Cisco WS-X4516
Catalyst 4500 Supervisor V (2 GE),Console(RJ-45)
Product Highlights
Maintaining reliable, high-performance switching at the enterprise access and distribution layers demands a supervisor engine that can keep pace with converged data, voice, and video traffic — without compromise.
The Cisco WS-X4516 Catalyst 4500 Supervisor Engine V delivers nonblocking Layer 2/3/4 switching with up to 96 Gbps of centralized switching capacity and a 72-mpps forwarding rate, all handled in hardware via Cisco Express Forwarding (CEF). With two integrated Gigabit Ethernet uplink ports and an RJ-45 console interface, the Supervisor Engine V provides the data path and control plane for all network interfaces in the Catalyst 4500 chassis.
Designed for enterprise wiring closets, branch-office backbones, and Layer 3 distribution points, the WS-X4516 supports up to 64,000 unicast and multicast forwarding entries (expandable to 256,000), up to 32,000 MAC addresses, and 192,000 TCAM entries for wire-speed provisioning of QoS and security policies. It is backward compatible with all Catalyst 4500 Series line cards (except WS-X4232-L3 and WS-X4019) and supports 1+1 supervisor redundancy in the Catalyst 4507R and 4510R chassis.
Note: This product is part of the Cisco Catalyst 4500 non-E-Series platform, which has reached End-of-Life (EOL) status. It remains an excellent option for maintaining and extending existing Catalyst 4500 deployments at a fraction of the cost of new equipment.
Features & Benefits
Nonblocking Layer 2-4 Switching
The WS-X4516 delivers up to 96 Gbps of centralized switching capacity with a 72-mpps hardware forwarding rate across Layer 2, 3, and 4. Switching performance remains consistent regardless of the number of route entries or services enabled, ensuring predictable behavior under heavy load.
Hardware-Based Cisco Express Forwarding
The Supervisor Engine V uses a hardware-based CEF routing architecture for increased scalability and performance. With up to 64,000 unicast and multicast FIB entries (expandable to 256,000 IPv4 entries), it handles complex routing topologies without software-based bottlenecks.
High-Availability & Redundancy
When deployed in the Catalyst 4507R or 4510R chassis, the WS-X4516 supports 1+1 supervisor engine redundancy with a primary engine in slot 1 and a standby in slot 2. The module is also hot-swappable, enabling maintenance with minimal disruption to the network.
Intelligent Network Services at Scale
With 192,000 TCAM entries, the Supervisor Engine V enables wire-speed provisioning of granular QoS policies, access control lists (ACLs), and security features concurrently — without impacting forwarding performance. This ensures that enabling services does not come at the cost of throughput.
Broad Chassis & Line Card Compatibility
The WS-X4516 is supported in the Catalyst 4006, 4503, 4506, 4507R, and 4510R chassis and is backward compatible with all Catalyst 4500 Series switching modules (except WS-X4232-L3 and WS-X4019). This broad compatibility protects existing infrastructure investments.
Deployment Scenarios
Enterprise Access & Wiring Closet
Deploy the WS-X4516 in a Catalyst 4506 or 4503 chassis to provide high-performance Layer 2-4 switching at the enterprise access layer. Its nonblocking architecture and QoS capabilities make it ideal for converged voice, video, and data environments in campus wiring closets.
Branch Office Backbone
Use the Supervisor Engine V in a Catalyst 4500 chassis to serve as the backbone switch for branch offices. The 2 GE uplinks provide reliable connectivity to the WAN edge or core, while Layer 3 routing capabilities reduce the need for a separate router.
Layer 3 Distribution Point
Position the WS-X4516 in a Catalyst 4507R or 4510R chassis at the distribution layer, leveraging supervisor redundancy for high availability. The large FIB and TCAM capacity support complex routing and policy enforcement between access and core layers.
Spare / Replacement for Existing Catalyst 4500 Deployments
As an EOL product, the WS-X4516 is a cost-effective spare for organizations maintaining existing Catalyst 4500 non-E-Series infrastructure. Keep a tested replacement on hand to minimize downtime in the event of a supervisor failure.
General
Performance
Interfaces
Chassis Compatibility
Performance by Chassis
Software
Features
Compatibility Notes
Supported Chassis
- Cisco Catalyst 4006
- Cisco Catalyst 4503 (WS-C4503)
- Cisco Catalyst 4506 (WS-C4506)
- Cisco Catalyst 4507R (WS-C4507R)
- Cisco Catalyst 4510R (WS-C4510R)
Slot Requirements
- Catalyst 4006, 4503, 4506: Install in Slot 1 only.
- Catalyst 4507R, 4510R: Primary in Slot 1; optional redundant supervisor in Slot 2.
Line Card Compatibility
- Compatible with all Catalyst 4500 Series switching modules except WS-X4232-L3 and WS-X4019.
- When used in the Catalyst 4510R, Slot 10 (FlexSlot) supports only a subset of line cards: WS-X4302-GB and WS-X4604-GWY.
Software
- Runs Cisco IOS Software. Consult Cisco's compatibility matrix for minimum IOS version requirements for your specific chassis and line card combination.
Downloads & Resources
Frequently Asked Questions
| Part Number | Product | Key Difference |
|---|---|---|
| WS-X4516-10GE | Supervisor Engine V-10GE | Adds 2x 10GE (X2) and 4x 1GE (SFP) uplinks with up to 136 Gbps switching capacity — the 10GE upgrade path from the WS-X4516. |
| WS-X4516/2 | Redundant Supervisor Engine V | Same Supervisor Engine V but ordered specifically as the redundant (standby) unit for Catalyst 4507R or 4510R deployments. |
| WS-X45-SUP6-E | Supervisor Engine 6-E | Next-generation E-Series supervisor with higher performance and support for Catalyst 4500-E chassis — recommended upgrade from the WS-X4516. |
| WS-X4013+10GE | Supervisor Engine II-Plus 10GE | Previous-generation supervisor with 10GE uplinks but Layer 2+ only — the WS-X4516 offers full Layer 3 routing and higher throughput. |
