C9600-LC-48TX Cisco Catalyst 9600 48-Port Copper Line Card Switch

Cisco C9600-LC-48TX Catalyst 9600 Series Copper Line Card 

The Cisco C9600-LC-48TX Catalyst 9600 Series 48-Port Copper Line Card is engineered to deliver enterprise-grade switching performance for modern campus and core network infrastructures. Designed as a high-capacity plug-in module, this line card integrates seamlessly into Cisco Catalyst 9600 chassis-based switches, enabling scalable, secure, and high-speed wired connectivity.

With support for multi-gigabit Ethernet speeds and advanced traffic management capabilities, this module is optimized for bandwidth-intensive applications, converged networks, and next-generation digital workloads.

General Product Specifications

• Manufacturer: Cisco 
• Model Number: C9600-LC-48TX
• Device Category: Modular Switch Line Card
• Total Ports: 48 Ethernet Interfaces

Modular Design and Enclosure Type

• Enclosure Type: Hot-swappable plug-in line card
• Designed for Catalyst 9600 Series platforms
• Supports scalable and high-availability deployments

Supported Ethernet Speeds

• 100 Mbps Fast Ethernet
• 1 Gigabit Ethernet
• 2.5 Gigabit Ethernet
• 5 Gigabit Ethernet
• 10 Gigabit Ethernet

Exceptional Bandwidth Capacity

• Total Switching Bandwidth: Up to 2.4 Tbps
• Designed for non-blocking data transfer
• Supports large-scale campus and core environments

Advanced Data Protection with MACsec

• 256-bit AES encryption
• MACsec support for secure link-layer communication
• Helps prevent eavesdropping and data tampering

Quality of Service and Traffic Prioritization

• Granular QoS policy enforcement
• Improved application performance
• Reduced latency and packet loss

Ready for Next-Generation IP Networks

• Dual-stack IPv4 and IPv6 support
• Future-proof network design
• Improved scalability for growing networks

Industry-Recognized IEEE Standards

• IEEE 802.3 Ethernet
• IEEE 802.3ab Gigabit Ethernet over copper
• IEEE 802.3z Gigabit Ethernet
• IEEE 802.3x Flow Control

RJ-45 Copper Interfaces

• 48 x 1G / 2.5G / 5G / 10GBASE-T ports
• Backward compatible with legacy Ethernet devices
• Supports high-powered and high-throughput endpoints

Cisco Catalyst 9600 Series Copper Line Card Architecture

The Cisco C9600-LC-48TX Catalyst 9600 Series 48-Port Copper Line Card Switch is designed as an integral component of the Catalyst 9600 modular switching platform, delivering enterprise-grade copper Ethernet connectivity within a high-performance chassis-based core and aggregation environment. This category focuses on advanced copper line card solutions engineered to meet the demands of modern campus networks, where stability, scalability, and predictable performance are essential. The 48-port copper configuration supports widespread device connectivity while maintaining consistent throughput and low latency across the switching fabric.

Catalyst 9600 copper line cards are developed to integrate seamlessly with the Cisco Silicon One–powered architecture, enabling deterministic forwarding behavior and high availability. These line cards are purpose-built for environments requiring a balance between high-density access connectivity and centralized policy enforcement. The C9600-LC-48TX aligns with enterprise access aggregation strategies where copper-based endpoints remain prevalent, including office workstations, printers, IP devices, and building management systems.

Role of Copper Line Cards in Enterprise Core and Aggregation

The category of Catalyst 9600 copper line cards plays a vital role in bridging access-layer connectivity with the core switching infrastructure. While fiber uplinks are commonly used for backbone connectivity, copper ports continue to serve as a foundational interface for endpoint devices. The C9600-LC-48TX addresses this requirement by providing a dense, chassis-integrated solution that simplifies network design and reduces dependency on external access switches in certain deployment models.

By consolidating copper connectivity within the Catalyst 9600 chassis, organizations benefit from centralized management, unified software policy enforcement, and consistent operational visibility. This approach minimizes complexity while enhancing resiliency, particularly in large campuses, data-intensive enterprise buildings, and multi-floor office environments where copper endpoints are still standard.

Integration with Catalyst 9600 Chassis and Supervisors

The C9600-LC-48TX copper line card is engineered to operate cohesively with Catalyst 9600 supervisors and fabric modules. This integration ensures that forwarding decisions are handled efficiently through distributed hardware-based processing rather than relying on software-driven switching. The result is predictable latency and reliable packet delivery even under sustained traffic loads.

Chassis-level redundancy further enhances operational continuity. When deployed within a fully populated Catalyst 9600 system, copper line cards benefit from redundant power supplies, cooling systems, and supervisors, allowing enterprise networks to maintain uptime during maintenance cycles or unexpected hardware events.

Distributed Forwarding and Hardware-Based Switching

Within this category, distributed forwarding is a defining capability. Each copper line card contributes to overall system performance by participating in hardware-based packet forwarding. This design minimizes bottlenecks and supports consistent performance across all ports. The C9600-LC-48TX exemplifies this approach by delivering line-rate copper switching aligned with enterprise-grade expectations for reliability and throughput.

Scalability and Density Advantages of 48-Port Copper Configurations

The 48-port copper configuration represents an optimal density point for enterprise deployments seeking to maximize chassis slot utilization. By offering a high number of copper interfaces within a single line card, the Catalyst 9600 platform enables network architects to scale endpoint connectivity without expanding the physical footprint of the switching infrastructure. This category emphasizes efficient port density while maintaining operational simplicity.

Scalability within the Catalyst 9600 ecosystem extends beyond port count. The C9600-LC-48TX supports incremental growth strategies, allowing organizations to populate chassis slots as demand increases. This modular approach protects long-term investment by aligning capacity expansion with actual business requirements rather than forcing premature upgrades.

Support for Legacy and Modern Ethernet Endpoints

Copper-based Ethernet remains a critical connectivity medium for a wide range of devices. The Catalyst 9600 copper line card category is tailored to environments where legacy systems coexist with newer networked equipment. The C9600-LC-48TX provides consistent connectivity for desktops, embedded systems, industrial controllers, and network-enabled peripherals, ensuring compatibility across diverse device generations.

This versatility makes copper line cards particularly valuable in transitional network phases, where organizations are gradually migrating to higher-speed or fiber-based access while still supporting existing infrastructure.

Operational Efficiency Through Chassis Consolidation

Deploying copper ports directly within the Catalyst 9600 chassis reduces reliance on multiple standalone access switches. This consolidation improves operational efficiency by centralizing configuration, monitoring, and troubleshooting processes. Network administrators gain a single control plane for managing access policies, security features, and traffic flows across copper-connected endpoints.

From a cabling perspective, centralized copper termination can simplify network layouts in certain architectural designs, particularly in large equipment rooms or centralized wiring closets serving multiple floors or zones.

Advanced Software Features and Network Services Compatibility

The Cisco C9600-LC-48TX belongs to a category that fully leverages the advanced software capabilities of the Catalyst 9600 Series. These copper line cards operate under Cisco IOS XE, enabling a rich set of enterprise networking services. Policy-based segmentation, quality of service enforcement, and advanced telemetry are inherent advantages of deploying copper connectivity within this platform.

Software-defined access strategies benefit significantly from this integration. Copper endpoints connected through the C9600-LC-48TX can be incorporated into fabric-enabled designs, where identity-based policies are applied consistently regardless of physical interface type.

Automation and Programmability Support

Modern enterprise networks demand automation to reduce operational overhead and improve consistency. The Catalyst 9600 copper line card category supports programmable interfaces and automation frameworks, allowing organizations to integrate copper access ports into automated provisioning and configuration workflows. The C9600-LC-48TX thus becomes a foundational element in intent-based networking models.

By leveraging APIs and controller-based management platforms, network teams can dynamically adjust access policies, monitor port-level performance, and respond proactively to network events affecting copper-connected devices.

Enhanced Visibility and Telemetry for Copper Interfaces

Visibility into endpoint behavior is essential for maintaining performance and security. The Catalyst 9600 copper line card category provides detailed telemetry for copper ports, enabling real-time insights into traffic patterns, error rates, and utilization metrics. The C9600-LC-48TX supports comprehensive monitoring that assists in capacity planning and rapid issue resolution.

These telemetry capabilities integrate with analytics platforms to provide actionable intelligence, helping organizations optimize copper port usage and anticipate future expansion needs.

Reliability, High Availability, and Enterprise Resilience

Reliability is a cornerstone of the Catalyst 9600 Series, and copper line cards are engineered with the same resilience standards as the rest of the platform. The C9600-LC-48TX benefits from chassis-level redundancy, robust hardware design, and mature software features that collectively support continuous operation in mission-critical environments.

This category addresses enterprise requirements for nonstop connectivity, particularly in sectors such as finance, healthcare, education, and large corporate campuses where downtime can have significant operational impact.

Redundant System Components and Fault Tolerance

When deployed in a fully redundant Catalyst 9600 system, copper line cards operate within an environment designed to tolerate component failures. Redundant supervisors, power supplies, and cooling modules ensure that a single point of failure does not disrupt copper-connected endpoints. The C9600-LC-48TX continues to forward traffic seamlessly during component switchover events.

Hardware-level diagnostics further enhance reliability by detecting potential issues early, allowing proactive maintenance before service degradation occurs.

Software Resilience and In-Service Upgrades

Enterprise networks often require software updates without disrupting operations. The Catalyst 9600 copper line card category supports advanced software resilience features that enable in-service upgrades. The C9600-LC-48TX operates within this framework, allowing organizations to maintain security and feature parity while minimizing downtime for copper-connected devices.

Deployment Scenarios and Use Case Alignment

The Cisco C9600-LC-48TX copper line card category aligns with a wide range of deployment scenarios. In large campus environments, these line cards serve as high-density aggregation points for access-layer switches or directly connected endpoints. In centralized architectures, they provide a scalable alternative to distributed access switching.

Organizations with structured cabling investments benefit from extending the life of copper infrastructure while still adopting a modern, modular core platform. The C9600-LC-48TX supports this strategy by delivering enterprise-grade copper connectivity within a future-ready chassis.

Campus Core and Distribution Layer Applications

Within campus core and distribution layers, copper line cards can be used to aggregate access switches, management networks, or specialized systems requiring copper interfaces. The Catalyst 9600 Series provides the performance headroom needed to support these roles without compromising on scalability or policy consistency.