The Cisco Edge Services Router (ESR) Gigabit Ethernet interface module addresses the growing demand among Internet service providers (ISPs) for Intra-POP interconnect. Gigabit Ethernet technology is preferred by many service providers because it is standards-based, is widely implemented by many vendors and offers excellent performance. The Gigabit Ethernet module in the Cisco ESR provides a cost-effective high performance uplink to backbone routers such as the Gigabit Switch Router (GSR). By using Gigabit Interface Converter (GBIC) technology, the Cisco ESR Gigabit Ethernet module provides the interface flexibility customers require in their rapidly evolving POPs.The Gigabit Ethernet module is an 802.3z standards-based interface module, which provides a high bandwidth yet cost-effective uplink solution for the Cisco ESR. The Gigabit Ethernet module occupies a full interface slot in the Cisco ESR (with no slot dependency), is hot swappable, and multiple modules can be configured in the chassis to support network layer redundancy or different destinations. The module supports a single gigabit Ethernet interface based on GBIC technology enabling the user to select between a variety of gigabit Ethernet interface types (SX, LX/LH, ZX), which can be changed or upgraded at any time.