7600-ES+4TG3CXL Cisco 7600 Series 4x 10GB XFP Router Line Card

Overview of Cisco 7600-ES+4TG3CXL Router Line Card

The Cisco 7600-ES+4TG3CXL Router Line Card is engineered for high-speed networking, offering advanced scalability and robust performance for enterprise and service provider environments. This line card integrates seamlessly with Cisco 7600 Series chassis, delivering reliable connectivity and intelligent traffic management.

General Information

• Brand: Cisco
• Part Number: 7600-ES+4TG3CXL
• Category: Router Line Card

Port Availability

• 4 x 10 Gigabit Ethernet XFP interfaces

Supported Media

• Optical Fiber connections

Expansion Options

• Total Expansion Slots: 4
• Slot Type: XFP

Data Transfer Rate

• 10 Gigabits per second throughput

Forwarding Entries

• Up to 1 million hardware-based forwarding entries supported via DFC-3CXL

NetFlow Support

• Handles up to 256,000 NetFlow entries

MAC Address Scale

• Supports up to 96,000 MAC addresses per line card

Buffering Capabilities

• 512 MB packet memory
• Provides up to 200ms bidirectional buffering at 10 Gbps

Chassis Compatibility

• Supported on Cisco 7600 Series chassis: 7604, 7606, 7609, 7613
• Note: 7603 unsupported; 7603-S fully supported

Supervisor Engine Compatibility

• Compatible with Supervisor Engine 720 (Sup720)
• Route Switch Processor 720 (RSP720) and later versions supported

Power Consumption

• Maximum power usage: approximately 399 Watts

Cisco 7600-ES+4TG3CXL 7600 Series 10GB XFP Router Line Card

The Cisco 7600-ES+4TG3CXL router line card represents a high-performance, carrier-grade networking component engineered to support advanced routing, switching, and service delivery requirements in enterprise and service provider environments. Designed as part of the Cisco 7600 Series ecosystem, this enhanced services line card delivers exceptional throughput, deep packet inspection capabilities, and robust forwarding intelligence powered by the integrated Distributed Forwarding Card (DFC-3CXL). With four 10 Gigabit Ethernet XFP ports, it enables high-density, high-speed connectivity suitable for modern data center aggregation layers, metropolitan area networks, and high-capacity backbone infrastructures.

Architecture and Design Efficiency

Enhanced Services Line Card Framework

The ES+ architecture embedded within the Cisco 7600-ES+4TG3CXL module is purpose-built to deliver scalable Layer 2 and Layer 3 services with enhanced forwarding intelligence. This architecture leverages dedicated hardware acceleration to process packets at line rate while maintaining consistent latency across high-traffic conditions. By offloading packet processing from the supervisor engine, the ES+ design ensures optimal distribution of workloads, improving overall system performance and reliability.

Integration with Cisco 7600 Series Chassis

Seamless integration with Cisco 7600 Series routers allows this line card to operate as part of a modular and flexible networking platform. The compatibility with multiple supervisor engines and chassis configurations ensures that organizations can scale their infrastructure without replacing core systems. This design flexibility makes it suitable for evolving network demands where scalability and long-term investment protection are critical.

High-Speed Backplane Connectivity

The Cisco 7600-ES+4TG3CXL leverages high-capacity backplane connectivity to ensure efficient data transfer between line cards and supervisor engines. This internal bandwidth capability enables the module to handle large volumes of traffic without bottlenecks, supporting demanding applications such as video streaming, cloud computing, and large-scale enterprise data exchanges.

Performance Capabilities

4x 10 Gigabit Ethernet XFP Interfaces

Equipped with four 10 Gigabit Ethernet XFP ports, this line card provides high-speed connectivity that supports long-distance optical transmission and flexible deployment scenarios. The XFP interfaces enable compatibility with a wide range of optical transceivers, allowing network engineers to tailor connectivity based on distance, fiber type, and network topology requirements.

Distributed Forwarding Card (DFC-3CXL)

The integrated DFC-3CXL enhances forwarding performance by enabling local packet processing on the line card itself. This reduces the dependency on centralized forwarding decisions and significantly increases throughput. The DFC-3CXL is designed to handle extensive routing tables and complex access control policies, making it ideal for large-scale networks that demand high efficiency and scalability.

High Throughput and Low Latency

This line card is engineered to deliver consistent high throughput while maintaining low latency across all ports. Its hardware-based forwarding ensures deterministic performance, which is essential for latency-sensitive applications such as financial transactions, voice over IP communications, and real-time analytics.

Advanced Routing and Switching Features

Layer 2 and Layer 3 Capabilities

The Cisco 7600-ES+4TG3CXL supports a comprehensive set of Layer 2 and Layer 3 protocols, enabling seamless integration into complex network environments. It supports VLAN tagging, trunking, and advanced switching features alongside dynamic routing protocols such as OSPF, BGP, and EIGRP. These capabilities ensure efficient traffic management and optimized routing decisions across the network.

Multiprotocol Label Switching (MPLS)

Support for MPLS enables service providers and enterprises to deliver scalable and efficient traffic engineering solutions. The line card can handle label switching operations at high speeds, enabling the creation of virtual private networks and traffic prioritization strategies that enhance network performance and security.

Quality of Service (QoS) Mechanisms

Robust QoS capabilities allow administrators to prioritize critical traffic and manage bandwidth allocation effectively. The hardware-based QoS features ensure that high-priority applications receive the necessary resources, reducing congestion and maintaining service quality across the network.

Support for Large Routing Tables

The DFC-3CXL provides extended memory capacity, enabling support for large routing tables and complex network topologies. This scalability is essential for service providers and large enterprises that require extensive routing capabilities to handle diverse traffic patterns and growing network demands.

Modular Expansion Options

As part of a modular platform, the Cisco 7600 Series allows organizations to expand their network infrastructure by adding additional line cards as needed. This modular approach reduces the need for complete system upgrades and provides a cost-effective path to scaling network capacity.

Flexible Deployment Scenarios

The line card can be deployed in a variety of scenarios, including core routing, aggregation layers, and data center interconnects. Its versatility makes it suitable for both enterprise networks and service provider environments, where different deployment models require adaptable solutions.

Security Features

Access Control and Filtering

The line card supports extensive access control lists and filtering mechanisms, enabling administrators to enforce security policies at the hardware level. These features help protect the network from unauthorized access and potential threats.

Traffic Isolation and Segmentation

Through VLANs and MPLS-based segmentation, the Cisco 7600-ES+4TG3CXL allows for secure separation of network traffic. This capability is crucial for multi-tenant environments and service providers offering differentiated services to multiple customers.

Integrated Security Policies

Hardware-based security enforcement ensures that policies are applied consistently across all traffic flows. This approach enhances network security while maintaining high performance and minimizing processing overhead.

Compatibility and Interoperability

Support for Industry Standards

The Cisco 7600-ES+4TG3CXL adheres to industry-standard protocols and interfaces, ensuring compatibility with a wide range of networking equipment. This interoperability simplifies integration into existing infrastructures and reduces the complexity of network upgrades.

Optical Transceiver Flexibility

The XFP ports support various optical transceivers, allowing organizations to choose the appropriate modules for their specific requirements. This flexibility enables cost-effective deployment and adaptability to different network environments.

Backward Compatibility

Compatibility with earlier Cisco 7600 components ensures that organizations can upgrade their network incrementally without replacing existing infrastructure. This backward compatibility provides a smooth transition path and protects prior investments.

Future-Ready Networking

Support for Evolving Network Demands

As network requirements continue to evolve, the Cisco 7600-ES+4TG3CXL provides the performance and scalability needed to accommodate increasing traffic volumes and emerging applications. Its advanced architecture ensures readiness for future networking challenges.

Adaptability to Emerging Technologies

The line card supports technologies such as virtualization and cloud-based services, enabling organizations to modernize their networks without significant infrastructure changes. Its flexibility allows for seamless integration with next-generation networking solutions.

Long-Term Investment Value

By combining high performance, scalability, and compatibility, the Cisco 7600-ES+4TG3CXL represents a long-term investment in network infrastructure. Its ability to support diverse applications and evolving requirements ensures sustained value over time.

Engineering Excellence

Hardware Acceleration Techniques

The use of specialized ASICs within the line card enables hardware acceleration for packet forwarding and processing. This design reduces reliance on software-based operations, resulting in faster processing speeds and improved efficiency.

Memory Optimization

The DFC-3CXL incorporates enhanced memory resources to handle large forwarding tables and complex policy implementations. This memory optimization is critical for maintaining performance in large-scale networks with extensive routing requirements.

Precision Traffic Handling

Advanced traffic management capabilities ensure precise handling of data flows, reducing packet loss and improving overall network reliability. The line card’s design prioritizes accuracy and efficiency in packet processing, making it suitable for mission-critical applications.