WS-C4506E-GE-96V Cisco Catalyst L4 6-Slot Switch Chassis

Cisco WS-C4506E-GE-96V Catalyst 4500 Series Switch Chassis

Core Product Details

• Brand: Cisco
• SKU / Part Number: WS-C4506E-GE-96V
• Device Category: Network Switch
• Form Factor: Modular Chassis

Catalyst 4500 Platform Overview

The Cisco Catalyst 4506-E chassis is designed for enterprise-grade networks requiring scalability, stability, and advanced traffic handling. Built within the Catalyst 4500 product family, this chassis delivers a balance of modular flexibility and high-performance switching to support evolving infrastructure demands.

Model & Series Identification

• Product Line: Catalyst 4500 Series
• Chassis Model: 4506-E
• Switch Architecture: Modular with PoE capability

Expansion & Modular Architecture

A flexible slot-based structure allows the chassis to adapt to growing bandwidth and connectivity needs. The modular design simplifies upgrades while protecting existing investments.

Slot Availability & Compatibility

• Total Expansion Slots: 6
• Supported Modules: Line cards and supervisor engines
• Upgrade-Friendly Design for future scalability

Network Growth Advantages

• Supports incremental hardware expansion
• Allows customization for access or distribution layers
• Reduces long-term deployment costs

Advanced Networking & Traffic Handling

Operating at Layer 4, the Cisco WS-C4506E-GE-96V enhances application-aware traffic control, improving performance for data, voice, and video workloads.

Performance Capabilities

• Layer 4 switching support
• Optimized traffic prioritization
• Reliable data forwarding for enterprise environments

Management, Monitoring & Control

Comprehensive management options provide administrators with granular visibility and control over the switching environment, simplifying configuration and maintenance.

Supported Management Platforms

• Cisco Network Assistant
• CiscoWorks LAN Management Solution (LMS)
• CiscoWorks Resource Manager Essentials (RME)

Protocols & Standards Compliance

• SNMP v2c and RMON monitoring
• HTTP, DHCP, Telnet, and CLI access
• IEEE 802.1p Quality of Service
• IEEE 802.1q VLAN tagging

Operational Control Benefits

• Centralized configuration and monitoring
• Enhanced visibility into network activity
• Efficient troubleshooting and diagnostics

Power & Reliability Features

Designed for mission-critical environments, this chassis includes robust power options to maintain uptime and support connected devices.

Power over Ethernet Capabilities

• PoE support through RJ-45 interfaces
• Supplies power to compatible network devices

Power Supply Design

• Integrated power supply included
• Redundant power supply support for high availability
• Improved resilience against power failures

Cisco Catalyst 4500E Series Modular Switching Architecture

The Cisco WS-C4506E-GE-96V Catalyst L4 6-Slot Switch Chassis belongs to the Cisco Catalyst 4500E Series, a family of enterprise-class modular switches engineered for scalable campus networks, data aggregation layers, and high-performance enterprise infrastructures. This category of modular switching solutions is designed to deliver a balance of performance, flexibility, resiliency, and long-term investment protection. The 4500E Series chassis-based switches are widely adopted in environments that demand high port density, advanced Layer 4 capabilities, consistent throughput, and robust redundancy options while maintaining operational simplicity.

Within this category, the 6-slot chassis configuration represents a versatile mid-range form factor that accommodates a wide range of line cards, supervisor engines, and power configurations. The WS-C4506E-GE-96V specifically emphasizes Gigabit Ethernet connectivity and enhanced power delivery, making it suitable for Power over Ethernet-intensive deployments, converged voice and data networks, and large-scale access or distribution layer designs. The modular architecture allows organizations to scale performance and port capacity incrementally while preserving the core chassis investment.

Enterprise-Class Modular Design Philosophy

The Catalyst 4500E modular switch category is built around a chassis-based design philosophy that separates forwarding, control, and physical connectivity into independent components. This architectural approach enables network administrators to adapt the switch to evolving requirements by selecting appropriate supervisor engines, network modules, and power supplies. The WS-C4506E-GE-96V chassis provides six available slots that support a combination of supervisor modules and line cards, enabling flexible deployment models across diverse enterprise scenarios.

Modular switches in this category are commonly used where network growth, uptime, and performance consistency are critical. Unlike fixed-configuration switches, the 4500E Series allows incremental upgrades without full hardware replacement. This makes the category particularly attractive for organizations with long lifecycle expectations, predictable growth trajectories, and a need for operational continuity during expansions or technology refreshes.

Six-Slot Chassis Capabilities and Slot Utilization

The six-slot chassis form factor defines the physical and logical foundation of the Cisco WS-C4506E-GE-96V category. Slot availability allows for one or two supervisor engines depending on redundancy requirements, while the remaining slots can be populated with a variety of Gigabit Ethernet line cards. This configuration enables a balance between port density and system resiliency, making the category suitable for medium to large enterprise networks that require both capacity and fault tolerance.

Slot-based architecture allows administrators to design networks that align precisely with application demands. High-density Gigabit Ethernet modules can be installed to support large user populations, while redundant supervisor engines can be added to enhance availability. The backplane and internal fabric of the 4500E Series chassis are designed to support high-throughput communication between modules, ensuring that slot utilization does not become a bottleneck as port density increases.

Supervisor Engine Integration and Layer 4 Intelligence

Supervisor engines are central to the functionality of the Catalyst 4500E Series. The WS-C4506E-GE-96V category supports advanced supervisor engines that provide Layer 2, Layer 3, and Layer 4 switching and routing intelligence. Layer 4 awareness enables the switch to make forwarding decisions based on transport-layer information, which enhances traffic management, quality of service, and application performance across the network.

This category of switches is often deployed in environments where application visibility and traffic prioritization are critical. By leveraging Layer 4 capabilities, the Catalyst 4500E Series can differentiate between various types of traffic, optimize resource allocation, and support latency-sensitive applications such as voice, video, and real-time collaboration tools. The supervisor engines also manage system-wide features such as security enforcement, routing protocols, and policy-based forwarding.

Redundant Supervisor Support for High Availability

High availability is a defining characteristic of the Catalyst 4500E Series modular switch category. The six-slot chassis supports redundant supervisor engine configurations, allowing one supervisor to operate in active mode while the other remains in standby. In the event of a failure, the standby supervisor can take over control functions with minimal disruption, preserving network uptime and maintaining session continuity.

This redundancy capability is essential in enterprise environments where network downtime can result in significant operational and financial impact. The category is therefore well suited for mission-critical deployments such as campus cores, distribution layers, and aggregation points that serve large numbers of users or critical business applications.

Gigabit Ethernet Port Density and Connectivity Focus

The WS-C4506E-GE-96V category emphasizes Gigabit Ethernet connectivity, providing a high-density access platform for enterprise users, servers, and connected devices. Gigabit Ethernet remains a foundational technology for enterprise networks due to its balance of performance, cost efficiency, and broad device compatibility. This category supports multiple Gigabit Ethernet line card options, enabling organizations to tailor port counts to specific deployment requirements.

High port density within a single chassis simplifies network design by reducing the number of physical switches required. This consolidation can lead to lower operational complexity, reduced cabling overhead, and improved manageability. In campus environments, the ability to aggregate large numbers of Gigabit Ethernet connections into a modular chassis supports streamlined access layer architectures and centralized policy enforcement.

Support for Converged Network Deployments

Converged networks that integrate data, voice, and video traffic place unique demands on switching infrastructure. The Catalyst 4500E Series category is designed to meet these demands by combining Gigabit Ethernet performance with advanced quality of service and traffic management features. The WS-C4506E-GE-96V chassis supports the delivery of consistent bandwidth and low latency across diverse application types.

This capability is particularly important in modern enterprise environments where unified communications, IP telephony, and video conferencing are standard. The modular design allows network architects to allocate sufficient capacity and redundancy to support converged traffic without compromising performance or reliability.

Enhanced Power Delivery and PoE-Centric Design

The inclusion of enhanced power capabilities is a distinguishing factor within the WS-C4506E-GE-96V category. The chassis is designed to support high-capacity power supplies that enable extensive Power over Ethernet deployments. PoE support allows the switch to deliver electrical power directly to connected devices such as IP phones, wireless access points, security cameras, and IoT endpoints.

This integrated power delivery reduces the need for separate electrical infrastructure, simplifies device installation, and enhances deployment flexibility. In large enterprise campuses, the ability to power devices centrally from the switch chassis improves manageability and supports rapid scaling of network-connected endpoints.

Redundant Power Supply Architecture

Power redundancy is a critical requirement for enterprise switching infrastructure. The Catalyst 4500E Series chassis category supports multiple hot-swappable power supplies, enabling continuous operation even in the event of a power supply failure. This design ensures that connected devices remain powered and network services remain available during maintenance or component replacement.

Redundant power configurations also support load sharing, which can improve efficiency and extend the lifespan of power components. For PoE-intensive environments, this redundancy provides an additional layer of assurance that critical endpoints will continue to receive power during unexpected events.

Scalability of Power Resources

The modular nature of the WS-C4506E-GE-96V chassis allows organizations to scale power resources alongside network growth. As additional line cards or PoE devices are added, higher-capacity power supplies can be installed to meet increased demand. This scalability aligns with the overall design philosophy of the Catalyst 4500E Series, which emphasizes adaptability and long-term value.

Performance Characteristics and Switching Capacity

Performance is a central consideration in the Catalyst 4500E Series category. The internal architecture of the WS-C4506E-GE-96V chassis is designed to deliver high switching capacity and consistent throughput across all populated slots. The system backplane and switching fabric support simultaneous data flows without introducing congestion, even in high-utilization scenarios.

This level of performance is essential for enterprise environments with dense user populations, data-intensive applications, and real-time communication requirements. By maintaining predictable forwarding behavior under load, the category ensures that network performance remains stable as usage patterns evolve.

Non-Blocking Architecture and Traffic Flow

The Catalyst 4500E Series is engineered to support non-blocking or near non-blocking performance depending on configuration. This means that traffic entering the switch can be forwarded to its destination without unnecessary delays caused by internal bottlenecks. The WS-C4506E-GE-96V category benefits from this design by enabling efficient utilization of Gigabit Ethernet ports across multiple line cards.

Efficient traffic flow is particularly important in distribution and aggregation roles, where large volumes of traffic converge from multiple access switches. The ability to handle peak loads without degradation supports consistent application performance and user experience.

Network Resiliency and Fault Tolerance

Resiliency is a defining attribute of the Catalyst 4500E Series modular switch category. The WS-C4506E-GE-96V chassis is designed to minimize single points of failure through redundant components, hot-swappable modules, and robust system monitoring. These features collectively contribute to high availability and rapid recovery from hardware faults.

In enterprise networks, downtime can disrupt productivity, compromise service delivery, and impact business continuity. The category addresses these concerns by providing mechanisms that allow maintenance and upgrades to be performed with minimal impact on active traffic.

Hot-Swappable Modules and Maintenance Efficiency

Hot-swappable line cards, supervisor engines, and power supplies enable maintenance operations without requiring a complete system shutdown. This capability allows organizations to replace or upgrade components during business hours if necessary, reducing the need for extended maintenance windows.

The ability to perform live maintenance aligns with the operational requirements of large enterprises and service-oriented environments. It also contributes to lower total cost of ownership by reducing downtime-related costs and improving overall network reliability.

Security and Policy Enforcement Capabilities

Security is an integral aspect of the Catalyst 4500E Series category. The WS-C4506E-GE-96V chassis supports advanced security features that help protect the network from unauthorized access, threats, and policy violations. These capabilities are implemented at the hardware and software levels to ensure efficient enforcement without compromising performance.

By integrating security functions directly into the switching platform, the category enables centralized control and consistent policy application across the network. This approach simplifies security management and enhances visibility into network activity.

Integration with Enterprise Security Frameworks

The Catalyst 4500E Series is designed to integrate seamlessly with broader enterprise security architectures. This includes compatibility with authentication, authorization, and accounting mechanisms, as well as support for network segmentation and access control policies. The WS-C4506E-GE-96V category thus serves as a foundational element in secure campus and enterprise network designs.

Layer 4 awareness further enhances security by enabling more granular traffic inspection and control. By understanding application-level characteristics, the switch can enforce policies that align with organizational requirements and regulatory standards.

Deployment Scenarios and Use Case Alignment

The Cisco WS-C4506E-GE-96V Catalyst L4 6-Slot Switch Chassis category is suitable for a wide range of deployment scenarios. Common use cases include campus distribution layers, large access layer aggregation points, and enterprise core environments where modularity and scalability are essential. The balance of port density, performance, and resiliency makes the category adaptable to diverse network topologies.

Educational institutions, healthcare organizations, corporate campuses, and industrial facilities often leverage this category to support large numbers of connected users and devices. The modular design allows each deployment to be tailored to specific requirements while maintaining a consistent operational framework.

Long-Term Investment Protection and Lifecycle Value

One of the key advantages of the Catalyst 4500E Series category is its focus on long-term investment protection. The WS-C4506E-GE-96V chassis can accommodate evolving technologies through modular upgrades, reducing the need for complete system replacement. This approach extends the useful life of the infrastructure and aligns with enterprise budgeting and planning cycles.

By supporting multiple generations of supervisor engines and line cards, the category allows organizations to adopt new features and performance enhancements incrementally. This flexibility ensures that the switching infrastructure remains relevant as network demands change over time.

Operational Consistency Across Enterprise Networks

Consistency in configuration, management, and operational behavior is critical in large networks. The Catalyst 4500E Series category provides a unified platform that supports standardized policies and management practices across multiple deployment locations. The WS-C4506E-GE-96V chassis contributes to this consistency by offering predictable performance and feature sets.

This consistency simplifies training, troubleshooting, and network expansion. It also enhances overall network stability by reducing variability and complexity within the infrastructure.