What the heck does "fabric enabled" really mean??

[lamav]

I have searched Cisco's website high and low for a GOOD explanation of what exactly fabric enabled means but I cant find it.

Anyone have anything to offer in this regard?

[Edison Ortiz]

Fabric Enabled means the module has an additional connection directly onto the switch fabric.

For instance, this is a 6748 card - fabric enabled. You see both connectors in the back ? The rightmost interface connects to the Bus and the leftmost interface connect to the fabric.

http://i20.tinypic.com/2lnbb5u.jpg

I also suggest you read this link:

http://www.cisco.com/en/US/products/hw/switches/ps708/products_white_paper0900aecd80673385.shtml

[lamav]

Eison:

Thanks, buddy. Im getting a better picture.

I am trying to recommend a robust LAN campus/user-access switch for mission critical Tier 1 sites for a financial comp.

I am thinking that the 6509 with dual SUP32-PISA is a great choice. Its not fabric enabled, though. It just uses the classic 32Gbps bus.

For the Server farm access, i was going to recommend a 6509 with dual SUP 720s and 10 Gig uplink capability.

What do you think about both recommendations?

Thank you once again

[Edison Ortiz]

Are you planning to use the PISA for user access ? If so, I recommend looking at the 4500 line for that task.

PISA is great for distribution switch, great NBAR hardware support and SUP720 is great at the Core and/or server farm.

[lamav]

You know, my initial thought was to recommend the 4507R with dual sup V, but I had second thoughts after I cosidered the idea that it is getting to be an old platform.

The client is lookign for a next generation switch to support a "world class data center." I cant help but think that the 6500 may be the better platform....I am not sure.

[lamav]

Let me reiterate....these switches would be for the LAN/user access..

For Server access (servar farm) I would definitely use fabric enabled dual SUP 720s

[Edison Ortiz]

Propose both and see what the budget allows.