14 Rev 2.2 • 27 Mar 10
1. Introduction
Signal Rates and Flow
& 8. Crosspoint cards can not be installed individually in slots. For example, you could install cros-
spoint cards in slots 1, 2, 5 and 6. But you could not install crosspoint cards in only slots 1, 3, and 5.
Backplane Connectors and Individual Signal Numbers
When making physical connections to a router, each connector on a backplane has a unique signal
number assigned. Signal numbers are assigned to each connector based on two factors: 1) where
individual connectors are located on the backplane, and 2) where in the router frame the backplane
is installed.
Connector Location and Signal Number
Each connector on a backplane corresponds to a signal number. Signal numbers are assigned from
top-to-bottom in ascending order. The lowest signal number is assigned to the top connector with
each connector below being assigned the next incremental number. For example, if a backplane
corresponds to an input card installed in Input Slot 1, the nine connectors correspond to signals 1–9,
with 1 being the top connector, 2 being the connector directly below 1, 3 being the connector below
2, and so on. Similarly, if an input card is installed in Input Slot 2, the associated backplane connec-
tors would correspond to signals 10–18, with 10 being the top connector, 11 the next connector
below 10, and so on.
For an enumeration of the NV8576 and NV8576-Plus I/O connectors and corresponding signal
number, see NV8576 I/O Signal Numbering
on page 119.