The standalone RSM, which is a full-featured Cisco IOS router similar to a Cisco 7500 series router, is designed for interVLAN multiprotocol routing within and between Catalyst 5000 series switches. You can use the RSM as a standalone interVLAN router or add a Catalyst VIP2 to provide direct external network connections through a variety of media with the same port adapters used on Cisco 7500 series routers. The RSM/VIP2 combination provides routing between Catalyst VIP2 port adapters and between VLANs and Catalyst VIP2 port adapters. The Catalyst VIP2 supports any combination of Catalyst VIP2 port adapter-based network interface types. The RSM/VIP2 is a double-wide card module that occupies two consecutive Catalyst 5000, Catalyst 5505, or Catalyst 5500 slots.