16 BigIron RX Installation Guide53-1001811-01Hardware features1The front panel includes eight Mini RJ-21 Connectors that support six 10/100/1000 GigabitEthernet ports each. Figure 10 shows the ports that are supported per RJ-21 connector. A cableconnects from the RJ-21 connector on the interface module to a Mini RJ-21 connector on a patchpanel. At the patch panel, the ports are broken out into individual RJ-45 connectors for each port.Cables and patch panels that support this module are available through any Tyco Internationaldistribution partner. Information about these products is available at the following URL:www.ampnetconnect.com/foundrynetworksSwitch fabric moduleThe switch fabric module switches uses packets from one interface module installed in a chassis toanother. The BigIron RX Series switches can be configured with switch fabric modules asdescribed:• BigIron RX-4: Accommodates three switch fabric elements with two required and oneredundant for a fully loaded system. It is shipped with two switch fabric elements. You mustpurchase an additional switch fabric element if you want your BigIron RX-4 equipped forredundancy.• BigIron RX-8: Accommodates three switch fabric elements with two required and oneredundant for a fully loaded system. It is shipped with two switch fabric elements. You mustpurchase an additional switch fabric element if you want your BigIron RX-8 equipped forredundancy.• BigIron RX-16: Accommodates four switch fabric elements with three required and oneredundant for a fully loaded system. It is shipped with three switch fabric elements. You mustpurchase an additional switch fabric element if you want your BigIron RX-16 equipped forredundancy.• BigIron RX-32: Accommodates and is shipped with eight switch fabric elements. Use with fewerthan the minimum number could result in performance degradation.NOTEThe switch fabric elements used for the BigIron RX-4 are a different part than those used on theBigIron RX-8, BigIron RX-16, and BigIron RX-32.Also, the switch fabric elements used for the BigIron RX-32 are different than those used on theBigIron RX-4, BigIron RX-8, and BigIron RX-16.NOTEThe BigIron RX Series switch fabric module is dedicated, which means that it functions properly inthe BigIron RX Series chassis only. If you attempt to install a BigIron RX Series switch fabric modulein another Brocade chassis or a switch fabric module intended for another Brocade chassis in theBigIron RX Series chassis, the chassis and switch fabric module will not function properly.Figure 11 shows the switch fabric module’s front panel.
