Difference between MPU, LPU and SFU

Created: Oct 19, 2022 03:43:02Latest reply: Feb 2, 2023 15:50:27 1560 38 24 0 0
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The board of the network equipment can be divided into MPU, LPU, and SFU
according to the function.

Network devices are logically divided into the following three planes: data plane,
control plane, and management plane.
The data plane provides high-speed non-blocking data channels to implement
service switching between service modules.
The control plane performs the following functions: protocol processing, service
processing, route calculation, forwarding control, service scheduling, traffic statistics,
and system security.
The management plane monitors the running status of the system, monitors the
environment, processes logs, and alarms, loads the system, and upgrades the
system.

What is the MPU?

The full name of the MPU is Main Processing Unit, that is, the main control board.
Responsible for the control plane and management plane of the system, including
route calculation, device management and maintenance, and device monitoring. As
a system synchronization unit, it provides high-precision and high-reliability
synchronization clock and time signals. The main control board is like the
management layer of the post office and is not responsible for the specific express
processing (packet forwarding) work. The MPU interprets the device configuration
and then transmits it to the LPU.

CR5D0MPUB570 main control board

What Is an LPU?
The full name of an LPU is Line Processing Unit, which is also called an interface
board. The interface board with many interfaces is the interface board. Data packets
are received and sent through the interface board. Communications cables must be
connected to the interfaces of the interface board. The interface board provides
different types of interfaces (such as optical and electrical interfaces) and different
rates (such as 1000 Mbit/s, 10 Gbit/s, 25 Gbit/s, 40 Gbit/s, and 100 Gbit/s).
 CR5D0EKGFA72 interface board

What Is SFU?
The full name of the SFU is Switch Fabric Unit, that is, the switch blade. To send
packets from one interface to another interface, you need to connect the two
interfaces. In practice, however, packets may come in from any interface and go out
from any interface. If the point-to-point connection mode is used, too many
connection cables are required. To solve the problem of a large number of
connections, a switch blade is created. An interface board can communicate with
each other by connecting to the switch blade with only one cable. The switch blade is
one of the core components that determine the device performance. The switch
blade functions as the sorting center of the post office. The interface blade collects
data, sends the data to the switch blade for sorting, and then sends the data to the
interface blade. Its efficient and timely offloading capability plays a key role in device
performance.

CR5DSFUIT27R switching board

In addition, the device has other boards, such as Filler Panel, SRU, and SPU.
Filler panels are used to fill vacant slots for boards or sub-cards and provide
electromagnetic shielding to ensure that the chassis meets electromagnetic
radiation requirements. Fill vacant slots to ensure proper airflow for the chassis
cooling system. Prevent dust or foreign objects from entering the chassis. Prevent
internal circuits from being exposed.
The SRU is a routing and switching board. It is composed of the MPU and SFU.
Provides the control plane, management plane, and service switching plane of the
entire system.
 CR5D0SRUA770 Routing and Switching Board

The SPU is a service processing unit. Provides load balancing, firewall, NAT,
IPSec, and NetStream services for devices.