Modular Switches - Cisco Catalyst 4500 Series Quick Reference Manual

Cisco Catalyst

Modular Switches

The Cisco Catalyst 6500 and 4500 Series modular switches
provide customers with an intelligent high performance
platform for deploying numerous concurrent intelligent
services without degrading the overall performance of the
switch. With a broad selection of line cards, power supplies,
and their highly versatile architecture, modular switches
deliver the highest levels of port density and flexibility,
including PoE scalability to deploy new converged
applications and extending investment protection well into
the future. The modular architecture also provides scalable
performance via a selection of supervisors which can be
upgraded to enhance the performance and service features of
the entire switch as needed.
To minimize costly user downtime, modular switches are
optimized for high availability. Critical redundant hardware
and software features deliver the highest resiliency for all
places in the network. Another key advantage is the ease of
use of modular switches. Modular switches have a single IOS
image to manage no matter how many line cards are inserted.
This allows for simpler IOS configurations, updating,
and management leading to a reduction in overall cost of
ongoing operations.
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