WS-X6816-10G-2T Cisco Catalyst 6500 16 Port 10G with DFC4
WS-X6816-10G-2T Cisco Catalyst 6500 16-Port-10-Gigabit Ethernet Module with DFC4
High-Density 10 Gigabit Line Card with Distributed Forwarding for Scalable, Core-Ready Catalyst 6500 Deployments
The Cisco WS-X6816-10G-2T is a high-speed 16-port 10 Gigabit Ethernet line card built for the Cisco Catalyst 6500 Series. Designed for demanding data center, service provider, and large enterprise networks, this advanced module delivers up to 160 Gbps switching capacity and an impressive 240 mpps forwarding rate. Equipped with an integrated DFC4 (Distributed Forwarding Card), it enables local forwarding, reduces latency, and enhances scalability for high-density network environments.
Supporting a wide range of X2 transceivers (SR, LR, ER, CX4) and dual Terabit fabric uplinks, the WS-X6816-10G-2T ensures seamless integration into next-generation infrastructures. Advanced Layer 2/3 switching, full IPv4/IPv6 routing, jumbo frame support, and robust QoS features provide superior performance for core, distribution, and aggregation layers.
Ideal for mission-critical deployments, this module offers hot-swappable design, front-to-back cooling, and high-availability features such as NSF/SSO and Virtual Switching System (VSS) compatibility. Whether you are upgrading a campus core, expanding a data center, or building a high-bandwidth backbone, the Cisco WS-X6816-10G-2T delivers the speed, scalability, and reliability to future-proof your network.
Enhance your network performance and capacity with the Cisco WS-X6816-10G-2T, the ideal solution for high-speed core, distribution, and data center aggregation in modern enterprise and service provider networks.
CISPR 22 Class A, BSMI CNS 13438 Class A, CISPR 24, EN 61000-3-2, VCCI Class A ITE, EN 61000-3-3, EN55024, EN55022 Class A, EN50082-1, EN 61000-6-1, ICES-003 Class A, FCC CFR47 Part 15, FCC CFR21 Part 1040, IEC 60950-1, EN 60950-1, IEC 60825-1, EN 60825-1, CAN/CSA C22.2 No. 60950-1
We offer free FedEx Ground shipping to all our customers in the continental US. If you need more information on expedited or international shipping please see our Shipping & Returns page or ask us directly via phone, email or using our Contact Form page.
Product Specifications – Cisco WS-X6816-10G-2T Line Card
CLICK HERE FOR DATA SHEET
| Specification | Details |
|---|---|
| Model Number | Cisco WS-X6816-10G-2T |
| Product Type | 16-Port 10-Gigabit Ethernet Line Card with Integrated DFC4 |
| Description | High-performance 16-port 10-Gigabit Ethernet line card for Cisco Catalyst 6500 Series chassis. Features integrated DFC4 for enhanced performance and distributed forwarding, ideal for core, distribution, and large-scale enterprise or service provider networks. |
| Ports & Interfaces | - 16 x 10 Gigabit Ethernet X2-based ports - Supports X2 optical modules: SR, LR, ER, CX4 - 2 x Terabit uplink interfaces for high-speed fabric access - Hot-swappable design with redundant connectivity |
| Performance & Throughput | - Switching Capacity: Up to 160 Gbps per module - Packet Forwarding Rate: Up to 240 mpps - Integrated DFC4 for distributed forwarding and enhanced scalability - Supports 1:1 oversubscription for non-blocking performance - Integrated deep buffering and advanced queueing for high-traffic environments |
| Layer Support | Layer 2 and Layer 3 switching with full IPv4/IPv6 routing |
| Advanced Features | - Advanced QoS with per-port traffic classification, policing, and shaping - Jumbo Frame Support up to 9216 bytes - Enhanced ACLs and policy-based routing (PBR) - Distributed NetFlow support for traffic monitoring |
| Fabric & Chassis Compatibility | - Requires Cisco Catalyst 6500-E Series chassis with Supervisor Engine 2T or 720 - Compatible with Virtual Switching System (VSS) deployments - Supports dual fabric connections for full 2T fabric capacity |
| Software & Management | - Supported OS: Cisco IOS and IOS XE (depending on supervisor engine) - Integration with Cisco Prime Infrastructure, SNMP, and NetFlow - Supports NSF/SSO (Non-Stop Forwarding/Stateful Switchover) for high availability |
| Security Features | - Hardware-based Access Control Lists (ACLs) - uRPF (Unicast Reverse Path Forwarding) support - Port-level security with MAC limiting - Distributed control plane protection |
| Power & Cooling | - Typical Power Consumption: ~350W (varies with optics) - Front-to-back airflow for optimized cooling - Ensure sufficient chassis cooling for X2 optics |
| Environmental | - Operating Temperature: 0°C to 40°C (32°F to 104°F) - Relative Humidity: 5%–90% non-condensing |
| Chassis Support | Compatible with Cisco Catalyst 6503-E, 6506-E, 6509-E, and 6513-E chassis |
| Reliability | - Hot-swappable module for minimal downtime - Supports high availability with NSF/SSO failover - Distributed forwarding ensures seamless traffic handling during maintenance |
| Use Cases | Ideal for data center aggregation, core campus networks, service provider backbones, and large-scale enterprise deployments |
This Cisco WS-X6816-10G-2T Line Card offers industry-leading high-speed 10G connectivity, distributed forwarding, and scalable bandwidth, making it the perfect choice for organizations seeking future-proof network performance in demanding enterprise and service provider environments.
FAQs for WS-X6816-10G-2T:
Does the WS-X6816-10G-2T require a specific supervisor engine?
Yes, to fully utilize its performance, it is recommended to use with Cisco Supervisor Engine 2T. It is backward compatible with Sup720, but at reduced capacity.
Are the 10G ports SFP+ or X2-based?
This module uses X2 transceivers, not SFP+. You’ll need to use compatible Cisco X2 optics for fiber or copper connectivity.
What is DFC4, and why is it important?
DFC4 (Distributed Forwarding Card) enables local packet forwarding on the line card, reducing load on the supervisor engine and improving scalability and performance.
Can this module be used for Virtual Switching System (VSS)?
Yes, it is fully compatible with VSS when used with Sup2T and fabric-enabled Catalyst 6500-E chassis.
Is this card hot-swappable and field-replaceable?
Yes, the WS-X6816-10G-2T is fully hot-swappable, supporting modular network upgrades without downtime.
