Cisco HWIC-2FE

Cisco HWIC-2FE – Dual Fast Ethernet WAN Interface Card

The Cisco HWIC-2FE is a high-speed WAN interface card (HWIC) designed to provide two 10/100 Mbps Ethernet ports for WAN connectivity in Cisco Integrated Services Routers (ISRs). This dual-port Fast Ethernet module allows organizations to add more Ethernet-based WAN connections, enhancing both performance and flexibility in enterprise or branch network deployments.

With support for advanced routing protocols, network security, quality of service (QoS), and extensive manageability, the HWIC-2FE is a cost-effective way to extend the functionality of Cisco routers. It provides excellent scalability and integration for services like video conferencing, large file transfers, IP voice, and VPNs.

Key Product Features

• Interface: 2 x RJ-45 10/100Base-TX ports
• Supported Speeds: 10 Mbps (Ethernet), 100 Mbps (Fast Ethernet)
• Hot Swappable: Yes, supports hot insertion/removal with supported routers
• Routing Features: Supports dynamic and static routing, VLANs, bridging, IP routing
• Security: Built-in VPN support with IPSec, GRE, L2TPv3, ACLs
• Protocols: TCP/IP, DHCP, NAT, MPLS, PPPoE, IGMP, HSRP, GLBP
• Management: SNMP MIBs including ENTITY-MIB, IF-MIB, RMON-MIB, and more

Designed for Integrated Services Routers

The HWIC-2FE card is designed to be compatible with Cisco ISR G1/G2 series such as 1841, 2800, 2900, 3800, and 3900 series routers. By using this plug-in module, administrators can expand the routing capacity of existing infrastructure without the need for standalone Ethernet switches or appliances. This integration helps reduce operational complexity and cost.

Use Cases & Benefits

• Branch Office Connectivity: Extend WAN links to branch locations with secure and manageable Ethernet interfaces.
• VPN & Security Services: Enable IPsec VPN and GRE tunnels directly from the router interface card for remote site security.
• Failover and Redundancy: Use both Ethernet ports for link redundancy using HSRP (Hot Standby Router Protocol) or GLBP (Gateway Load Balancing Protocol).
• Service Provider Integration: Connect to Metro Ethernet or broadband provider networks via Fast Ethernet interfaces.
• Scalable Performance: Add multiple HWIC-2FE cards across modular ISR platforms for scalable and distributed routing deployments.

Comprehensive Protocol and Feature Support

The HWIC-2FE supports a rich set of networking and transport protocols essential for modern WAN environments:

• IPv6 & IPv4 Dual Stack Support
• IPSec, GRE, L2TPv3 Tunneling Protocols
• DHCP Server and Relay
• QoS with traffic shaping and classification
• Multicast support via IGMP
• Network Address Translation (NAT)
• MGCP for VoIP Integration

Management & Monitoring Capabilities

Network admins can efficiently manage and monitor the HWIC-2FE using SNMP and various Cisco MIBs:

• ENTITY-MIB
• IF-MIB
• RMON-MIB
• OLD-CISCO-CHASSIS-MIB
• ETHERLIKE-MIB
• CISCO-ENT-ASSET-MIB
• CISCO-ENTITY-FRU-CONTROL-MIB

These allow real-time visibility into performance metrics, interface utilization, temperature, voltage, and more for proactive maintenance.

Security Features

With native support for Access Control Lists (ACLs), VPN capabilities (IPsec, GRE), and segmentation, the HWIC-2FE helps implement secure communication between routers and remote offices. Its security design supports:

• Secure Site-to-Site Tunnels
• Encrypted WAN Access
• Layer 2 and Layer 3 filtering

Physical & Environmental Specifications

Compliance & Standards

The HWIC-2FE is fully compliant with the following standards:

• EN300386 – Telecommunication network equipment
• EN55024 and CISPR24 – Immunity standards
• EN50082-1 – EMC standard for residential and light industrial environments
• TCP/IP, L2TP, PPPoE protocol support

Compatible Cisco Routers

This module is supported by a wide range of Cisco Integrated Services Routers:

• Cisco 1841 ISR
• Cisco 2800 Series (2811, 2821, 2851)
• Cisco 2900 Series (2911, 2921, 2951)
• Cisco 3800 Series (3825, 3845)
• Cisco 3900 Series (3925, 3945)

Always check Cisco’s official hardware and software compatibility matrix for latest platform support.

FAQs – Frequently Asked Questions

• Q: Can I use both ports at the same time?
  A: Yes, both Ethernet ports on the HWIC-2FE can be used simultaneously for routing, redundancy, or different WAN uplinks.
• Q: Does it require a software license?
  A: No additional software license is required for the HWIC-2FE itself, but some advanced features (e.g., VPN, MPLS) may require appropriate IOS feature sets.
• Q: Is the module hot swappable?
  A: Yes, in most supported routers, HWIC modules are hot swappable, but a reboot is sometimes recommended to ensure clean recognition.
• Q: Does this card support IPv6?
  A: Yes, the HWIC-2FE fully supports dual-stack (IPv4/IPv6) operations.

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Official Cisco Documentation

For complete details, compatibility matrices, and software release support, visit the Cisco HWIC-2FE Product Datasheet.