Where do Router Interfaces get Their Names?
Router interfaces get their names when the router boots. A “device discovery” takes place and the names of the interfaces are generated based on a predicable method. On fixed interface routers (like the older 2500 series routers) the interfaces will always be the same. However, on newer routers like 2600, 3600, 3700, and Cisco 2800 series routers, interfaces can be modular. That means that the interfaces are cards (modules) that can be “plugged into” the router in different slots. Some of these interfaces are on WAN interface cards (WIC) and some are on Network Modules (NM). Other router interfaces will be built right onto the router. The newer model routers have different names for some of these slots like enhanced network modules (NME) and high-speed WIC (HWIC). However, for the purposes
