The Global Certification Team (GCT) is proud to announce the addition of the Catalyst 6500-E to the Unified capabilities (UC) Approved Products List (APL). The Cat6K was tested as a switch in Virtual Switching System (VSS) mode with Software Release (Rel.) 15.0(1)SY1, Tracking Number (TN) 1132001, as an Assured Services Local Area Network (ASLAN) -- Layer 2/Layer 3 Access, Core, and Distribution switch. The UC APL Memo can be found here.
The Cisco® Catalyst® 6500 and 6500-E Series sets the new standard for IP Communications and application delivery in enterprise campus and service provider networks by maximizing user productivity and enhancing operational control. As the premier intelligent, multilayer modular Cisco switch, the Catalyst 6500 Series delivers secure, converged, end-to-end services, from the wiring closet to the core network, the data center, and the WAN edge.
For more information on the Catalyst 6500-E Series, please visit Cisco.com.
Cisco’s been doing virtualization in various forms on the network side for quite a long time. One incredibly powerful feature that I think is still amazingly under utilized is the Cisco VSS or Virtual Switching System.
The ability to make two 6500′s look like a single switch so that you can have your cake and eat it too. Its the epitome of giving us the redundancy and availability we need while simultaneously allowing us to use the extra capacity that could normally sit unused. Easier management and configuration make this a no-brainer that more network managers should consider as ‘required’ in their design. Check out our ‘Fundamentals of VSS‘ to get yourself started.
Networking is a lot like life. For example; remember your first stereo and how great it sounded out of the box? Oh yeah! Tunes jamming and you added +5 to your cool points. But after a few weeks you find yourself looking at other models with “new features”.
Now remember the first Virtual Switching System? A prized center piece of any network design for sure. Then as time passed we wondered; “If it could only have quad Supervisor support”.
