Cisco WS-X6348-RJ-45
Catalyst 6500 48-port 10/100, Upgradable to Voice, RJ-4
Product Highlights
Managing high-density Ethernet access across a large campus or enterprise network demands line cards that deliver port density, reliability, and a clear upgrade path — without forcing a chassis replacement.
The Cisco WS-X6348-RJ-45 is a 48-port 10/100 Ethernet switching module designed for the Cisco Catalyst 6500 and 6000 series chassis. Each port uses a standard RJ-45 connector and supports both 10Base-T and 100Base-TX speeds in full- or half-duplex mode, making it an ideal access-layer module for connecting desktops, printers, IP phones, and other end-user devices.
What sets this module apart is its upgrade path to inline power. By adding the optional WS-F6K-VPWR voice daughter card, the WS-X6348-RJ-45 can deliver power to Cisco IP Phones and wireless access points — enabling campus voice convergence without rewiring. The module also provides robust traffic management with multiple transmit and receive queues per port, support for up to 1,000 VLANs, and up to 32,000 active MAC addresses per switching port.
As an End-of-Life product, the WS-X6348-RJ-45 remains a cost-effective choice for maintaining and expanding existing Catalyst 6500/6000 deployments where budget-conscious IT teams need proven, reliable hardware without the cost of a full platform migration.
Features & Benefits
High-Density 48-Port Access
Pack 48 ports of 10/100 Ethernet into a single slot of your Catalyst 6500 or 6000 chassis. With support for up to eight modules per platform, you can scale to hundreds of access ports in one switch — reducing rack space and simplifying management.
Upgradable to Inline Power (Voice Ready)
The WS-X6348-RJ-45 can be field-upgraded with the WS-F6K-VPWR voice power daughter card to deliver inline power to connected devices such as Cisco IP Phones and wireless access points. This pay-as-you-grow approach protects your initial investment while providing a clear path to campus voice convergence.
Advanced QoS & Traffic Management
The module features 3 transmit queues and 2 receive queues per port, enabling granular traffic prioritization. Combined with support for up to 1,000 VLANs and 802.1d spanning tree on logical VLANs, it delivers the traffic management capabilities needed for mixed data and voice environments.
Enterprise-Scale MAC Table
With support for up to 32,000 active MAC addresses per switching port, this module handles large, complex Layer 2 environments without table overflow — critical for campus networks with thousands of endpoints.
Standards-Based Interoperability
Full compliance with IEEE 802.3 and IEEE 802.3u ensures broad interoperability with third-party switches, NICs, and cabling infrastructure. Standard Category 5 UTP cabling is all that's required.
Deployment Scenarios
Campus Access Layer
Deploy the WS-X6348-RJ-45 in wiring closets to provide high-density 10/100 Ethernet connectivity for desktops, printers, and VoIP phones across enterprise campus buildings. The inline power upgrade path makes it ideal for phased IP telephony rollouts.
Maintaining Legacy Catalyst 6500/6000 Infrastructure
For organizations running existing Catalyst 6500 or 6000 chassis that are not yet ready for a full platform migration, the WS-X6348-RJ-45 provides a cost-effective way to replace failed modules or add port capacity without upgrading the entire switch.
Lab and Test Environments
The high port density and low cost of this EOL module make it an excellent choice for network labs, training environments, and QA test beds where large numbers of Ethernet ports are needed without premium pricing.
General
Interfaces & Performance
Features
Physical
Compatibility
Compatibility Notes
Chassis Compatibility:
- Cisco Catalyst 6500 Series chassis (all variants)
- Cisco Catalyst 6000 Series chassis
Optional Daughter Card for Inline Power:
- WS-F6K-VPWR — Voice Power Feature Card for WS-X6348 and WS-X6148 10/100 modules
Cabling:
- Category 5 UTP with RJ-45 connectors
Note: This product is End-of-Life (EOL). Verify supervisor engine and software compatibility for your specific chassis configuration before ordering.
Downloads & Resources
Frequently Asked Questions
| Part Number | Product | Key Difference |
|---|---|---|
| WS-X6348-RJ45V | Catalyst 6500 48-Port 10/100 Inline Power Module | Ships with inline power (PoE) pre-installed; the WS-X6348-RJ-45 requires a separate WS-F6K-VPWR daughter card upgrade for PoE. |
| WS-X6148-RJ-45 | Catalyst 6500 CEF256 48-Port 10/100 Module | Newer-generation CEF256 module with support for distributed forwarding daughter cards (DFC); replaces the classic WS-X6348 series. |
| WS-X6148A-RJ-45 | Catalyst 6500 CEF256 48-Port 10/100 Module with TDR | Updated CEF256 module adding Time Domain Reflectometry (TDR) cable diagnostics for easier troubleshooting. |
| WS-X6348-RJ-21 | Catalyst 6000 48-Port 10/100 RJ-21 Module | Same port count and speed but uses RJ-21 (Telco) connectors instead of individual RJ-45 ports — suited for high-density patch panel environments. |
