WS-X6548-GE-45AF= Cisco 48 Ports Ethernet Module

Product Overview of Cisco WS-X6548-GE-45AF=

The Cisco WS-X6548-GE-45AF= is a high-performance Gigabit Ethernet switching module designed for Cisco Catalyst 6500 Series switches. This classic interface module delivers reliable wired connectivity, advanced management features, and integrated Power over Ethernet (PoE) to support enterprise-grade network infrastructures.

General Product Information

Manufacturer and Identification

• Brand: Cisco
• Model Number: WS-X6548-GE-45AF=
• Product Type: Gigabit Ethernet Interface Module
• Module Category: Switching Plug-in Module

Key Specifications

Network Connectivity and Port Configuration

• Total Ports: 48 Ethernet ports
• Connection Type: Wired networking
• Form Factor: Hot-swappable plug-in module

Data Transmission and Supported Protocols

Ethernet Cabling Types

• 10Base-T Ethernet
• 100Base-TX Fast Ethernet
• 1000Base-TX Gigabit Ethernet

Networking Protocol Support

• Ethernet
• Fast Ethernet
• Gigabit Ethernet

Maximum Throughput

• Up to 1 Gbps data transfer rate per port

Key Features of the Gigabit Ethernet Module

Advanced Capabilities

• Full-duplex communication support
• Integrated Power over Ethernet (PoE)
• Optimized performance for enterprise switching

Performance and Network Management

Cabling and Transmission Compatibility

• Backward compatibility with 10/100 Mbps Ethernet
• High-speed 1000 Mbps Gigabit Ethernet support

Management and Monitoring Protocols

SNMP Management

• SNMP v1
• SNMP v2
• SNMP v3

RMON Capabilities

• RMON 1
• RMON 2
• RMON 3
• RMON 9

Industry Standards and Compliance

Supported IEEE Ethernet Standards

• IEEE 802.3
• IEEE 802.3z
• IEEE 802.3ab

Switching, VLAN, and Traffic Control Standards

• IEEE 802.1D (Spanning Tree)
• IEEE 802.1Q (VLAN tagging)
• IEEE 802.1p (Quality of Service)

Link Aggregation and Flow Control

• IEEE 802.3ad (LACP)
• IEEE 802.3x Flow Control

Spanning Tree and PoE Compliance

• IEEE 802.1w (Rapid Spanning Tree)
• IEEE 802.1s (Multiple Spanning Tree)
• IEEE 802.3af Power over Ethernet

Architectural Overview and Role in the Catalyst 6500 Ecosystem

The Catalyst 6500 series is a modular chassis system, where the intelligence and capabilities are largely defined by the choice of supervisor engine and line cards. The WS-X6548-GE-45AF= is a line card that slides into any slot (excluding the supervisor slots) of a compatible 6500 chassis, instantly adding 48 Gigabit Ethernet ports to the system.

Key System Integration Features

This module was engineered to integrate seamlessly into the 6500's distributed forwarding architecture. Its design reflects the core principles of the platform:

Centralized vs. Distributed Forwarding

Depending on the supervisor engine (like the Sup720 or Sup32), this module could operate in either centralized mode (where the supervisor makes all forwarding decisions) or leverage the advanced Distributed Forwarding Card (DFC) option. A DFC-equipped version of this module, the WS-X6548-GE-DFC, could perform forwarding decisions locally on the module itself, dramatically increasing the aggregate throughput of the entire chassis and reducing latency.

Fabric Connectivity

The module connects to the chassis's backplane fabric, a 32 Gbps shared bus (Classic) or a 20 Gbps per-slot dedicated fabric (fabric-enabled). This connection is the highway for all inter-module traffic, making fabric bandwidth a critical consideration when populating a chassis with multiple high-density cards.

Detailed Technical Specifications and Hardware Anatomy

A deep dive into the specifications reveals why this module was so widely adopted for specific use cases.

Port Configuration and Interface Details

The module provides 48 fixed 10/100/1000BASE-T Gigabit Ethernet ports using standard RJ-45 connectors. This autosensing capability allowed for seamless integration with existing Fast Ethernet devices while paving the way for Gigabit upgrades.

The "45AF" Designation: Power over Ethernet

The "AF" in the product ID is crucial. It stands for Advanced Power over Ethernet (PoE), specifically the pre-standard or 802.3af PoE capability. This meant the module could deliver up to 15.4 watts of power per port over the data cables to connected devices. This feature transformed the 6500 from a mere aggregator into a power source for a vast array of devices:

IP Phones (Cisco SIP phones)Wireless Access Points (Aironet 1100, 1200 series)
IP Surveillance Cameras
Any 802.3af-compliant end device

The module's total power budget was a key planning factor, as the chassis power supplies needed to support the cumulative PoE demand of all installed modules.

Performance and Switching Capacities

As a line card, its performance is intrinsically tied to the chassis architecture.

Forwarding Rate and Bandwidth

On its own, the module is capable of wire-speed switching on all ports. However, the actual throughput to other modules or to the network core is governed by the fabric connection. In a fabric-enabled system with a capable supervisor, it could support near-wire-speed performance across the chassis for all 48 ports simultaneously, making it ideal for server farm deployments where east-west traffic is high.

Buffer Memory and Queuing

The module features dedicated packet buffer memory to handle traffic bursts and prevent drops during congestion, especially important in aggregated environments. It supports sophisticated queuing mechanisms (like Weighted Round Robin and Strict Priority) when configured through Cisco IOS Software, enabling quality of service (QoS) for voice and video traffic.

Primary Deployment Scenarios and Use Cases

The WS-X6548-GE-45AF= was not a one-size-fits-all solution; it excelled in specific architectural positions.

Data Center Server Aggregation

This was its flagship role. Rack-mounted servers with Gigabit NICs could be directly connected to this module, providing a high-density, low-latency aggregation layer within a Catalyst 6500 chassis acting as a data center switch. The PoE capability was often unused here, but the port density was paramount.

Enterprise Wiring Closet Consolidation

In large campus networks, the Catalyst 6500 often served as a building or floor distribution switch. This module allowed it to connect up to 48 end-user devices, IP phones, and wireless access points from the wiring closet. The integrated PoE simplified cabling and power infrastructure for VoIP and wireless deployments.

High-Capacity Network Core for Mid-Size Organizations

For mid-size enterprises, a fully loaded 6500 chassis with several of these modules could constitute the entire network core, connecting to distribution switches, data servers, and critical infrastructure—all with the robustness and feature set of enterprise-class Cisco IOS.

Software Features and Management Capabilities

The hardware is empowered by the Cisco IOS Software running on the supervisor engine. This module supported a comprehensive suite of Layer 2 and Layer 3 features.

Layer 2 Switching Features

All ports fully supported VLAN trunking (802.1Q), Rapid Spanning Tree Protocol (RSTP), Multiple Spanning Tree (MST), and advanced security features like port security, ACLs on bridged traffic, and DHCP snooping.

Compatibility Considerations and Integration

Deploying this module requires careful attention to compatibility.

Chassis Compatibility Matrix

The WS-X6548-GE-45AF= is compatible with:

Catalyst 6500 Series Chassis:

Includes the 6503, 6504, 6506, 6509, and 6513. Compatibility also depends on the backplane type (Classic or Fabric).

Catalyst 6800 Series Chassis:

Offers backward compatibility in certain configurations, but thorough verification of the compatibility matrix is essential.

Supervisor Engine and IOS Software Requirements

The module requires a supervisor engine that supports it (Sup2, Sup720, Sup32, etc.) and a specific minimum version of Cisco IOS or Catalyst OS (CatOS). For example, full PoE functionality and advanced features require IOS 12.2(18)SXE or later. Always consult the official Cisco release notes.

Power Supply and Cooling Requirements

This is a high-power module, especially when PoE is utilized. The chassis must be equipped with adequate power supplies (e.g., 2500W, 4000W, etc.) to handle the load. Additionally, proper chassis cooling is required to manage the thermal output of a fully populated system.