Overview

Choosing between the Huawei H901MPLA and H901MPLB main control boards for the SmartAX MA5800 series OLT is a crucial decision for network architects. The core distinction lies in the switching capacity, which directly dictates the system's throughput potential and scalability. This FAQ covers the essential technical differences to guide your hardware selection and post-sales operations.

Frequently Asked Questions

Q1: What is the maximum switching throughput difference between the H901MPLA and H901MPLB?

The primary difference is that the H901MPLB offers double the per-slot bandwidth of the H901MPLA, with 200 Gbit/s compared to 100 Gbit/s in load sharing mode . This means the H901MPLB delivers a total system switching capacity of up to 7 Tbit/s, whereas the H901MPLA provides 3.2 Tbit/s . This makes the MPLB the superior choice for high-density, high-traffic core networks.

Q2: Does the H901MPLA and H901MPLB support the same optical modules?

Yes, both the H901MPLA and H901MPLB share the same physical uplink interface configuration, featuring 4 x 10GE/GE SFP+/SFP ports . Consequently, they support the same range of SFP, SFP+, and 10GE optical transceivers. The crucial compatibility factor is the uplink port speed, which is 10GE for both boards, ensuring flexibility for various fiber optic connections.

Q3: Is the forwarding performance (Mpps) different between the two boards?

Yes, the forwarding performance scales with the switching capacity. While the H901MPLB achieves a line-rate forwarding capacity of up to 200 Gbit/s, enabling a maximum packet forwarding rate of 297.6 Mpps (for 64-byte packets), the H901MPLA operates at half this rate, with a maximum of 148.8 Mpps . This makes the MPLB essential for networks handling high volumes of small packets.

Q4: How does the backplane capacity differ from previous generation control boards?

The H901MPLA and H901MPLB represent a significant generational leap over older Huawei OLT control boards. For instance, the MA5680T series SCUN board offered only 10 Gbit/s per slot, while the SCUH offered 20 Gbit/s . The MPLA's 100 Gbit/s and MPLB's 200 Gbit/s per slot represent a 5x and 10x increase, respectively, supporting modern 10G PON and high-bandwidth 100GE uplinks .

Q5: What are the basic CLI configuration differences for these boards?

From a CLI (Command-Line Interface) perspective, both boards run the same Huawei software and share identical management commands. The primary difference is in the "load balancing mode" configuration, which is used to double processing performance. Both H901MPLA and H901MPLB support 1+1 active/standby switchover and ISSU for zero-downtime upgrades .

Q6: How do I troubleshoot a redundant power failover scenario?

Troubleshooting a power failover requires checking the hardware status via CLI. Use the command `display power` to verify the status of both power supply units (PSUs). For redundancy, ensure PSUs are connected to different power sources. If a failover occurs, monitor the alarms with `display alarm active`. Both H901MPLA and MPLB support automatic switchover; a failure to switch over typically indicates a hardware fault in the backup PSU .