Cisco Launches Next Generation Catalyst 6500 and 10 GigE Modules

Cisco Systems introduced new high-performance interfaces and functionality modules for its Catalyst 6500 Series multiplayer Switch, including a new Cisco Catalyst 6500 Supervisor Engine 720, two-port and four-port 10 Gigabit Ethernet modules, and two 48-port 10/100/1000 Ethernet modules. The Catalyst 6500, also known as Constellation 2, is deployed in many large enterprise networks, as well as a number of metro service providers such as Bredbandsbolaget (B2).


The new supervisor engine is based on an integrated 720 Gbps switch fabric, and scales Cisco Catalyst 6500 performance to 400 million packets per second (Mbps) for IPv4. The Catalyst 6500 Supervisor Engine 720 enables system port densities to be increased and additional service modules to be installed. The new supervisor engine also accelerates IPv6, MPLS, NAT, and General Routing Encapsulation in hardware. It also supports existing Catalyst interface and network services modules.


New Cisco Globally Resilient IP (GRIP) features in the supervisor engine include Virtual Router Redundancy Protocol and Gateway Load Balancing Protocol which enable administrators to load-balance network traffic across traditionally inactive redundant routers or switches and utilize inactive backup links.


A Time Domain Reflectometer (TDR), integrated into the new 48-port 10/100/1000 modules, can detect cable failures. The new modules are also the first 10/100/1000 modules with support for a field-upgradeable in-line power daughter card.


The 4-port 10 Gigabit Ethernet module enables up to 32 10 Gigabit Ethernet ports and can be consolidated in a single chassis, featuring 40 Gbps per slot connections to the 720 Gbps switch fabric. The module uses Xenpak modular optics.


The 2-port 10 Gigabit Ethernet module features 150 millisecond buffers and advanced traffic-shaping capabilities to mitigate network congestion. The module also features 40 Gbps per slot connections to the 720 Gbps switch fabric. Up to 16 10 Gigabit Ethernet ports per chassis can be deployed. It also uses Xenpak modular optics.


Cisco said the new Catalyst 6500 capabilities would enable metro/long-haul service providers to replace SONET infrastructure. It is also suitable for enterprises seeking to migrate to 10 Gigabit Ethernet.
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