Introduction

Network Interface Modules

Platform
Napatech SmartNIC
Content Type
User Guide

In this document

This document explains the use of network interface modules (NIMs) with the Napatech SmartNICs.

Overview

A NIM is the interface between the line, whether this is an optical fiber or a copper line, and the PHY. The NIM can be plugged or unplugged while the system is running. There are different types of NIMs: QSFP28, CFP4, QSFP+, SFP28, SFP+ and SFP modules. They have different mechanical form factors and different electrical/optical properties.
Note: Bidirectional QSFP+ modules are not required to have sensors.

A NIM contains registers that can be read from and/or written to by the system via an I2C or MDIO bus.