Cisco Modular Switches; Introduction - Cisco WS-C3550-12G Manual

Cisco Modular Switches

Cisco modular switches include the Cisco Catalyst 4500-E Series and
Cisco Catalyst 6500 Series Switches for the campus and Cisco Nexus
7000 Series Switches for the data center. With a broad selection of
supervisors, line cards, service modules (Catalyst 6500), fabric modules
(Nexus 7000), and power supplies, these intelligent platforms deliver
optimal flexibility to meet ever-changing requirements for deploying
numerous, concurrent intelligent services without degrading the overall
performance of the switch.
These extensive product portfolios allow customers to build an
infrastructure that can be scaled cost-effectively with energy, budget,
and resource efficiency. Customers can simplify the transition to 10,
40, and 100 Gigabit Ethernet, handle architectural changes to support
virtualization, mobility, video, and cloud computing as well as support
converged applications in a secure architecture.
Cisco modular switches support features such as the Cisco Virtual
Switching System and virtual device contexts to simplify management
and deliver operational continuity with high availability and near zero
downtime. Critical redundant hardware and software features deliver
the highest resiliency for all places in the network. Modular switches
also provide the highest levels of investment protection, allowing cost
effective incremental upgrades to supervisors, line cards and fabric
modules while minimizing the need for disruptive fork-lift upgrades.
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