6509 10/100/1000 module 2

[lerdalt]

Curious if someone can help explain to me what the difference between a fabric enabled switch blade (pn 6548-ge-tx) and one that is not fabric enabled. I'm putting a chassis configuration together and just can't find a good explanation on cisco's site on what the difference is.

Thanks
TL

 

[BuckWeet]

fabric enabled means it can access the faster switching bus..

Sup2 can support up to total 256Gbs
Sup2 can support up to total 32Gbps
Sup720 can support up to total 720Gbps
non fabric enabled modules have a total limit to 32Gbs

Fabric enabled modules can support up to 20Gb/sec to the backplane, non frabric only can do 10Gb/sec I believe..


Depending on your needs a non fabric enabled will work just fine..

In the real world, not many people even need the fabric enabled modules, they just think they do.

We install all of our data center 6500's with Sup720's and balls to the wall gear but if you look at the actual utilization, we only have a few Gb/sec of throughput.. In real world terms a Sup32 or Sup2 (without fabric) would work perfectly.

I think in your situation it will probably come down to cost. Unless you can justify the traffic throughput don't worry about having to have the fabric enabled devices.

BuckWeet

 

[chipk]

This explains a bit of what you're asking:

http://www.cisco.com/univercd/cc/td/doc/product/lan/cat6000/sw_7_5/confg_gd/swfab.htm#wp1023365

Particularly at the top where it says: Understanding How the Switch Fabric Module Works

 

[lerdalt]

Thanks clears the mud a lot.