Description
Product Overview of the Cisco WS-F6700-DFC3C Expansion Module
The Cisco WS-F6700-DFC3C Catalyst 6500 Distributed Forwarding Card (DFC) is a crucial component designed to enhance the performance and capabilities of the Cisco Catalyst 6500 Series Switches, specifically when used in conjunction with the WS-X67xx Wide Area Network (WAN) Expansion Module. The WS-X67xx series is an integral part of the Catalyst 6500 Series, designed to cater to the requirements of WAN connectivity. These expansion modules empower the Catalyst 6500 switches to extend their reach and functionality, providing a comprehensive solution for organizations with geographically dispersed network assets.
Key Features of WS-F6700-DFC3C Distributed Forwarding CardHigh Performance
The WS-F6700-DFC3C is equipped with a powerful forwarding engine, capable of handling high volumes of data traffic with low latency. This results in improved network responsiveness and ensures smooth data flow even during peak usage periods.
Scalability
With an eye on the future, Cisco designed the WS-F6700-DFC3C Catalyst 6500 Series to be highly scalable. It can accommodate the increasing demands of evolving networks, allowing organizations to expand their infrastructure without compromising on performance.
Compatibility with WS-X67xx Modules
The WS-F6700-DFC3C is tailor-made to complement the WS-X67xx Wide Area Network Expansion Module. This synergy ensures seamless integration and optimal performance when these components work in tandem, creating a cohesive and efficient networking environment.
Advanced Forwarding Algorithms
To further enhance efficiency, the WS-F6700-DFC3C incorporates advanced forwarding algorithms. These algorithms intelligently manage packet forwarding, optimizing the use of network resources and reducing bottlenecks.
Redundancy and Reliability
In mission-critical networking environments, reliability is non-negotiable. The WS-F6700-DFC3C includes built-in redundancy features, ensuring continuous operation even in the event of hardware failures. This adds an extra layer of resilience to the overall network architecture.
Optimized Resource Utilization
With its specialized design, the WS-F6700-DFC3C optimizes resource utilization within the switch, ensuring that critical processing tasks are efficiently distributed. This not only enhances performance but also contributes to a more balanced and responsive network.
High-Speed Processing
Equipped with advanced processing capabilities, the WS-F6700-DFC3C can handle high volumes of data traffic with ease. This high-speed processing is essential for meeting the demands of bandwidth-intensive applications and ensuring a smooth and responsive network experience.
Increased Port Density
The combination of the WS-F6700-DFC3C and the WS-X67xx WAN Expansion Module results in increased port density. This is particularly beneficial for organizations dealing with a growing number of networked devices, as it provides the necessary capacity to accommodate additional connections without compromising performance.
Use Cases
The WS-F6700-DFC3C caters to a broad spectrum of networking scenarios. Its versatility makes it suitable for different industries and applications, including:
Enterprise Networks
Large enterprises with extensive networking needs can benefit from the WS-F6700-DFC3C’s ability to handle substantial data traffic while maintaining low latency. This is particularly crucial for organizations where downtime and sluggish network performance are not acceptable.
Data Centers
In the dynamic environment of data centers, where rapid data processing is paramount, the WS-F6700-DFC3C shines. It enhances the overall efficiency of data center networks, supporting seamless communication between servers, storage devices, and other components.
Service Providers
Telecommunication service providers dealing with a diverse range of network services find the WS-F6700-DFC3C invaluable. Its scalability and high-performance capabilities make it an ideal choice for delivering reliable and responsive services to end-users.
High-Traffic WAN Environments
In scenarios where the network experiences high volumes of traffic, such as in wide-area networks connecting geographically dispersed locations, the WS-F6700-DFC3C proves invaluable. Its advanced forwarding capabilities excel in handling large quantities of data with minimal latency.
Benefits
The WS-F6700-DFC3C Cisco Catalyst 6500 Distributed Forwarding Card is a network module that enhances the performance and scalability of the Cisco Catalyst 6500 series switches. It provides several benefits, including:
- Distributed Forwarding: The DFC3C card allows for the distribution of Layer 2 and Layer 3 forwarding across multiple line cards, enabling the switch to handle a larger number of packets per second. This improves network performance and reduces the risk of network congestion.
- Quality of Service (QoS): The DFC3C card provides QoS capabilities, which allow network administrators to prioritize different types of traffic, such as voice or video, to ensure that they are delivered with minimal delay and jitter.
- Access Control Lists (ACLs): The DFC3C card supports ACLs, which can be used to control access to the network and secure it from unauthorized access.
- Network Address Translation (NAT): The DFC3C card supports NAT, which allows multiple devices to share a single public IP address, which is useful for organizations with limited public IP addresses.
- High availability: DFC3C provides high-availability features such as Stateful Switchover (SSO) and Non-Stop Forwarding (NSF) to eliminate the single point of failure in the network.
- Flexibility: It is supported on a variety of Cisco Catalyst 6500 series switches and can be used in a variety of networking environments, including enterprise, service provider, and data center networks.
Compliant Standards
The WS-F6700-DFC3C Cisco Catalyst 6500 Distributed Forwarding Card is compliant with some industry standards. These standards ensure that the DFC3C card is compatible with other networking equipment and can be used in a variety of networking environments. Some of the compliant standards for the DFC3C card include:
- IEEE 802.3: This standard defines the physical layer and media access control (MAC) specifications for Ethernet networks. The DFC3C card is compliant with the IEEE 802.3 standard, which means it can be used with other IEEE 802.3-compliant devices and networks.
- IEEE 802.1Q: This standard defines a mechanism for tagging Ethernet frames with a VLAN identifier. The DFC3C card supports IEEE 802.1Q VLAN tagging, which allows it to be used in VLAN-enabled networks.
- IEEE 802.1D: This standard defines the Spanning Tree Protocol (STP) which is used to prevent loops in a network. The DFC3C card supports IEEE 802.1D STP, which allows it to be used in networks that use the STP protocol.
- IEEE 802.1s: This standard defines the Multiple Spanning Tree Protocol (MSTP) which is an extension of the STP protocol and is used to prevent loops in a network. The DFC3C card supports IEEE 802.1s MSTP, which allows it to be used in networks that use the MSTP protocol.
- IPv4, IPv6: The DFC3C card supports both IPv4 and IPv6 addressing which allows it to be used in networks that use either version of the Internet Protocol.
- MPLS: The DFC3C card supports Multi-Protocol Label Switching (MPLS) which is a protocol-agnostic mechanism used to forward data packets in a network.
General Information of the Cisco WS-F6700-DFC3C Switch Module
- Manufacturer: Cisco
- Part Number or SKU# WS-F6700-DFC3C
- Product Type: Switch Module
Technical Information
- Application/Usage: Wide Area Network
In summary, the Cisco WS-F6700-DFC3C Catalyst 6500 Distributed Forwarding Card is a key component in optimizing the performance, scalability, and efficiency of Catalyst 6500 Series switches, especially in the context of Wide Area Network expansion modules such as the WS-X67xx series. Its distributed forwarding capabilities, compatibility with specific modules, increased forwarding bandwidth, support for advanced routing protocols, and scalability make it a valuable asset for organizations aiming to build robust and high-performing networks.
