Port Types

A physical port is a set of signals on a connector interface. The physical port types are:

• Backplane Port (see Figure 26-1 on page 684). An IBA module plugs into this port type on the chassis backplane. This port type is electrical rather than fiber optic, and it contains all four signal groups.

  Figure 26-1. Backplane Port Signals

  

• Cable Port (see Figure 26-2 on page 685). This electrical port is implemented on the front edge of an IBA module and is implemented as a connector into which an electrical cable plugs. It only implements the Signaling group (not the Hardware Management Group, the Bulk Power Group, or the Auxiliary Power Group).

  Figure 26-2. Cable Port Signals

  

• Fiber Optic Port (see Figure 26-3 on page 685). This fiber optic port is implemented on the front edge of an IBA module and is implemented as a connector into which a fiber optic cable plugs. It only implements the Signaling group (not the Hardware Management Group, the Bulk Power Group, or the Auxiliary Power Group).

  Figure 26-3. Fiber Optic Port Signals