1 Crafted by Abhishek Kumar Chaudhary
Hardware Components/Modules/Sub-Components in
Switches and Routers
Cisco switches and routers combine CPU, RAM, Flash, ASIC, ports, and power
systems to provide high-performance, secure, and reliable networking.
(Not just Cisco, in every Vendor Device you will find different hardware installed)
In Cisco, generally we see by running the command
#show inventory
#Show module (generally works in Nexus and some catalyst models)
Let’s see some sample Outputs below:
Nexus7000# show module
Mod Ports Module-Type Model Status
--- ----- ----------------------------------- ------------------ ----------
1 24 10/40 Gbps Ethernet Module N77-F324FQ-25 ok
2 0 Supervisor Module-2 N77-SUP2E active *
Mod Sw Hw
--- --------------- ------
1 8.2(8) 1.4
2 8.2(8) 1.5
Mod MAC-Address(es) Serial-Num
--- -------------------------------------- ----------
1 80-24-8f-24-94-dc to 80-24-8f-24-95-4d JAE25XXXX
2 a0-3d-6e-ee-34-50 to a0-3d-6e-ee-34-62 JAE25XXXX
Mod Online Diag Status
--- ------------------
1 Pass
2 Pass
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Explanation line by line:
Module Information (Hardware Installed)
Mod Ports Module-Type Model Status
10/40 Gbps Ethernet N77-
1 24 ok
Module F324FQ-25
2 0 Supervisor Module-2 N77-SUP2E active *
Module 1:
• 24 ports of 10/40 Gbps Ethernet (used for data forwarding).
• Model: N77-F324FQ-25 (a line card for Nexus 7700 series).
• Status: "ok" → Working fine.
Module 2:
• Supervisor module (controls & manages the switch, runs IOS).
• Model: N77-SUP2E (Supervisor Engine for Nexus 7700).
• Status: "active *" → This module is the active one (handling control plane
functions).
**Supervisor Module** → ***A hardware Module designed to deliver scalable
control plane and management functions ***
(Will Upload the Document later explaining in detail about SUP Modules).
• Both modules are running software version 8.2(8).
• Hardware version differs slightly (1.4 for Module 1, 1.5 for Module 2).
o Module 1: MAC addresses 80-24-8f-24-94-dc to 80-24-8f-24-95-4d (used for
data forwarding).
o Module 2: MAC addresses a0-3d-6e-ee-34-50 to a0-3d-6e-ee-34-62 (used for
control functions).
o Serial numbers (JAE25XXXX, JAE25XXXX) uniquely identify the modules.
o Both modules passed diagnostic tests → No hardware issues detected.
Now Let’s Understand → (24 10/40 Gbps Ethernet Module) from above output.
1. Module has 24 Ethernet ports for network connectivity.
2. Each port supports 10 Gbps (default) or can be upgraded to 40 Gbps.
3. 10 Gbps Mode: Standard 10G Ethernet for server and switch uplinks.
4. 40 Gbps Mode: Uses QSFP+ transceivers for high-speed uplinks to core
networks.
QSFP+ → Quad Small Form-Factor Pluggable Plus
4 Lanes each carrying 10 Gbps, for a total of 40 Gbps. (Supports Both Fiber and
Copper)→ Mainly Fiber optics
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3 Crafted by Abhishek Kumar Chaudhary
***A line card is a removable module that provides network ports in a
chassis-based switch. ***
“Just an example of 24 Ports Line Card”
QSFP+ (it’s a break-out cable)
Means- 4X10G (4 separate 10Gbps links)
In Every Nexus 7000 and 9000 Series, you will find almost similar outputs,
They have 24 Ports or 48 Ports Ethernet Line cards of 1G or 10G each, along
with any SFP and QSFP+ Module (for forwarding data more than 10Gbps).
Commands:
Show module
Show module <1-30>
Show module fabric
Show module uptime
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Let’s Jump to Inventory
o Displays a list of installed hardware components with serial numbers and
product IDs (PID).
o Used for asset management, hardware tracking, and warranty checks.
Nexus9000# show inventory
NAME: "Chassis", DESCR: "Nexus9000 C9396PX Chassis"
PID: N9K-C9396PX , VID: V02 , SN: SALXXXXXXXX
NAME: "Slot 1", DESCR: "1/10G SFP+ Ethernet Module"
PID: N9K-C9396PX , VID: V02 , SN: SALXXXXXXXX
NAME: "Slot 2", DESCR: "40G Ethernet Expansion Module"
PID: N9K-M12PQ , VID: V01 , SN: SALXXXXXXXX
NAME: "Power Supply 1", DESCR: "Nexus9000 C9396PX Chassis Power Supply"
PID: N9K-PAC-650W-B , VID: V01 , SN: DCBXXXXXXXX
NAME: "Power Supply 2", DESCR: "Nexus9000 C9396PX Chassis Power Supply"
PID: N9K-PAC-650W-B , VID: V01 , SN: DCBXXXXXXXX
NAME: "Fan 1", DESCR: "Nexus9000 C9396PX Chassis Fan Module"
PID: N9K-C9300-FAN2-B , VID: V01 , SN: N/A
NAME: "Fan 2", DESCR: "Nexus9000 C9396PX Chassis Fan Module"
PID: N9K-C9300-FAN2-B , VID: V01 , SN: N/A
NAME: "Fan 3", DESCR: "Nexus9000 C9396PX Chassis Fan Module"
PID: N9K-C9300-FAN2-B , VID: V01 , SN: N/A
Explanation line by line:
Chassis (Main Hardware Unit)
✅Chassis Model → N9K-C9396PX
✅ Description → Nexus 9000 Series C9396PX Switch
✅ VID (Version ID) → V02 (hardware revision)
✅ SN (Serial Number) → SALXXXXXXXX
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Slot Modules (Network Interfaces)
✅ Module in Slot 1 → N9K-C9396PX
✅ Description → 48-port 1/10G SFP+ Ethernet Module
✅ Function → Provides 1Gbps and 10Gbps SFP+ ports for network connectivity.
✅ Module in Slot 2 → N9K-M12PQ
✅ Description → 12-port 40G Ethernet Expansion Module
✅ Function → Provides high-speed 40Gbps uplinks for data center interconnections.
Power Supplies (Redundant Power)
✅ Two Redundant Power Supplies → N9K-PAC-650W-B
✅ Each power supply is 650W
✅ Purpose → Provides power to the switch, ensuring redundancy in case one power
supply fails.
Cooling Fans (Cooling System)
✅ Three Cooling Fans → N9K-C9300-FAN2-B
✅ Purpose → Ensures proper cooling to prevent overheating.
✅ Serial Number: N/A → Some fan modules don’t have individual serial numbers. (but
that doesn’t applicable every time, FANS do have Serial Numbers)
<- Nexus 9000 Power Supply Module
Commands:
Show inventory all
Show inventory chassis
Show inventory fans
Show inventory module
Show inventory power_supply
Fan Module
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Let Come to Router
On Routers the command is #show platform (will give same output as what show
module was showing)
RouterISR4331#show platform
Chassis type: ISR4331/K9
Slot Type State Insert time (ago)
--------- ------------------- --------------------- -----------------
0 ISR4331/K9 ok 1y32w
0/0 ISR4331-3x1GE ok 1y32w
0/4 PVDM4-32 ok 1y32w
1 ISR4331/K9 ok 1y32w
R0 ISR4331/K9 ok, active 1y32w
F0 ISR4331/K9 ok, active 1y32w
P0 PWR-4330-AC ok 1y32w
P2 ACS-4330-FANASSY ok 1y32w
Slot CPLD Version Firmware Version
--------- ------------------- ---------------------------------------
0 17100927 16.7(3r)
1 17100927 16.7(3r)
R0 17100927 16.7(3r)
F0 17100927 16.7(3r)
Explanation line by line:
o Router Model → ISR4331/K9
o ISR (Integrated Services Router) 4331 is part of Cisco’s 4000 Series, used for
branch offices and enterprise networks.
o 📌 Slot 0 (Main Router) → ISR4331/K9 (OK, working fine)
📌 Slot 0/0 (Network Interface Module) → ISR4331-3x1GE (✅ 3x 1Gbps
Ethernet Ports)
📌 Slot 0/4 (DSP Module) → PVDM4-32 (✅ Digital Signal Processor for voice
processing)
📌 Slot 1 (Redundant Router Component) → Another ISR4331/K9 module
Purpose:
• ISR4331-3x1GE → Provides 3 x 1Gbps Ethernet interfaces for LAN/WAN connectivity.
• PVDM4-32 → Voice processing module (used in VoIP applications).
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• R0 (Route Processor) → Handles control plane operations (routing, protocols).
• F0 (Forwarding Processor) → Handles data plane operations (packet forwarding).
• Both are Active, meaning the router is fully functional.
• P0 (Power Supply) → PWR-4330-AC (AC Power Supply for ISR 4331).
• P2 (Fan Assembly) → ACS-4330-FANASSY (Cooling fan module).
• CPLD Version (17100927) → Hardware-level firmware for controlling internal hardware
operations.
• Firmware Version (16.7(3r)) → Cisco ROMMON (ROM Monitor) firmware used for
booting the router.
*** The Route Processor (RP) and Forwarding Processor (FP) are hardware components in
Cisco routers. ***, But in ISR 4000 series and smaller routers, RP and FP are part of the same
CPU but function separately.
(Will Upload the Document later explaining in detail about these RP and FP Modules).
Commands:
Show platform
Show platform diag
Show platform power
Show platform resources
Show platform hardware slot <slot-number>
(show inventory will give same information, FAN, POWER SUPPLY, CHASSIS and LINE
CARDS)
References:
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switches/[Link]
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[Link]
switches/[Link]#anchor670
[Link]
switches/Data_Sheet_C78-[Link]
[Link]
series-network-analysis-module-nam-nx1/data_sheet_c78-[Link]
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