Description
Product Overview for the Cisco WS-SUP720-3BXL Switch Feature Card
The Cisco WS-SUP720-3BXL is a powerful and versatile networking component designed to enhance the capabilities of network switches. In this comprehensive guide, we will delve into the features and functionalities of this device, specifically focusing on its Twisted Pair 10/100/1000Base-T support, hot-swappable Supervisor Engine 720, Fabric Multilayer Switch Feature Card 3 (MSFC3), and Policy Feature Card 3BXL.
Understanding the Cisco WS-SUP720-3BXL
- Overview of Cisco WS-SUP720-3BXL: The Cisco WS-SUP720-3BXL is a Supervisor Engine module, a critical component in modular switches that controls the overall functioning of the switch. It is designed to provide high-performance capabilities, making it suitable for enterprise-level networks with demanding requirements.
- Twisted Pair 10/100/1000Base-T Support: The inclusion of Twisted Pair 10/100/1000Base-T support in the Cisco WS-SUP720-3BXL ensures compatibility with various networking environments. This feature allows the use of different Ethernet speeds, providing flexibility in connecting to different devices and accommodating diverse network architectures.
- Hot-swappable Supervisor Engine 720: The term “hot-swappable” refers to the ability to replace or upgrade the Supervisor Engine without shutting down the entire switch. The Supervisor Engine 720 is a key element responsible for forwarding data, managing network protocols, and ensuring overall network stability. The hot-swappable nature of this component minimizes downtime during maintenance or upgrades, contributing to improved network availability.
- Fabric Multilayer Switch Feature Card 3 (MSFC3): The MSFC3 is an integral part of the Cisco WS-SUP720-3BXL, providing routing capabilities and enabling the switch to function as a multilayer switch. This means that the switch can make forwarding decisions not only based on Layer 2 (Data Link layer) information but also on Layer 3 (Network layer) information. This capability enhances the switch’s ability to handle complex routing tasks and optimize network performance.
- Policy Feature Card 3BXL: The Policy Feature Card 3BXL extends the functionalities of the Cisco WS-SUP720-3BXL by providing advanced policy enforcement capabilities. This card allows network administrators to implement and enforce policies related to Quality of Service (QoS), security, and traffic management. As a result, organizations can tailor their network policies to meet specific requirements, ensuring efficient resource utilization and a secure network environment.
Exploring Key Features
- Performance and Scalability: The Cisco WS-SUP720-3BXL is renowned for its high performance, supporting advanced features, and providing scalability to accommodate growing network demands. With its robust architecture, this Supervisor Engine is capable of handling large amounts of data traffic while maintaining low latency, making it suitable for mission-critical applications.
- Redundancy and Reliability: Redundancy is a crucial aspect of network design to ensure continuous operation even in the face of hardware failures. The Cisco WS-SUP720-3BXL incorporates redundancy features, such as dual Supervisor Engines and redundant power supplies, to enhance the overall reliability of the network infrastructure. This redundancy minimizes the risk of network downtime and ensures seamless operation.
- Flexibility in Network Design: The flexibility offered by the Cisco WS-SUP720-3BXL is a key advantage for network architects and administrators. Its support for various interfaces, including Twisted Pair 10/100/1000Base-T, allows for diverse connectivity options. This flexibility is essential in designing networks that can adapt to changing requirements and accommodate a variety of devices.
- Advanced Security Features: Security is a top priority in modern networking, and the Cisco WS-SUP720-3BXL addresses this concern with advanced security features. The Policy Feature Card 3BXL, in particular, plays a crucial role in implementing security policies and helping organizations safeguard their networks against unauthorized access, data breaches, and other security threats.
Technical Specifications
- Supervisor Engine 720: At the heart of the Cisco WS-SUP720-3BXL is the Supervisor Engine 720. This component serves as the brain of the switch, providing advanced features and control capabilities. With a focus on high performance, the Supervisor Engine 720 is equipped to handle the demands of modern networking, supporting gigabit and fast Ethernet interfaces.
- Twisted Pair 10/100/1000Base-T Compatibility: The inclusion of Twisted Pair 10/100/1000Base-T support makes the Cisco WS-SUP720-3BXL adaptable to a variety of network infrastructures. This compatibility ensures seamless integration with both legacy and modern Ethernet technologies, offering flexibility in network design and implementation.
- Supervisor Engine 720 Fabric: The Supervisor Engine 720 features an integrated fabric that facilitates efficient communication between various modules within the switch. This internal fabric plays a crucial role in optimizing data transfer and reducing latency, contributing to overall network speed and responsiveness.
- Multilayer Switch Feature Card 3 (MSFC3): An integral part of the Cisco WS-SUP720-3BXL is the Multilayer Switch Feature Card 3 (MSFC3). This card adds multilayer switching capabilities to the Supervisor Engine, enabling the switch to make forwarding decisions based on Layer 3 (IP) and Layer 4 (TCP/UDP) information. This enhanced functionality is essential for handling complex networking tasks and improving overall network efficiency.
- Policy Feature Card 3BXL: Complementing the MSFC3, the Policy Feature Card 3BXL extends the capabilities of the Cisco WS-SUP720-3BXL by providing advanced policy enforcement. This card enables the implementation of sophisticated policies to manage network traffic, prioritize applications, and enhance security. The Policy Feature Card 3BXL adds a layer of intelligence to the switch, allowing for fine-grained control over network behavior.
Use Cases
- Enterprise Networking: The Cisco WS-SUP720-3BXL finds widespread application in enterprise networks where reliability, scalability, and performance are paramount. Its hot-swappable design ensures minimal disruptions during maintenance, making it an ideal choice for organizations that require continuous network operation.
- Data Centers: In data center environments, the Cisco WS-SUP720-3BXL’s high-performance capabilities shine. Its support for gigabit and fast Ethernet interfaces, coupled with the Supervisor Engine 720’s advanced features, makes it well-suited for handling the demanding requirements of data-intensive applications and services.
- Telecommunications: Telecommunication networks benefit from the Cisco WS-SUP720-3BXL’s versatility and scalability. The Twisted Pair 10/100/1000Base-T compatibility allows for seamless integration into various telecommunications infrastructures, facilitating the efficient and reliable transfer of voice, data, and video traffic.
Resiliency and High Availability
The WS-SUP720-3BXL is a supervisor engine for Cisco routers that provides resiliency and high availability features for the network. The Fabric Feature Card (FFC) within this product allows for redundancy in the event of a supervisor engine failure, ensuring that there is minimal disruption to network operations. The FFC also allows for a “hitless” software upgrade, where the active supervisor engine can be upgraded without affecting network traffic. Additionally, this model provides support for the redundancy protocol, Hot Standby Router Protocol (HSRP), which allows for automatic failover in the event of a routing failure.
General Information about this Cisco WS-SUP720-3BXL
- Manufacturer: Cisco
- Part Number or SKU# WS-SUP720-3BXL
- Product Model: 720
- Product Name: Supervisor Engine 720
- Product Type: Supervisor Engine
Technical Information Cisco Catalyst 6500/7600
- Application/Usage: Data Networking
Interfaces / Ports
- Interfaces/Ports: 1 x 10/100/1000Base-T Uplink
- Interfaces/Ports Details: 1 x RJ-45 10/100/1000Base-T Uplink
- Interfaces/Ports Details: 1 x RJ-45 Console RS-232 Management
Performance
- Connectivity Media: Twisted Pair 10/100/1000Base-T
- Data Transfer Rate: 10 Mbps Ethernet
- Data Transfer Rate: 100 Mbps Fast Ethernet
- Data Transfer Rate: 1 Gbps Gigabit Ethernet
I/O Expansions
- Expansion Slots: 1 x SFP (mini-GBIC) Shared
- Expansion Slots: 1 x SFP (mini-GBIC) Uplink
- Expansion Slots: 2 x Compact Flash Port
- Daughter Cards: 1 x MSFC3
- Daughter Cards: 1 x PFC3BXL
Management & Protocols
- Management:
- Cisco Works
- RMON (Remote Monitoring)
- IEEE 802.1p QoS (Quality of Service)
- IEEE 802.1q VLAN (Virtual Local Area Network)
Miscellaneous
- Package Contents:
- Supervisor Engine 720
- Bootflash for SUP720 – 64MB-SP (BF-S720-64MB-SP)
- Bootflash for SUP720-64MB-RP (BF-S720-64MB-RP)
- Cisco CAT6000-SUP720 IOS IP W/SSH/3DES (S733ZK9-12217SXB)
Additional Information
- Spare Product:
- High-capacity PFC3BXL allows offloading routing and forwarding processes from the supervisor engine to the PFC.
- Integrated 720-Gbps switch fabric.
- Supports 1GB DRAM for routing processor and 1GB DRAM for switch processor.
- 64MB of Boot Flash for the SP switch processor and 64MB of Boot Flash for the route processor.
- Comprehensive MPLS (Multiprotocol Label Switching) support.
- Port security.
- IEEE 802.1x and 802.1x extensions.
- VLAN and router ACLs and Port ACLs.
- Quality of service (QoS).
Compatibility
Compatible with:
- Cisco 6503
- Cisco 6503-E
- Cisco 6404-E
- Cisco 6506
- Cisco 6506-E
- Cisco 6509
- Cisco 6509-E
- Cisco 6509-NEB
- Cisco 6509-NEB-A
- Cisco 6513
- Cisco 7603
- Cisco 7606
- Cisco OSR-7609
- Cisco 7609
- Cisco 7613
Finally, the Cisco WS-SUP720-3BXL stands as a testament to Cisco’s commitment to innovation in the field of networking. With its hot-swappable design, compatibility with Twisted Pair 10/100/1000Base-T networks, and advanced features such as the Supervisor Engine 720, Multilayer Switch Feature Card 3 (MSFC3), and Policy Feature Card 3BXL, it addresses the diverse needs of modern network environments.
Whether deployed in enterprise networks, data centers, or telecommunications infrastructures, the Cisco WS-SUP720-3BXL plays a pivotal role in ensuring high performance, scalability, and reliability. By understanding its technical specifications, use cases, and considerations for installation and maintenance, organizations can make informed decisions about integrating this Supervisor Engine into their network architectures.
In the fast-paced world of networking, the Cisco WS-SUP720-3BXL stands out as a robust and adaptable solution, empowering organizations to meet the challenges of an increasingly connected and data-intensive landscape.
