EX6-3
Network Packet Broker
The EX6-3 offers 48 x 10/100/1000 Mbps and 4 x 10 Gbps optical ports, a comprehensive feature set, and an intuitive Web GUI.
Networks are in different stages of evolution and some networks do not need high bandwidth. EX6-3 offers optical access from 10 Mbps to 10 Gbps bandwidth. This allows filtering and aggregation of several inputs to 4 x 10 Gbps outputs in load balanced mode. The EX6-3, with a compelling list of features, is an excellent option for deployment in these environments.
EX6-3 Network Packet Broker provides packet filtering, either dropping packets that match the filtering criteria or sending them to a desired port. This allows traffic blocking and also sending required packets to monitoring tools. GRE encapsulation can be used for outgoing packets to enable routed packet delivery. EX6-3 also supports VLAN and VXLAN. More advanced features include time stamping and packet slicing.
The EX6-3 excels in mixed fibre / copper environments where tools with RJ45 interfaces need access to fibre connections. 48 SFP and 4 SFP+ interfaces offer plenty of connectivity. A common scenario is to have 10 – 1000 Mbps fiber connected to EX6-3 SFP ports and the traffic aggregated to the 10 Gbps SFP+ ports. The output towards other tools can be optical or electric by using copper transceivers that convert optical signal into electric, allowing RJ-45 to be used on the tool end.
The EX6-3 is an excellent option bridging the gap between fibre and copper and between 10/100/1000 Mbps and 10Gbps.
Main Features of EX6-3
- Filters and load balances traffic from 10 Gbps links to multiple 1 Gbps monitoring tools
- Aggregates multiple 1 Gbps links to 10 Gbps monitoring tools
- 48 x 10/100/1000 Base-X (SFP) ports
- 4 x 10 Gbps (SFP+)
- Supports traffic modifications up to layer 4 as well as changing, removing and adding VLAN and GRE tags/tunnels
- Up to 3500 parallel rules
- IPv6 support
- 2-year warranty period
Functions & Benefits of EX6-3
- Filtering and Load Balancing from L2 to L4
- Easy to configure: Via Web GUI
- GRE / VXLAN Tunnel support: The Packetmaster EX6-3,
like all Packetmaster Series NPBs, can function as a GRE / VXLAN tunnel endpoint.
- Session aware load balancing, up to 15 load balancing groups
- Cubro Vitrum Management Suite: EX6-3 is fully compatible with Cubro Vitrum, a centralized management platform for all Cubro network visibility solutions.
Extended Functions
The management host controller of every Packetmaster EX unit runs a minimal Debian Linux OS as the operating system. This Linux OS natively supports core Unix shell commands and utilites, shell scripting, Python 2.7, and the VI text editor. This allows the user to create and run custom scripts and command sets to extend the functionality of the Packetmaster EX for their environment. Cubro can also create custom application for the customers specific needs as well.
Examples:
- A Python script reads files from a server and creates filters based on this changing data.
- A Python script dynamically changes filters based on link load data collected from another Packetmaster
- A shell script pings different devices and changes filter rules based on ping response.
| Link/Port Aggregation | Aggregation many to any, and any to many at all link speeds |
| 10 Gbps traffic demultiplexer | The traffic can be easily demultiplexed into 48 lower speed Gbps ports to monitor highly loaded 10 Gbps links. |
| Jumbo Frame Support | The Packetmaster supports jumbo Ethernet frames with a size of up to 12000 bytes |
| Support of IPv4 and IPv6 | Yes |
| Ports | 48 x SFP 1 Gbps 4 x SPF+ 10 Gbps 1 x 10/100/1000 Base-T (Management) 1 x RS232 Console |
| Configuration/ Communication | Web GUI, CLI via SSH or Telnet, REST API, SNMP, RADIUS |
| Bandwidth | 176 Gbps backplane 100 % throughput without any packet loss |
| Aggregation latency | Average 1 µs for 64-byte frames |
| MTBF | 196.750 hours |
| Different Power Versions | 100- 230V AC dual power supply (DC power modules available) |
Inputs
- 48 x 1 Gbps full duplex SFP Ports for any kind of SFP
- 4 x 10 Gbps full duplex SFP+ Ports
- Each port can be input and / or output depending on the application and configuration
Outputs
- 48 x 1 Gbps full duplex SFP Ports for any kind of SFP
- 4 x 10 Gbps full duplex
- SFP Ports for any kind of SFP/SFP+
- Each port can be input or / and output depending on the application and configuration
Performance
- Performance up to 176 Gbps
- Non-blocking design
- Estimated boot time up to 280 sec
- Packet delay through processing less than 1 µs
Management
- RJ45 10/100 Mbps; ssh and/or Web
- GUI
- RS-232 Serial; CLI
Operating specifications
- Operating Temperature: 0ºC to 45ºC
- Storage Temperature: -10ºC to 70ºC
- Relative Humidity: 10% min, 95% max (non-condensing)
Mechanical specifications
- Dimension (W X D X H): 44 X 37 X 4.36 cm
- Weight: 6,25 kg (Includes 2 Power Modules)
- Airflow: Front-back
- Quantity of Fans: 3
- (NOT Hot swappable)
Electrical specifications
- Input Power: 100-240V
- Maximum Power Consumption: 70W
Certifications
- Fully RoHS compliant
- CE compliant
- Safety – UL 60950-1 / CSA C22.2 60950-1-07 / IEC 60950-1 (2005) EN 60950-1 (2006)
Filtering
3500 flow rules (filters) can be set in the unit. The red dot marked fields can be used as a match for a packet, stand-alone, combined or with wild cards. For IP Src and IP Dst supernets are supported.
Available actions after a positive match include
- Output: Forward the traffic to one or more ports (even the input port)
- Drop: Drop (discard) the traffic
- Modify: Modify header information such as VLAN tag, MPLS label, source MAC, destination MAC, source IP, destination IP, source Port, and destination Port.
- Add VLAN tag: The Packetmaster EX units can add or append VLAN tags to the filtered traffic to separate or identify it after aggregation/output. (Up to six VLAN tags are possible).
- Strip VLAN: Remove VLAN tag(s) (Q in Q support)
- Rule Priority/Rule Stacking: The ability to prioritize filtering rules allows for very complex filtering possibilities.
Session Aware Load Balancing
The EX6-3 supports Session Aware Load balancing by means of selectable hash-criteria.
Thus, every packet that belongs to the same conversation/flow is sent to the same output port within a load-balancing group.
Product Components
- EX6-3
- AC, DC power modules available
- Europe/US/UK power cords available
| Part Number | Description |
|---|---|
| CUB.PM-EX6-3 | Packetmaster EX6-3, 48x1G and 4x10G Network Packet Broker |
| CUB.PM-DC-D | DC Power supply module for Cubro Packetmaster EX5-3 and EX6-3 |
| CUB.RR19-1U | Universal Rackrail Kit for 1U 19″ units (Packet/Sessionmaster) |
Spare parts
| Part Number | Description |
|---|---|
| CUB.PM-AC-D | AC Power supply module for CUBRO Packetmaster EX5-3 and EX6-3 |
| CUB.PM-DC-D | DC Power supply module for CUBRO Packetmaster EX5-3 and EX6-3 |
Additional Resources
Cubro Packetmaster Port Configuration
using the Web GUI
Cubro Packetmaster Split QSFP Interface
using the CLI
Rules and Filters Part 1: Basic Traffic Flows
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