C H A P T E R
43-1
Catalyst 6000 Family Software Configuration Guide—Releases 6.3 and 6.4
78-13315-02
43
Configuring the Switch Fabric Modules
This chapter describes how to configure the Switch Fabric Module (WS-C6500-SFM) and Switch Fabric
Module 2 (WS-X6500-SFM 2) for the Catalyst 6500 series switches.
Note
For complete syntax and usage information for the commands used in this chapter, refer to the
Catalyst 6000 Family Command Reference
publication.
This chapter consists of these sections:
•
Understanding How the Switch Fabric Module Works, page 43-1
•
Configuring and Monitoring the Switch Fabric Module, page 43-2
Note
The WS-C6500-SFM is supported in the Catalyst 6500 6-and 9-slot chassis only. The
WS-X6500-SFM 2 is supported in the Catalyst 6500 6-slot, 9-slot, 13-slot, and 6509-NEB chassis.
Understanding How the Switch Fabric Module Works
Note
The Switch Fabric Module is supported only with Supervisor Engine 2 in the Catalyst 6500 series
switch.
The Switch Fabric Module creates a dedicated connection between fabric-enabled modules and provides
uninterrupted transmission of frames between these modules. The Switch Fabric Module also provides
fabric-enabled modules with a direct connection to the Catalyst 6500 32-Gbps forwarding bus.
You can use the
set system crossbar-fallback
bus-mode
|
none
command to specify how packets are
handled if the Switch Fabric Module is removed or fails. If you specify
bus-mode
, the switching is done in
flow-through mode. If you specify
none
, the switch ports are disabled and switching stops.
The Switch Fabric Module does not have a console. A two-line LCD display on the front panel shows
fabric utilization, software revision, and basic system information.
Install the WS-C6500-SFM in either slot 5 or 6 in the 6-slot and 9-slot Catalyst 6500 series switches.
Install the WS-X6500-SFM 2 in slots 7 or 8 in the 13-slot Catalyst 6500 switches. The Switch Fabric
Module first installed functions as the primary module. For redundancy, you can install a standby Switch
Fabric Module.