Understanding How The External Switch Fabric Module Works - Cisco WS-C6506 Software Manual

Understanding How the Integrated 720-Gbps Switch Fabric Works
Understanding How the Integrated 720-Gbps Switch Fabric
Works
The integrated 720-Gbps switch fabric is supported only on Supervisor Engine 720.
Note
With software release 8.3(1) and later releases, in redundant systems, the integrated 720-Gbps switch
Note
fabric supports a high-availability failover to the standby switch fabric. High availability must be
enabled for the failover to work (enter the set system highavailability enable command).
The integrated 720-Gbps switch fabric, which is built into Supervisor Engine 720, creates a dedicated
connection between the CEF256 and CEF720 modules and provides an uninterrupted transmission of
frames between these modules. In addition to the direct connection between the CEF256 and CEF720
modules that is provided by the integrated 720-Gbps switch fabric, these modules have a direct
connection to the 32-Gbps switching bus.

Understanding How the External Switch Fabric Module Works

The external Switch Fabric Modules are supported only with Supervisor Engine 2 in the Catalyst 6500
Note
series switch.
The external Switch Fabric Modules create a dedicated connection between the CEF256 modules and
provide an uninterrupted transmission of frames between these modules. The external Switch Fabric
Modules do not support the CEF720 modules because these modules do not work with a Supervisor Engine 2.
In addition to using the Switch Fabric Module, the CEF256 modules connect to the 32-Gbps switching
bus.
Table 46-1
Switch Fabric Type
Switch Fabric Module (256-Gbps)
Switch Fabric Module 2 (256-Gbps)
Integrated switch fabric on Supervisor
Engine 720 (720-Gbps)
1. The speeds shown are bidirectional.
Catalyst 6500 Series Switch Software Configuration Guide—Release 8.7
46-2
Table 46-1 lists the switch fabric connection speed for each module.
Switch Fabric Connection Speed by Module Type
Chapter 46
1
Module Type
CEF256
1 x 16-Gbps
1 x 16-Gbps
1 x 16-Gbps
Configuring the Switch Fabric Modules
CEF720
Not supported
Not supported
1 x 40-Gbps:
WS-X6724-SFP
2 x 40-Gbps:
WS-X6748-GE-TX
WS-X6748-SFP
WS-X6704-10GE
OL-8978-04