WS-C4503E-S7L+48V+ Cisco 3-slot Catalyst Switch Chassis

Cisco WS-C4503E-S7L+48V+ Catalyst Switch Chassis Overview

The Cisco WS-C4503E-S7L+48V+ is a high-performance, manageable Catalyst switch chassis designed for enterprise networks that demand reliability, scalability, and advanced networking capabilities. This 3-slot chassis supports flexible expansion and delivers seamless network management for modern data centers and enterprise environments.

Key Product Details

• Manufacturer: Cisco
• Model Number: WS-C4503E-S7L+48V+
• Product Type: Network Switch
• Chassis Type: 3-slot Manageable Switch

Interface & Expansion Capabilities

Ports and Slots

• Total Expansion Slots: 3
• Slot Details: Compatible with Line Cards and Supervisor Engines
• Fixed Ports/Expansion Slot Configuration: 3 Gigabit Ethernet slots, 2 x 10 Gigabit Ethernet X2 ports

Connectivity Standards

• Supports Gigabit Ethernet connectivity
• Compliant with 10/100/1000Base-TX technology
• Layer 2 switching support for efficient network traffic management
• Fully manageable for configuration and monitoring

Performance & Technology Features

• High-speed data transfer with Gigabit Ethernet interfaces
• Supports Layer 2 network standards for reliable switching
• Designed for redundancy and high availability with dual power supply options

Physical & Rack Specifications

• Form Factor: Rack-mountable
• Rack Unit Size: 7U
• Dimensions: Height: 12.3 in | Width: 17.3 in | Depth: 12.5 in
• Optimized for space-saving in data centers

Compliance, Environmental & Assembly Details

Regulatory Standards

• Meets FCC and RoHS standards
• Eco-friendly design to support sustainable IT infrastructure

Power & Assembly

• Requires assembly upon installation
• Powered via integrated power supply
• Supports redundant power for uninterrupted operation

Cisco WS-C4503-E 3 Slot Switch Chassis

The Cisco WS-C4503-E 3 Slot Switch Chassis is a high-performance, enterprise-grade Layer 3 switch that belongs to the renowned Catalyst 4500 E-Series family. Designed for mission-critical environments, this switch chassis provides exceptional scalability, reliability, and high availability to support demanding network operations. The 3-slot configuration allows for flexible module installation, catering to both current networking requirements and future growth, ensuring that organizations can expand their network infrastructure without replacing the chassis.

Enterprise Network Integration

The Catalyst 4500 E-Series switches, including the WS-C4503-E, are engineered to integrate seamlessly into enterprise network architectures. These switches support both Layer 2 and Layer 3 protocols, offering advanced routing capabilities and efficient traffic management. With support for extensive VLAN configurations and comprehensive routing protocols such as OSPF, EIGRP, and BGP, the WS-C4503-E ensures smooth interconnectivity across complex network topologies. This switch chassis is ideal for enterprise campus backbones, core networks, and data center aggregation layers, where high throughput and low latency are crucial for performance.

High-Performance Layer 3 Switching

Performance is a defining feature of the Cisco WS-C4503-E. Its Layer 3 capabilities allow for rapid packet forwarding and intelligent routing, ensuring minimal network congestion even under heavy workloads. The switch chassis supports multicast routing, IPv4 and IPv6 dual-stack environments, and policy-based routing, allowing network administrators to optimize traffic flows based on organizational needs. The combination of high port density and advanced Layer 3 features enables enterprises to maintain efficient network performance while scaling operations across multiple departments or campuses.

Advanced Routing Features

The WS-C4503-E chassis offers a comprehensive suite of routing features, making it suitable for complex enterprise networks. With full support for dynamic routing protocols, such as OSPF, EIGRP, and BGP, the switch can dynamically adjust to network changes, providing optimal path selection and redundancy. Additionally, the chassis supports static routing, VRF instances, and route summarization, enabling precise control over traffic distribution. Enterprises that rely on multiple interconnected sites benefit from the switch’s robust routing capabilities, which ensure seamless connectivity and resilience in multi-branch deployments.

Modular Architecture and Scalability

One of the key advantages of the Cisco WS-C4503-E is its modular chassis design, which provides exceptional flexibility and scalability. With three available slots, organizations can deploy various line cards, supervisor engines, and network modules based on current and future requirements. This modular approach allows enterprises to incrementally expand their network capacity without incurring the costs and downtime associated with full chassis replacements. Additionally, the chassis supports redundant supervisor engines, ensuring uninterrupted network operation and high availability for critical business applications.

Flexible Line Card Options

The WS-C4503-E supports a wide range of line cards, enabling enterprises to customize the switch to meet specific port density, bandwidth, and interface type requirements. Line cards supporting Gigabit Ethernet, 10 Gigabit Ethernet, and even higher speeds are available, allowing organizations to optimize performance for demanding workloads. This flexibility ensures that the switch chassis can accommodate high-bandwidth applications such as video conferencing, cloud computing, and large-scale virtualization deployments. Furthermore, line card modularity simplifies maintenance and upgrades, reducing the operational impact on network operations.

Supervisor Engine Capabilities

The performance and feature set of the WS-C4503-E are largely determined by the installed supervisor engine. These engines provide advanced network intelligence, control plane processing, and high availability features such as Stateful Switchover (SSO) and Nonstop Forwarding (NSF). With dual supervisor engine support, the chassis can operate in a redundant configuration, ensuring that network services remain uninterrupted even during supervisor maintenance or failure. The supervisor engine also manages policy enforcement, Quality of Service (QoS), and security features, delivering comprehensive network control to administrators.

Reliability and High Availability

Reliability is a critical factor for enterprise networking, and the Cisco WS-C4503-E excels in delivering high availability. The chassis is engineered with redundant power supplies and cooling fans to ensure continuous operation. Fan modules are hot-swappable, allowing for maintenance without network downtime, and the chassis’ thermal design ensures optimal airflow to maintain operational efficiency. The Catalyst 4500 E-Series chassis also supports in-service software upgrades, enabling administrators to apply patches and updates without disrupting network traffic. This high degree of reliability makes the WS-C4503-E suitable for environments where network uptime is paramount.

Redundant Power and Cooling Systems

The WS-C4503-E chassis incorporates multiple power supply units and advanced cooling mechanisms to ensure consistent operation. Redundant power modules provide backup in the event of a power supply failure, maintaining uninterrupted service for critical network operations. The chassis’ fan system is designed to support dynamic cooling based on environmental conditions, optimizing energy consumption while preventing overheating. These features contribute to the overall resilience of the switch, allowing enterprises to maintain robust network performance under demanding conditions.

Hot-Swappable Components

Hot-swappable components, including fans, power supplies, and line cards, enhance the operational flexibility of the WS-C4503-E. Administrators can replace or upgrade these components without powering down the chassis, minimizing disruption to network services. This capability is particularly valuable in enterprise environments where network availability directly impacts productivity and business continuity. The combination of hot-swappable modules, redundant systems, and intelligent supervisor engines positions the WS-C4503-E as a reliable and future-proof choice for large-scale network deployments.

Security and Network Management

Security is a fundamental aspect of the Cisco Catalyst 4500 E-Series, and the WS-C4503-E incorporates comprehensive features to protect enterprise networks. The chassis supports advanced access control lists (ACLs), role-based access control, and integration with Cisco Identity Services Engine (ISE) for centralized policy enforcement. Network segmentation, VPN support, and secure management protocols enhance the protection of sensitive data and prevent unauthorized access. These security capabilities ensure that enterprise networks maintain integrity, confidentiality, and compliance with industry regulations.

Comprehensive Network Monitoring

The WS-C4503-E integrates seamlessly with Cisco’s network management solutions, providing administrators with real-time monitoring and analytics. Tools such as Cisco Prime Infrastructure and Cisco DNA Center enable centralized management, configuration, and monitoring of the switch chassis. Administrators can track traffic patterns, detect anomalies, and proactively manage network performance. This level of visibility ensures that network issues are identified and resolved before they impact critical business operations, supporting proactive network management strategies.

Quality of Service and Traffic Optimization

To ensure optimal performance for mission-critical applications, the WS-C4503-E provides robust Quality of Service (QoS) capabilities. The switch can classify, prioritize, and manage network traffic based on policies, ensuring that high-priority applications such as voice, video, and cloud services receive the necessary bandwidth. Traffic shaping and congestion management features further optimize network performance, reducing latency and packet loss. Enterprises can rely on these capabilities to deliver consistent application performance and maintain user satisfaction across the network.

Deployment Scenarios

The Cisco WS-C4503-E 3 Slot Switch Chassis is suitable for a wide range of deployment scenarios, from enterprise campus networks to service provider aggregation layers. In campus environments, the chassis serves as a core or distribution switch, providing high-speed connectivity and intelligent routing between access layers. For data centers, it functions as an aggregation switch, consolidating traffic from multiple access switches and supporting high-bandwidth workloads. The modularity, reliability, and advanced features of the WS-C4503-E make it a versatile choice for diverse networking environments.

Enterprise Campus Networks

In campus networks, the WS-C4503-E acts as the backbone that interconnects multiple access switches and ensures seamless communication across departments. Its Layer 3 capabilities enable efficient routing and traffic optimization, supporting applications such as video conferencing, unified communications, and cloud access. The chassis’ modular design allows administrators to scale the network as the organization grows, adding line cards and supervisor engines without disrupting ongoing operations. This flexibility ensures that campus networks remain agile and capable of adapting to evolving business needs.

Data Center Aggregation and Core Networks

For data center deployments, the WS-C4503-E provides high-performance aggregation and core network functionality. Its high port density and Layer 3 intelligence allow for efficient consolidation of traffic from multiple access switches, reducing latency and improving overall network efficiency. Enterprises that rely on virtualization, cloud services, or large-scale storage solutions benefit from the switch’s ability to handle demanding workloads while maintaining low packet loss and minimal jitter. Redundant components and in-service software upgrade capabilities further enhance its suitability for critical data center operations.

Compatibility and Interoperability

The Cisco WS-C4503-E is designed to integrate seamlessly with other Cisco networking products, including Catalyst access switches, Nexus data center switches, and security appliances. Its compatibility with Cisco’s software ecosystem ensures that organizations can leverage unified management, consistent policies, and automated workflows across the network. Additionally, the chassis supports industry-standard protocols and interoperability with third-party networking equipment, providing flexibility for mixed-vendor environments. This ensures that enterprises can build scalable and cohesive network infrastructures without vendor lock-in.

Software Features and Enhancements

The switch chassis supports Cisco IOS Software, which provides a robust suite of features for routing, switching, security, and network management. Software enhancements such as Virtual Switching System (VSS) support, policy-based routing, and advanced multicast capabilities enable enterprises to optimize network performance and reliability. The WS-C4503-E also supports Cisco Smart Operations and telemetry features, allowing administrators to monitor network health and performance metrics in real-time. These software capabilities extend the value of the hardware and enhance overall network efficiency.

Future-Proof Network Infrastructure

The modularity, scalability, and software extensibility of the WS-C4503-E make it a future-proof investment for enterprise networks. Organizations can deploy the chassis today while retaining the ability to expand capacity, upgrade performance, and adopt new technologies as they emerge. This long-term adaptability reduces capital expenditures and ensures that the network can continue to support evolving business requirements. The WS-C4503-E exemplifies Cisco’s commitment to providing enterprise-class switches that combine reliability, performance, and innovation in a single chassis solution.