Impact of adding a WS-X6148A-GE-45AF classic linecard to an all-fabric 6509 system (Sup720, 67XX modules)

[bgfl-tech]

Hi,

We're about to install a new 6509-E chassis with dual Sup720-3B supervisors and dual 6724 SFP modules into a new large building to act as the distribution/aggregation switch for the site. We'll have multiple 3750 stacks dual-homed between the two SFP module blades and dual GigE uplinks to our core MPLS network.

We've had a lastminute request to provide PoE ports on the switch for some IP CCTV cameras as the 6509 itself will be protected by a UPS system. We have some spare 'classic bus' WS-X6148A-GE-45AF linecards we could use to achieve this but I've got a slight concern over the impact this may have on overall system performance.

I appreciate that inserting a classic bus line card will cause the box to switch from 'Compact' global switching mode to 'Truncated' and the overall forwarding performance will be reduced to 15Mpps but is there anything else to be considered/taken into account?

Thanks in advance

[siddhartham]

Yes check the Power requirements by using Cisco's power calculator, below is the link

http://tools.cisco.com/cpc/

It is simulator where you can select different sup modules, line cards and estimate whether you have min power supplies or not.

[bgfl-tech]

Thank you for the reply, you're absolutely right that the extra power requirement needs to be taken into account. I was thinking more along the lines of whether we're likely to see any other performance degradations / issues aside from the overall drop in total forwarding performance?

[Joseph W. Doherty · Accepted solution]

Disclaimer

The   Author of this posting offers the information contained within this   posting without consideration and with the reader's understanding that   there's no implied or expressed suitability or fitness for any   purpose.  Information provided is for informational purposes only and   should not be construed as rendering professional advice of any kind.   Usage of this  posting's information is solely at reader's own risk.

Liability Disclaimer

In  no event shall Author be liable for any damages whatsoever  (including,  without limitation, damages for loss of use, data or  profit) arising  out of the use or inability to use the posting's  information even if  Author has been advised of the possibility of such  damage.

Posting

If I remember correctly, and if not mistaken, the addition of the classic bus card won't impact performance for traffic between your fabric cards beyond whatever forwarding cycles it uses off the supervisor.  If your 6724s have DFCs, then they shouldn't be much impacted by the supervisor cycles being used by the classic card.