Hi there,

Advanced integration modules (AIMs) and packet voice data modules (PVDMs) install into connectors on the router motherboard. AIMs provide hardware-based support for additional features (may be security or compression for example) and offloading processor-intensive functions from the main CPU without reducing the LAN or WAN density of the Cisco platform by otherwise occupying an external modular slot. PVDMs are digital signal processor (DSP) SIMMs that provide voice support.Installation, replacement, and removal of AIMs and PVDMs require opening the cover of the Cisco router, or removing the motherboard of the Cisco router in some platforms.

Interface cards install either into slots in the rear of the router, or into slots in network modules (*). Interface cards come in the following types:

?WAN interface card (WIC)

?Voice interface card (VIC)

?Voice/data T1/E1 WAN interface card (VWIC)

?High-speed WAN interface card (HWIC) - Can't be installed into a NM, must be inserted into a router rear slot

* You can install any type of interface card?WIC, VIC, VWIC, or HWIC?into a router HWIC slot. HWICs must be installed directly into router slots, not into network modules.

The HWIC standard is a superset of the WIC standard. The enhancement of HWIC over WIC includes:

. An 8-bit transmit, 8-bit receive dial-on-demand routing (DDR) interface capable of up to 400-Mbps transfer - HWIC slots offer high data throughput capability

. Supports interface cards with higher power requirements (5W)

. A double-wide form factor option that supports up to 10W of power

. HWICs slots can also support WICs, VICs, and VWICs

Network modules install directly into slots in the rear of the router, and there are 4 types of modules (NM are physically bigger in size than interface cards - can be installed in 2600, 2800, 3600 and 3800 routers):

?Single-wide network module - also called NM or NME

?Extended single-wide network module (needs the removal of the slot adaptor) - also called NME-X

?Double-wide network module (needs the removal of the slot divider) - also called NMD

?Extended double-wide network module (needs the removal of both the slot divider and the slot adaptor) - also called NME-XD

Note: A single-wide NM can be inserted into 1 slot in the rear of a router, while double-wide NM needs 2 router rear slots to be insterted into it.

Certain network module configurations require the installation or removal of a slot divider in the module slot.

NOTE: You can google to see pics for NM and interface cards.

HTH,

Mohammed Mahmoud.