Alcatel Lucent ASM2-155FM-2W-4C Switch Fabric Module

The Alcatel Lucent ASM2‑155FM‑2W‑4C (also referenced as ASM2155FM2W4C) is a high‑performance switch fabric module designed for the 7750 SR service router platform. This module serves as the central switching engine, interconnecting all I/O modules and control processors to provide non‑blocking, wire‑speed data transfer across the chassis. It delivers up to 155 Gbps of fabric capacity and incorporates advanced traffic management and redundancy features essential for carrier‑grade networks.

Overview

The ASM2‑155FM‑2W‑4C is part of the 7750 SR’s modular architecture, enabling the platform to scale for core, edge, and aggregation roles. Installed in dedicated fabric slots, the module provides multiple redundant fabric channels to each line card, ensuring that traffic can be re‑routed in case of a fabric link failure. It employs a distributed scheduling algorithm to eliminate head‑of‑line blocking and guarantee deterministic latency for real‑time services.

Key Features

• Switching capacity: 155 Gbps (full‑duplex)

• Advanced fabric load‑balancing with per‑flow hashing

• Supports hitless failover with N+1 fabric redundancy

• Integrated fabric diagnostics and loopback testing

• Backward compatible with earlier fabric generations

• Low latency (sub‑microsecond) for jitter‑sensitive applications

• Hot‑swappable for in‑service upgrades

Technical Specifications

• Fabric Capacity: 155 Gbps (full‑duplex) per module

• Number of Fabric Channels: Multiple high‑speed serial links to each slot

• Channel Speed: 10 Gbps per channel (SerDes)

• Redundancy Mode: N+1 (one spare fabric module per chassis)

• Packet Buffer per Module: 256 MB

• Power Consumption: 150 W typical

• Operating Temperature: 0°C to 45°C

• Dimensions: Standard 7750 SR slot format

Applications

The ASM2‑155FM is essential for high‑throughput applications such as core routing, large‑scale VPN aggregation, and data center interconnect. It enables the 7750 SR platform to support millions of forwarding entries and tens of thousands of MPLS labels, making it suitable for Tier‑1 service providers and cloud operators.

Compatibility

This module is compatible with 7750 SR‑7 and SR‑12 chassis that support the ASM2 fabric. It works with all compatible I/O modules and control processors. Software support is provided from SR OS release 10.0 and later.

Installation and Redundancy

Installation involves inserting the module into the designated fabric slot and securing it with captive screws. The chassis can operate with one or more ASM2 modules; for full redundancy, at least two modules are recommended. The system automatically rebalances traffic across active fabric modules if a module is inserted or removed, without interrupting data flow.

Conclusion

The Alcatel Lucent ASM2‑155FM‑2W‑4C switch fabric module delivers high‑capacity, fault‑tolerant switching for the 7750 SR platform. Its robust performance and seamless integration make it a critical component for building scalable, reliable IP/MPLS networks.