C H A P T E R
46-1
Catalyst 6500 Series Switch Software Configuration Guide—Release 8.7
OL-8978-04
46
Configuring the Switch Fabric Modules
This chapter describes the integrated 720-Gbps switch fabric that is supported on Supervisor Engine 720
and the external Switch Fabric Module (WS-C6500-SFM) and Switch Fabric Module 2
(WS-X6500-SFM 2) that is supported on the Supervisor Engine 2 on the Catalyst 6500 series switches.
Note
For complete syntax and usage information for the commands that are used in this chapter, refer to the
Catalyst 6500 Series Switch Command Reference
publication.
This chapter uses the following terminology:
•
CEF720—Any module that has a part number that conforms to WS-X67
xx-xxx
(such as
WS-X6724-SFP). These modules connect to the integrated 720-Gbps switch fabric on the
Supervisor Engine 720.
•
CEF256—Any module that has a part number that conforms to WS-X65
xx-xxx
(such as
WS-X6548-GE-TX), the Optical Services Modules, the enhanced FlexWAN module, and most
service modules, such as the Firewall Services Module (FWSM), the Secure Socket Layer Services
Module (SSLM), the Virtual Private Network Services Module (VPNSM), the Network Analysis
Module 1 (NAM-1), the NAM-2, the Intrusion Detection System Module (IDSM-2), the Content
Services Gateway (CSG), and the Communications Media Module (CMM). These modules connect
to either the integrated 720-Gbps switch fabric on the Supervisor Engine 720 or to the external
256-Gbps Switch Fabric Modules that are supported by the Supervisor Engine 2, and they connect
to the 32-Gbps switching bus.
•
Non-fabric-enabled—Any module that does not fall into the CEF720 or CEF256 categories. These
modules have no fabric connections and connect only to the 32-Gbps switching bus.
This chapter consists of these sections:
•
Understanding How the Integrated 720-Gbps Switch Fabric Works, page 46-2
•
Understanding How the External Switch Fabric Module Works, page 46-2
•
Forwarding Modes, page 46-3
•
Configuring and Monitoring the Integrated Switch Fabric and Switch Fabric Module on the Switch,
page 46-4
Note
The WS-C6500-SFM is supported in the Catalyst 6500 series 6-and 9-slot chassis only. The
WS-X6500-SFM 2 is supported in the Catalyst 6500 series 6-slot, 9-slot, and 13-slot chassis and in the
Catalyst 6509-NEB chassis.