Cisco Catalyst 6800 8-Port 40GE with Dual Integrated DFC4-E Spare

The Cisco Catalyst 6800 8-Port 40GE module is designed to deliver extreme bandwidth and scalable performance for next‑generation data centers and enterprise networks. Built to integrate seamlessly with Catalyst 6800 family switches, it provides eight 40‑Gigabit Ethernet ports with compact density, enabling high‑speed uplinks, server interconnects, and storage traffic to flow with minimal latency. Paired with dual integrated DFC4‑E hardware and compatible supervisor engines, this module is engineered for resilient, low‑downtime operation in environments that demand consistent throughput and smart, policy‑driven networking. Whether you’re building a leaf‑spine fabric, consolidating virtualization workloads, or enabling high‑bandwidth clustering, this module helps you achieve scalable performance while preserving simplicity in management and deployment.

• High-density 40GE connectivity: Eight 40‑Gbps ports (QSFP+), delivering dense uplink and inter-switch connectivity in a compact module footprint, ideal for data center fabrics and enterprise cores.
• Guaranteed performance and low latency: Designed for non‑blocking, line‑rate forwarding to support latency‑sensitive workloads, virtualization, and large data transfers with predictable behavior under heavy load.
• Redundancy and resilience built in: Dual Integrated DFC4‑E Spare provides distributed forwarding capabilities and hardware redundancy to minimize disruption in failure scenarios, supporting robust uptime goals.
• Chassis and supervisor compatibility: Engineered for use with Cisco Catalyst 6800 family switches and compatible with Supervisor Engines 2T/2TXL (VS‑S2T‑10G & VS‑S2T‑10GXL) or 6T/6TXL (C68 series) to enable flexible, scalable deployments across existing networks.
• Management and integration ready: Supports Cisco’s comprehensive software features and management tools, including CLI, SNMP, and integration with Cisco DNA Center for policy, automation, and observability across the data center fabric.

Technical Details of Cisco Catalyst 6800 8-Port 40GE with Dual Integrated DFC4-E Spare

• Module type: 8-port 40‑GE Ethernet module for Cisco Catalyst 6800 family chassis, designed for hot-swappable installation in supported slots.
• Ports and speed: 8 x 40‑Gbps Ethernet ports (QSFP+), enabling high‑density uplinks and interconnects for demanding workloads.
• Aggregate capacity: Up to approximately 320 Gbps of raw aggregate throughput (8 ports × 40 Gbps), supporting aggressive bandwidth requirements in modern data centers.
• Forwarding hardware: Dual Integrated DFC4‑E Spare option provides redundancy in the forwarding plane to improve fault tolerance and uptime.
• Compatibility: Designed for Catalyst 6800 switches and working with the Catalyst 6800 family supervisor engines (2T/2TXL or 6T/6TXL) to ensure cohesive operation within the fabric.
• Management features: Integrates with Cisco’s standard management stack (CLI, SNMP, NetFlow‑based telemetry) and supports provisioning through Cisco DNA Center for automated policy and monitoring in distributed environments.

how to install Cisco Catalyst 6800 8-Port 40GE with Dual Integrated DFC4-E Spare

• Identify a compatible slot in the Cisco Catalyst 6800 chassis that accepts a 40GE module and verify that your chassis has the appropriate supervisor engine installed for full functionality.
• Power down is not always required for hot‑swappable modules in Cisco Catalyst platforms, but follow your maintenance policy and ensure anti‑static precautions are observed before handling hardware.
• Remove the blanking plate from the target bay, align the 40GE module with the slot, and firmly insert it until it seats and the latch clicks. Verify the module is fully seated and the status indicator is solid or blinking as per the chassis guidance.
• Connect your 40GE cabling to the QSFP+ ports according to your network design. Use appropriate 40GE transceivers or DAC cables appropriate for the length and environment, and label connections to simplify future changes.
• Power on (if required) and run initial verification commands to confirm visibility and status, such as show module, show interfaces status, and show tech-support. Then proceed with configuration of VLANs, QoS, and routing policies as needed for your deployment.

Frequently asked questions

• Q: What is the primary use case for this 8‑port 40GE module?

  A: It provides high-density 40‑GE connectivity for data center fabrics, server‑to‑server and storage interconnects, and inter‑switch links within the Cisco Catalyst 6800 family, enabling scalable, high-throughput networks with low latency.

• Q: Which supervisor engines are compatible with this module?

  A: The module is designed for use with Catalyst 6800 switches and is compatible with Supervisor Engine 2T/2TXL (VS‑S2T‑10G & VS‑S2T‑10GXL) or Catalyst Supervisor Engine 6T/6TXL (C68 series) configurations, depending on your chassis model and software version.

• Q: Do I need a separate power supply for this module?

  A: No separate power supply is required for the module itself—the 6800 chassis provides power. The module is designed to operate within the chassis’ power and redundancy framework, with uptime supported by the chassis and supervisor hardware.

• Q: What types of cables should I use for 40GE connections?

  A: Use 40‑Gbps QSFP+ transceivers or DAC (direct attach copper) cables appropriate for your deployment distance. Follow Cisco’s cabling guidelines to ensure signal integrity and consistent performance.

• Q: Can this module be managed with Cisco DNA Center?

  A: Yes. The module is compatible with Cisco’s management ecosystem, including Cisco DNA Center, for policy-based automation, telemetry, and centralized network management. Depending on your software version, you can leverage advanced analytics and lifecycle automation features.