Upgrading from 6509e Chassis

[rrobinson2191]

Good Morning/Afternoon/Evening/Day,

Current infrastructure:

6509e Chassis with supervisor cards and blade switches purchase ca2011 

Future:

3850s/9300s Stacked Switches 

Network:

We have an 10gbps Single mode fiber running between 4 6509e.  We have an EtherChannel setup between these core switches.  The 6509s then connect to edge switches (Mix of 2950,3650,3750)(In process of upgrading all 2900 series to 3650 switches)  This is a university campus.  We do not have alot of heavy traffic, but we have a pretty steady flow.  FTE is around 450, and student pop is 3200.

Each 6509 has at least the following:

1 supervisor card

3 48 port cards

12 fiber ports (not all used)

Reason for Upgrade:

We haven't had any issues with the 6509s, but I am being told that I will have about 100k to do a project.  The project can be anything under "IT"  no strings attached kind of money.  So I am researching if it would be prudent to replace the 6509e chassis with stacked switches.  

I've read one article where the 9300 series was recommended based on the load described, but I dont think the university is producing that much network traffic.  We have roughly 20 vlans.  with about 600 University owned devices on campus.  Students bring in their own (wireless) which is handled by our Aruba system.  

Please let me know if you need more information to help discuss the pros/cons of my idea.

Sincerely,

Richard

[balaji.bandi]

Since you have only 1 supervisor card ( we do not the module code yet) you expect to have downtime while upgrading this.

Hope this is acceptable to business. then show us what is the current version of IOS image running and what supervisor model in the chassis, so we can suggest best stable way to upgrade with stable version of IOS.

Post the output of :

show version

show modules.

[rrobinson2191]

Good Morning,

I am not wanting to upgrade the IOS on the 6509e-- I am looking at the total replacement to current infrastructure.

But just in case it can be useful:

Cisco IOS Software, s2t54 Software (s2t54-IPSERVICESK9-M), Version 15.0(1)SY, RELEASE SOFTWARE (fc5)

ROM: System Bootstrap, Version 12.2(50r)SYS2, RELEASE SOFTWARE (fc1)

System image file is "bootdisk:s2t54-ipservicesk9-mz.SPA.150-1.SY.bin"
Last reload reason: Reload Command

cisco WS-C6509-E (M8572) processor (revision ) with 1769472K/262144K bytes of memory.
Processor board ID SMG1550N0CM
CPU: MPC8572_E, Version: 2.1, (0x80E80021)
CORE: E500, Version: 3.0, (0x80210030)
CPU:1500MHz, CCB:600MHz, DDR:600MHz
L1: D-cache 32 kB enabled
I-cache 32 kB enabled

Last reset from s/w reset
43 Virtual Ethernet interfaces
150 Gigabit Ethernet interfaces
12 Ten Gigabit Ethernet interfaces
2543K bytes of non-volatile configuration memory.

Configuration register is 0x2102

TechCenter6509#show module
Mod Ports Card Type Model Serial No.
--- ----- -------------------------------------- ------------------ -----------
1 8 DCEF2T 8 port 10GE WS-X6908-10G SAL1547VRG4
2 48 48 port 10/100/1000 IEEE 802.3AT WS-X6148E-GE-45AT SAL1552ZF6S
3 48 48 port 10/100/1000 IEEE 802.3AT WS-X6148E-GE-45AT SAL1552Z7U9
4 48 48 port 10/100/1000 IEEE 802.3AT WS-X6148E-GE-45AT SAL1552ZF6H
5 5 Supervisor Engine 2T 10GE w/ CTS (Acti VS-SUP2T-10G SAL1552Z77B
6 5 Supervisor Engine 2T 10GE w/ CTS (Hot) VS-SUP2T-10G SAL1551YMH0

Mod MAC addresses Hw Fw Sw Status
--- ---------------------------------- ------ ------------ ------------ -------
1 30e4.dbd1.11e8 to 30e4.dbd1.132f 1.1 12.2(50r)SYL 15.0(1)SY Ok
2 649e.f342.8ca0 to 649e.f342.8de4 1.2 8.4(1) 15.0(1)SY Ok
3 649e.f342.95d0 to 649e.f342.9714 1.2 8.4(1) 15.0(1)SY Ok
4 649e.f342.8cd0 to 649e.f342.8e14 1.2 8.4(1) 15.0(1)SY Ok
5 588d.09e6.9a82 to 588d.09e6.9bbf 1.2 12.2(50r)SYS 15.0(1)SY Ok
6 588d.09e6.9409 to 588d.09e6.9546 1.2 12.2(50r)SYS 15.0(1)SY Ok

Mod Sub-Module Model Serial Hw Status
---- --------------------------- ------------------ ----------- ------- -------
1 Distributed Forwarding Card WS-F6K-DFC4-E SAL1547W4PV 1.1 Ok
2 IEEE Voice Daughter Card WS-F6K-48-AT SAL1552ZCFL 1.0 Ok
3 IEEE Voice Daughter Card WS-F6K-48-AT SAL1551Z0TU 1.0 Ok
4 IEEE Voice Daughter Card WS-F6K-48-AT SAL1552ZCEM 1.0 Ok
5 Policy Feature Card 4 VS-F6K-PFC4 SAL1550XNE2 1.1 Ok
5 CPU Daughterboard VS-F6K-MSFC5 SAL1552ZHDA 1.3 Ok
6 Policy Feature Card 4 VS-F6K-PFC4 SAL1551YNM8 1.1 Ok
6 CPU Daughterboard VS-F6K-MSFC5 SAL1550Y1ZN 1.3 Ok

Mod Online Diag Status
---- -------------------
1 Pass
2 Pass
3 Pass
4 Pass
5 Pass
6 Pass

Thanks

[balaji.bandi]

Cat 9600 just released, if you can contact local SE or partner they can give you exact time for the product available for delivery.

[Scott Hodgdon]

rrobinson2191,

Are you looking to replace all 4 6509 for your $100K budget ?

Do you need a like-for-like replacement (2 x Supervisor, 3 x 48-port copper supporting PoE+ , 1 x 8 port 10G fiber) , or do you wish something else ? If something else, please specify.

Cheers,
Scott Hodgdon

Senior Technical Marketing Engineer

Enterprise Networking Group

[rrobinson2191]

Good Morning,

Thanks for replying.

My goal- to replace as many of the 6509 as possible within the budget.  

As far as equivalent replacement, I need the same/if not more port density and the ability to do etherchannels between the sites on campus.  I also need the replacements to have POE.

We are not being limited by the current hardware, but we are interested in upgrading to maybe take advantage of some of the newer features.

Thanks,

[balaji.bandi]

As per Cisco CVD, 96XX / Cat 95XX / 6800 as Core ( Since 6800 going to retire soon)

To protect your investment longer, suggest to go for Cat 9600  (Modular) / 9500 stackwise for longterrm.

Some place i have seen people deployed Cat 9400 also as Core / Distribute, again depends on requirement. and feature you looking to do.

[Scott Hodgdon]

rrobinson2191,

If PoE is a requirement then 9600 is off the table as there is no PoE support in that chassis.

This brings you to Catalyst 9400 as a replacement as it offers PoE, 1/10G Fiber and up to 10-slot chassis.

Cheers,
Scott Hodgdon

Senior Technical Marketing Engineer

Enterprise Networking Group

[rrobinson2191]

Good Morning,

Thank you all the responses. 

I was just counting my fiber connections and I think a 24 port fiber switch would more cover current capacity and provide for growth, and then replace the 3 48-port blades with either the 3650 or 3800 series switches.

What significant advantage/disadvantage would be present with that solution.

[balaji.bandi]

if you looking as Core, still i prefer as 9500 with SFP ports. ( since 9300 can not have them now)

3850 should be good.. since Cisco moving towards Cat9K for longer run, RoI point of view i will consider Cat 9K

again its all your business call with budget, for now you go with 3850 when you ready go to 9K

[Scott Hodgdon · Accepted solution]

rrobinson2191,

You should focus on Catalyst 9000 series for any replacement. The advantage of a chassis is that you have backplane power redundancy (not possible with 3650 as it has no StackPower support),  single license to deal with (not possible if you use a stack) and modularity for growth. The lifespan of a chassis is much longer than a stackable (as you know from your 6509-E as well, probably :-) ).

The Catalyst 9400 would fit all your needs and would be cheaper than stacking once you get above 3 or 4 in a stack. It has 1G fiber and 1/10G fiber options, as well as several 10/100/1000 and 100/1000/2.5G/5G/10G copper options.

Cheers,

Scott Hodgdon

Senior Technical Marketing Engineer

Enterprise Networking Group

[rrobinson2191]

Thank you for your input. We will be looking more into upgrades in 18-24 months, so I will make a note in the project about 9000 series.

have a good Day.