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Q
What is a Cisco EHWIC WAN Card?
A
A Cisco Enhanced High-Speed WAN Interface Card (EHWIC) is a modular network interface designed for Cisco ISR routers, providing flexible WAN connectivity such as T1/E1, serial, Fiber, or DSL services.
Q
Which Cisco routers support EHWIC WAN Cards?
A
EHWIC WAN Cards are supported on Cisco 1900, 2900, 3900, 4000 and 4400 Series Integrated Services Routers, each offering one or more EHWIC slots for modular expansion.
Q
How do I install an EHWIC WAN Card into a compatible router?
A
Power off the router, insert the EHWIC card into an available EHWIC slot until it clicks, secure it with the captive screw, then power on and verify detection with the show hw-module command.
Q
What bandwidth and performance do EHWIC cards support?
A
EHWIC cards support up to 50 Mbps per card and deliver scalable performance based on the router’s performance license tier, ensuring optimal throughput for enterprise applications.
Q
Which WAN interface types are available on EHWIC cards?
A
EHWIC cards offer T1/E1, serial, DS3/E3, Fast Ethernet, Gigabit Ethernet, ADSL/ADSL2+, VDSL2, and SFP-based fiber interfaces to suit diverse WAN deployments.
Q
How do I configure an EHWIC WAN Card for serial connectivity?
A
Enter global configuration mode, use the interface serial slot/port command, assign IP addressing and encapsulation (for example HDLC or PPP), then enable the interface with no shutdown.
Q
Can Cisco EHWIC cards support DSL connections?
A
Yes, Cisco offers EHWIC-DSL cards such as EHWIC-ADSL and EHWIC-VDSL, which support ADSL/ADSL2+ and VDSL2 lines for broadband WAN access.
Q
Are EHWIC WAN Cards hot-swappable?
A
No, EHWIC cards are not hot-swappable. You must power down the router before inserting or removing an EHWIC to avoid hardware damage or configuration errors.
Q
How can I troubleshoot an EHWIC card that is not detected?
A
Verify physical seating and screw tightness, power-cycle the router, then check the output of show hw-module and show platform hardware slot to confirm hardware recognition.
Q
What is the difference between EHWIC and HWIC cards?
A
EHWIC cards support higher throughput (up to 50 Mbps) and operate on the enhanced bus of ISR G2/4000 Series routers, while legacy HWIC cards are limited to 45 Mbps and compatible with older ISR models.
Q
How many EHWIC slots does a Cisco ISR router typically have?
A
ISR G2 models (1900/2900/3900 Series) include two EHWIC slots, while ISR 4000 Series routers provide two to three Enhanced Modular slots for EHWIC and other modular interface cards.
Q
What packet forwarding rate can I expect from an EHWIC card?
A
An EHWIC card can forward up to 38,000 packets per second (pps), depending on the router’s performance license and overall system load.
Q
Which WAN protocols do EHWIC WAN Cards support?
A
EHWIC WAN Cards support HDLC, PPP, Frame Relay, ATM, MPLS, and pseudowire technologies, enabling connectivity across legacy and modern carrier networks.
Q
Can I run dynamic routing protocols over an EHWIC WAN Card?
A
Yes, EHWIC cards fully support dynamic routing protocols such as OSPF, EIGRP, BGP, and IS-IS, ensuring seamless integration into enterprise WAN topologies.
Q
How do I verify the operational status of an EHWIC card?
A
Use the show controllers and show interfaces commands to view line protocol status, carrier detect, CRC errors and interface statistics for the installed EHWIC module.
Q
Where can I purchase genuine Cisco EHWIC WAN Cards?
A
Purchase authentic Cisco EHWIC WAN Cards through Cisco’s authorized resellers, the Cisco Online Store, or certified distribution partners to ensure warranty and support coverage.
