Cisco WS-X6716-10G-3C
Catalyst 6500 16 port 10 Gigabit Ethernet w/ DFC3C(req X2)
Product Highlights
What's Included
(1) MEM-XCEF720-1GB
As enterprise networks scale and bandwidth demands intensify at the aggregation and data center access layers, IT teams need line cards that deliver high-density 10 Gigabit Ethernet without compromising forwarding performance. The Cisco WS-X6716-10G-3C is a 16-port 10 Gigabit Ethernet line card designed for the Cisco Catalyst 6500 Series chassis, providing massive 10GbE density in a single slot.
Equipped with an integrated Distributed Forwarding Card 3C (WS-F6700-DFC3C), this module offloads packet processing from the supervisor engine, supporting up to 256,000 IPv4 routes and 128,000 IPv6 routes with distributed forwarding. Each of the 16 ports accepts X2 fiber optic transceivers (sold separately), giving network architects the flexibility to choose SR, LR, ER, LRM, LX4, or CX4 optics based on distance and media requirements.
The WS-X6716-10G-3C is primarily designed for use with the Supervisor Engine 720 and supports Cisco's Virtual Switching System (VSS) 1440, enabling two physical Catalyst 6500 chassis to operate as a single logical switch. This module is ideally suited for LAN campus aggregation and data center access deployments where port density and high fan-out ratios are critical. Please note: this product has reached End-of-Life status and is available as a pre-owned or refurbished unit.
Features & Benefits
Distributed Forwarding with DFC3C
The integrated WS-F6700-DFC3C enables distributed forwarding directly on the line card, offloading the supervisor engine and reducing latency. It supports up to 256,000 IPv4 routes, 128,000 IPv6 routes, and 128,000 NetFlow entries, delivering wire-speed Layer 2 and Layer 3 switching at scale.
High-Density 10 Gigabit Ethernet
With 16 ports of 10 Gigabit Ethernet in a single slot, this module enables up to 130 ports of 10GbE in a single Catalyst 6500 chassis — or 260 ports in a VSS pair. This density is ideal for aggregation-layer deployments where maximizing port count per rack unit is essential.
Flexible X2 Optics Support
Each port accepts Cisco X2 transceiver modules, supporting 10GBASE-SR, -LR, -ER, -LRM, -LX4, and -CX4 standards. This allows network engineers to tailor each port's reach and media type to the specific requirements of their fiber infrastructure — from short-range data center links to extended campus runs.
Virtual Switching System (VSS) Support
The WS-X6716-10G-3C is designed for use with the Supervisor Engine 720 with 3C daughter card to support Cisco's VSS 1440 technology. VSS combines two physical Catalyst 6500 chassis into a single logical switch, simplifying management, eliminating Spanning Tree loops, and improving network resiliency.
Broad Chassis Compatibility
This module is supported in all Cisco Catalyst 6500 E-Series chassis (6503-E, 6504-E, 6506-E, 6509-E, 6509-V-E, C6509-NEB-A) and non-E-Series chassis with fan tray 2 (6506, 6509, 6513). In the 6513 chassis, it can occupy slots 9 through 13. Note: it is not supported in the Catalyst 6503 non-E Series chassis or Cisco 7600 Series chassis.
Deployment Scenarios
LAN Campus Aggregation
Deploy the WS-X6716-10G-3C at the campus aggregation layer to consolidate uplinks from multiple access-layer switches. The 16-port 10GbE density provides ample fan-out capacity, while DFC3C distributed forwarding ensures low-latency inter-VLAN routing at wire speed.
Data Center Access Layer
In data center environments, this module provides high-density 10GbE server connectivity within the Catalyst 6500 chassis. X2 optic flexibility allows short-reach SR connections to top-of-rack switches or direct server attachments, maximizing port utilization per slot.
VSS-Based High-Availability Core
Pair two Catalyst 6500 chassis in a Virtual Switching System (VSS) configuration with WS-X6716-10G-3C modules to create a resilient, high-bandwidth core. VSS eliminates Spanning Tree dependencies and provides sub-second failover, while the combined chassis can deliver up to 260 ports of 10GbE.
General
Ports & Interfaces
Forwarding Engine
Standards & Protocols
Physical
Power
Environmental
Compliance & Certifications
Compatibility Notes
Chassis Compatibility
- Supported E-Series: Catalyst 6503-E, 6504-E, 6506-E, 6509-E, 6509-V-E, C6509-NEB-A (with dual fan tray, NEBS compliant up to 55°C)
- Supported Non-E-Series: Catalyst 6506, 6509, 6513, C6509-NEB-A with single fan tray and fan tray 2 (non-NEBS, up to 40°C); requires 2500W or higher power supplies
- Not Supported: Catalyst 6503 non-E Series chassis; Cisco 7600 Series chassis
- Slot Restrictions: Any slot in 3/4/6/9-slot chassis; slots 9–13 only in the Catalyst 6513
Supervisor Engine
- Cisco Catalyst 6500 Series Virtual Switching Supervisor Engine 720 with 10GE uplinks, or Supervisor Engine 720 with any PFC (chassis operates in lowest common denominator mode when mixing DFCs)
X2 Optics (Required, Sold Separately)
- Supported at FCS: X2-10GB-SR, X2-10GB-LR, X2-10GB-ER, X2-10GB-LRM, X2-10GB-LX4, X2-10GB-CX4
- EMI compliance requires version -02 or later for SR, LR, LX4, and CX4; version -03 or later for ER; no restriction on LRM
Included Memory
- MEM-XCEF720-1GB (1 GB DDR for xCEF720 forwarding engine)
Downloads & Resources
Frequently Asked Questions
| Part Number | Product | Key Difference |
|---|---|---|
| WS-X6716-10G-3CXL | Catalyst 6500 16-Port 10GbE Module with DFC3CXL | Upgraded DFC3CXL supports 1 million IPv4 routes vs. 256,000 on the DFC3C — ideal for larger routing tables |
| WS-X6708-10G-3C | Catalyst 6500 8-Port 10GbE Module with DFC3C | 8-port variant with DFC3C at lower power (444.36W) — suitable when fewer 10GbE ports are needed |
| WS-X6716-10T-3C | Catalyst 6500 16-Port 10GBASE-T Copper Module with DFC3C | Copper (RJ45) variant using 10GBASE-T instead of X2 fiber — deploy over Cat6/6A/7 cabling |
| WS-X6704-10GE | Catalyst 6500 4-Port 10GbE Module (XENPAK) | 4-port 10GbE using XENPAK optics — lower density option with optional DFC upgrades |
