Description
Product Overview of the Cisco HWIC-16A Interface Card
The HWIC-16A is a High-Speed WAN Interface Card (HWIC) from Cisco that allows for the expansion of asynchronous connectivity on Cisco routers. It provides 16 asynchronous serial ports, each with its own DCE/DTE connection, and supports data rates up to 57.6 Kbps. It can be used to connect to a variety of serial-based WAN technologies such as T1/E1, ISDN BRI, and RS-232. It is a physical card that can be inserted into a Cisco router’s expansion slot to provide additional connectivity options.
The Cisco HWIC-16A is an interface card designed to provide high-speed connectivity for wide-area network (WAN) applications. Featuring 16 asynchronous serial ports, this interface card offers versatile connectivity options for networking devices, enabling efficient data transmission across networks.
Understanding Interface Cards and Their Functions
Interface cards, like the HWIC-16A, are hardware components used in networking devices to expand their capabilities. These cards provide additional ports or interfaces to connect devices or networks, facilitating efficient communication and data transfer.
Features of Cisco HWIC-16A Interface Card16 Asynchronous Serial Ports
The HWIC-16A offers 16 asynchronous serial ports, allowing multiple devices to connect and communicate across a network.
High-Speed Connectivity
The interface card supports high-speed data transfer, ensuring efficient transmission of data across wide-area networks.
Versatile Connectivity Options
With multiple ports, this card offers diverse connectivity choices for various devices and network types.
Importance of Interface Cards in Network Environments
Interface cards offer several advantages in networking environments:
Enhanced Connectivity
Interface cards expand the connectivity options of networking devices, allowing more devices to connect to a network.
Scalability
With additional ports, interface cards enable network scalability, accommodating growing network requirements.
Efficient Data Transmission
High-speed interface cards like the HWIC-16A facilitate fast and reliable data transmission across networks.
Benefits of Using Cisco HWIC-16A Interface CardMultiple Serial Ports
The HWIC-16A’s 16 serial ports provide ample connectivity for numerous devices or network expansions.
High-Speed Data Transfer
Support for high-speed data transfer ensures efficient communication and data transmission within the network.
Versatile Connectivity
The interface card’s multiple ports offer flexibility in connecting various devices or networking setups.
Use Cases for Cisco HWIC-16A Interface CardLarge-Scale Networking Setups
Ideal for large-scale networks requiring multiple asynchronous serial ports for efficient communication.
Industrial Environments
Suitable for industrial settings needing reliable and high-speed connectivity for machines or devices.
Network Expansions
Useful for expanding existing networks by adding more ports for increased connectivity.
High-Performance
The model Cisco 16-Port Asynchronous High-Speed WAN Interface Card is designed to provide high-performance connectivity for wide area networks. It offers 16 asynchronous serial ports that support data rates up to 2Mbps per port, allowing for a maximum aggregate throughput of 32Mbps. The card also supports a wide range of WAN protocols, including PPP, HDLC, and Frame Relay, providing flexibility in terms of configuration and compatibility with various types of serial-based WAN connections, such as T1, E1, and ISDN.
The card also provides advanced features such as Quality of Service (QoS) and security to ensure reliable and secure communication. The QoS feature allows you to prioritize and shape traffic to ensure that critical data is transmitted with the highest priority, while security features such as encryption and access control help to prevent unauthorized access to the network.
In addition, the HWIC-16A is designed to be easy to install and manage. It can be installed in a Cisco router and can be configured and managed using Cisco’s IOS software, which provides a user-friendly interface and a wide range of management tools.
Reliability of WAN Interface Card
The HWIC-16A Cisco 16-port asynchronous high-speed WAN interface card has several reliability features that help to ensure its continued operation in the event of a failure.
- Redundant power supply: The card is designed with a redundant power supply, which means that it can continue to operate even if one of the power supplies fails. This helps to ensure that the network remains up and running in the event of a power failure.
- Redundant cooling: The card also has redundant cooling, which helps to ensure that it continues to operate even if one of the cooling systems fails. This helps to prevent overheating and reduce the risk of equipment failure.
- Error detection and correction: The card is designed to detect and correct errors that may occur during data transmission, which helps to ensure the integrity of the data being transmitted.
- Diagnostics: The card provides a range of diagnostic and troubleshooting features, including LED indicators, which can help identify and resolve issues quickly.
General Information about this Cisco HWIC-16A
- Manufacturer: Cisco
- Part Number or SKU # HWIC-16A
- Product Name: 16-Port Async High-Speed WAN Interface Card
- Product Type: HWIC (High-Speed WAN Interface Card)
Technical Information
- Application/Usage: Wide Area Network
Interfaces/Ports
- Interfaces/Ports: 16 x Asynchronous Serial WAN
- Interfaces/Ports Details: 16 x Asynchronous Serial WAN
Performance
- Data Transfer Rate: 230.40 Kbps Maximum Asynchronous
Management & Protocols
- Protocols: X.25
- Protocols: SDLC
- Protocols: TCP/IP
Controls/Indicators
- Status Indicators
- CONN
Environmental Conditions
- Temperature: 32°F (0°C) to 104°F (40°C) Operating
- Temperature: -4°F (-20°C) to 149°F (65°C) Storage
- Humidity: 10% to 90% Non-condensing Relative Humidity
Miscellaneous
- Additional Information
- The HWIC-16A uses 8-port cables with a high-density 60-pin connector on the HWIC side, and 8 RJ-45 plugs on the other end
- The RJ-45 plugs can connect directly to the console ports of Cisco routers and switches, or to other equipment by using RJ-45 to DB-25 adapters
- DCN (Data Communications Network)
- Dialup Remote Access
Lead Manipulation
- Network Clock Synchronization
- Systems Network Architecture (SNA)
In summary, the Cisco HWIC-16A Interface Card, featuring 16 asynchronous serial ports, high-speed connectivity, and versatile connectivity options, stands as a valuable component for networking setups. Its multiple serial ports, high-speed data transfer capabilities, and versatility make it suitable for various applications, including large-scale networks, industrial environments, and network expansions. Cisco’s commitment to reliable networking solutions positions the HWIC-16A as a valuable asset for efficient and scalable network infrastructures.
