Deep Dive Comparison: Cisco's Catalyst 6500 & 6800 Switches

Gigabit Ethernet modules deliver the predictable performance for bandwidth in aggregation and core layer. The Cisco Catalyst 6800 and 6500 Family Switches offer a variety of 10-Gigabit Ethernet modules. These 32-port cards will help you make the transition from 1-Gb to 10-Gb through line cards which are installed in the same boxes. These gigabit ethernet modules provide an advanced network service that will fulfill your all needs.

A First Look at the 6800

The Cisco Catalyst 6800 Series Switches offer a variety of 10-Gigabit Ethernet line cards. They work in conjunction with the Catalyst 6500-E/6807-XL Supervisor Engine 2T/2TXL (VS-S2T-10G & VS-S2T-10GXL). The 6800 can achieve different needs on campus and access layer deployments. PivIT's professional services arm, EXTEND, can help define those needs through our Smart Hands staffing services and global hands and feet. Cisco provides the three modules as each client requires. The Catalyst 6800 32-port, 16-port, and 8-port 10-Gigabit Ethernet Fiber Modules for fiber connectivity are based on the WS-X6804-40G module.

The series provides the same level of industry-standard features while maintaining high bandwidth performance at the distribution and core layer of campus. All 10-Gb modules include hardware features such as the Virtual Switching System (VSS), Instant Access (IA), Location ID Separation Protocol (LISP), Security Group Tagging (SGT), Access Control (SGACL), MACsec (802.1ae), traffic shaping, and hierarchical quality of service (HQoS). The line cards are also the first to launch with front-facing passive UHF and RFID technology, providing the latest Auto-ID capabilities for asset management.

The 10-Gb modules consist of port groups. Each comes with of eight ports. The 32-port and 16-port modules can operate in either of two modes:

1.) Oversubscribed mode (default).

2.) Over-utilization of ports (trying to push more traffic).

Note these modes affect port groups rather than individual ports. By default, the module operates in oversubscription mode. The mode of operation can be changed by the Cisco command line for each eight-port port group (mixed mode) and is described in more detail in the following sections. A key take-a-way is the 8-port 10 Gigabit module always operates in performance mode.

C6800 32-Port 10-Gigabit Ethernet Fiber Module Models

The C6800 32-port 10-Gigabit Ethernet Fiber Module is built for deployment in all campus aggregation and core layers of networks. There are two types of 32-port 10-Gb fiber modules. The specification of the backplane connection, chassis support, supervisor engine, and distribution performance is given below.

Module 1: C6800-32P10G, a 32-port 10-Gigabit Ethernet Fiber Module with DFC4 (see Figure 1)

Module 2: C6800-32P10G-XL, a 32-port 10-Gigabit Ethernet Fiber Module with DFC4XL.

Backplane Connection

160-Gbps backplane bandwidth in 6807XL; 80-Gbps backplane bandwidth in 6500-E chassis.

Chassis / Slot Support

• Can occupy slots 1-2 and 5-7 in a Cisco Catalyst 6807-XL
• Can occupy any slot in Cisco Catalyst 6503E, 6504E, 6506E, 6509E, and 6509-V-E
• Can occupy slots 1-6 and 9-13 in a Cisco Catalyst 6513-E.

Supervisor Engine

Compatible with Supervisor Engine 2T and Supervisor Engine 2TXL.

Distributed Forwarding and Performance

Comes equipped with factory-installed dual (2) DFC4-E or DFC4-EXL daughter cards.

Number of 10-Gb Ethernet Fiber Ports in the C6800 32-port Family 

• Single Cisco 6807-XL Chassis: up to 160
• Cisco Catalyst 6807-XL Virtual Switching System (VSS) 2T: up to 320
• Single Cisco Catalyst 6513-E Switch Chassis: up to 352
• Cisco Catalyst 6500 VSS 2T: up to 704 

Figure.1) 6800 Series 32-Port 10-Gigabit Ethernet Fiber Module

Hardware Options For You

Our options don't stop with comparing the Catalyst 6500 and 6800 switches. We extend our options to maintenance, support, and financing. Click below to learn more about the options we bring our clients.

C6800 Family 16-Port 10-Gigabit Ethernet Fiber Module

The C6800 16-port 10-Gigabit Ethernet Fiber Module is built for deployment in all campus aggregation and core layers of networks. There are two types of 16-port 10-Gb fiber modules. The specification of modules models, backplane connection, Chassis supported, Supervisor engine, and distribution performance are given below.

Module 1: C6800-16P10G, a 16-port 10-Gigabit Ethernet Fiber Module with DFC4 (Figure 2)

Module 2: C6800-16P10G-XL, a 16-port 10-Gigabit Ethernet Fiber Module with DFC4XL.

Backplane Connection 

80-Gbps backplane bandwidth in Catalyst 6807-XL and 6500-E chassis.

Chassis / Slot Support

• Can occupy slots 1-2 and 5-7 in a Cisco Catalyst 6807-XL
• Can occupy any slot in Cisco Catalyst 6503E, 6504E, 6506E, 6509E, and6509-V-E
• Can occupy slots 1-6 and 9-13 in a Cisco Catalyst 6513-E.

Supervisor Engine

Compatible with Supervisor Engine 2T and Supervisor Engine 2TXL

Distributed Forwarding and Performance

Comes equipped with a factory-installed DFC4-E or DFC4-EXL daughter card.

Number of 10-Gb Ethernet Fiber Ports in the C6800 Family 16-port Family

• Single Cisco 6807-XL Switch Chassis: up to 80 - 90
• Cisco Catalyst 6807-XL Virtual Switching System (VSS): up to 160 to 170
• Single Cisco Catalyst 6513-E Chassis: up to 176
• Cisco Catalyst 6500 Virtual Switching System (VSS) 2T: up to 352

Figure.2 6800 Series 16-Port 10-Gigabit Ethernet Fiber Module 

C6800 Family 8-Port 10-Gigabit Ethernet Fiber Module

The C6800 8-port 10-Gigabit Ethernet Fiber Module is built for deployment in all campus aggregation and core layers of the networks. There are two types of 8-port 10-Gb Fiber Modules. The specification of backplane connection, Chassis support, Supervisor engine, and distribution performance is given below.

Module 1: C6800-8P10G, an 8-port 10-Gigabit Ethernet Fiber Module with DFC4

Module 2: C6800-8P10G-XL, an 8-port 10-Gigabit Ethernet Fiber Module with DFC4XL.

Backplane Connection

80-Gbps backplane bandwidth in Catalyst 6807-XL and 6500-E chassis.

Chassis / Slot Support

• Can occupy slots 1-2 and 5-7 in a Cisco Catalyst 6807-XL
• Can occupy any slot in Cisco Catalyst 6503E, 6504E, 6506E, 6509E, and 6509-V-E
• Can occupy slots 1-6 and 9-13 in a Cisco Catalyst 6513-E.

Supervisor Engine

Compatible with Supervisor Engine 2T and Supervisor Engine 2TXL.

Distributed Forwarding and Performance

Comes equipped with a factory-installed DFC4-E or DFC4-EXL daughter card.

Number of 10-Gb Ethernet Fiber Ports in the C6800 Family 8-port Family

• Single Cisco 6807-XL Chassis: up to 40
• Cisco 6807-XL Virtual Switching System (VSS) 2T: up to 80
• Single Cisco Catalyst 6513-E Switch Chassis: up to 88
• Cisco Catalyst 6500 Virtual Switching System (VSS) 2T: up to 176 

Performance Mode

The Cisco 6800 Family 32-Port and 16-Port 10-Gb Fiber Module can act in performance mode to provide line-rate operations. The 8-Port 10-Gb Fiber Module can provide a line rate by default. You can only achieve performance mode in the 32-port and 16-port Fiber modules as there is no performance model in the 16-port 10-Gb fiber module.

Note In performance mode, only the first port of the port group is enabled, and that port comes with enhanced buffering and quality-of-service functionality. The other 3 ports in the port group will be administratively shut down.

The new 6800 series 10-Gb Ethernet modules have two 20-Gbps connections to the fabric. The Distributed Forwarding Card 4 (DFC4) can forward traffic up to 60 Mbps in campus environments. The total forwarding performance of a fully installed 6513-E chassis with 6800 Series 10 Gigabit and Gigabit Ethernet modules is 720 Mbps (11 available slots for line cards with slots 7 and 8 reserved for Supervisor Engine 2T).

Figure.1) 6800 Family 32-Port 10-Gigabit Ethernet Fiber Module Port Groups and Performance Mode

Figure.2) Port Group Mappings on Front Panel of 16-Port 10 Gigabit Ethernet Copper Module

Oversubscribed mode (default) 

1.) For the 32-Port 10-GbEthernet Module, ports are from left to right. The top row consists of odd number ports and the bottom row consists of even number ports.

2.) For the 16-Port 10-Gb Ethernet Module. Ports are from left to right

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