Cisco WS-X6748-GE-TX-3C
Cat6500 48-port 10/100/1000 GE Mod: fabric enabled, RJ-45
Product Highlights
What's Included
(1) MEM-XCEF720-512M
As enterprise networks scale, maintaining high-density Gigabit Ethernet connectivity without sacrificing forwarding performance becomes a critical challenge. The Cisco WS-X6748-GE-TX-3C addresses this head-on — delivering 48 ports of 10/100/1000 Mbps copper Ethernet in a single fabric-enabled line card for the Cisco Catalyst 6500 Series chassis.
Unlike the base WS-X6748-GE-TX module that ships with a centralized forwarding card, the -3C variant comes pre-equipped with the WS-F6700-DFC3C Distributed Forwarding Card and MEM-XCEF720-512M (512 MB memory). The DFC3C enables distributed Cisco Express Forwarding (dCEF), offloading Layer 2/3 forwarding decisions from the Supervisor Engine 720 to the line card itself. This architecture dramatically scales aggregate system throughput and reduces supervisor CPU utilization — a critical advantage in large chassis deployments with multiple line cards.
The module connects to the Supervisor Engine 720 switch fabric via dual fabric channels, each operating at 20 Gbps, for a combined 40 Gbps fabric interconnect across all 48 ports. With support for jumbo frames up to 9,216 bytes, advanced QoS queuing (1p3q8t Tx / 2q8t Rx with DFC), VLANs, and hardware-based ACLs, the WS-X6748-GE-TX-3C is purpose-built for demanding enterprise campus, data center, and service provider distribution-layer deployments. Note: this product is End-of-Life (EOL) and is available as a refurbished or secondary-market item for sustaining existing Catalyst 6500 infrastructure.
Features & Benefits
Distributed Forwarding with DFC3C
The included WS-F6700-DFC3C Distributed Forwarding Card enables hardware-based distributed CEF (dCEF720) directly on the line card. By offloading forwarding decisions from the Supervisor Engine 720, the DFC3C scales aggregate system performance and reduces central CPU load — essential in multi-line-card chassis deployments.
High-Density Gigabit Ethernet
With 48 auto-negotiating 10/100/1000 Mbps RJ-45 ports in a single slot, this module maximizes port density in the Catalyst 6500 chassis. It supports Category 5/5e/6 UTP cabling up to 100 meters, making it ideal for connecting servers, desktops, IP phones, and access-layer switches.
Fabric-Enabled Performance
The module connects to the Supervisor Engine 720 switch fabric through dual fabric channels (Ports 1–24 and Ports 25–48), each running at 20 Gbps. This fabric-enabled design ensures consistent, high-throughput forwarding across all 48 ports under heavy traffic loads.
Advanced QoS and Security
Hardware-based QoS queuing (1p3q8t Tx / 2q8t Rx with DFC) enables granular traffic prioritization for voice, video, and mission-critical data. Combined with hardware ACLs, VLAN support, and jumbo frame capability (up to 9,216 bytes), the module delivers enterprise-grade traffic management.
Hot-Swappable & Field-Serviceable
The line card is hot-swappable within the Catalyst 6500 chassis, allowing maintenance and upgrades without a full system outage. The DFC daughter card is also field-replaceable, providing a future upgrade path without replacing the entire line card.
Deployment Scenarios
Enterprise Campus Distribution Layer
Deploy the WS-X6748-GE-TX-3C in a Catalyst 6500 chassis at the distribution layer to aggregate uplinks from access-layer switches. The 48 GE ports and distributed forwarding provide the density and performance needed to serve multiple wiring closets without bottlenecks.
Data Center Server Farm Connectivity
Connect up to 48 rack-mounted servers per line card using standard RJ-45 copper cabling. The DFC3C's hardware-based forwarding and QoS ensure low-latency, high-throughput switching for east-west and north-south data center traffic.
Sustaining Legacy Catalyst 6500 Infrastructure
For organizations maintaining existing Catalyst 6500 deployments, the WS-X6748-GE-TX-3C provides a cost-effective way to replace failed line cards or expand port capacity without a full platform migration. The included DFC3C and 512 MB memory mean no additional daughter card purchases are required.
General
Interfaces
Performance
Daughter Card
Physical
Environmental
Compatibility
Compatibility Notes
Chassis Compatibility
- Compatible with Cisco Catalyst 6500 Series and Cisco Catalyst 6500-E Series chassis
- Not supported in the Catalyst 6503 chassis
- In the Catalyst 6513 chassis, the module must be installed in slots 9–13 only (does not power up in slots 1–8)
- Occupies one standard line card slot in all other supported chassis
Supervisor Engine Requirements
- The DFC3C daughter card is supported by Supervisor Engine 720 only
- Requires Cisco IOS Release 12.2(33)SXH or later for DFC3C support
Included Components
- (1) WS-F6700-DFC3C — Distributed Forwarding Card 3C (pre-installed)
- (1) MEM-XCEF720-512M — 512 MB DDR memory for xCEF720
Downloads & Resources
Frequently Asked Questions
| Part Number | Product | Key Difference |
|---|---|---|
| WS-X6748-GE-TX | Cat6500 48-Port GE Module (Base / CFC) | Base module ships with CFC (centralized forwarding) — no DFC included; lower cost but relies on supervisor for all forwarding decisions. |
| WS-X6748-GE-TX-3CXL | Cat6500 48-Port GE Module w/ DFC3CXL | Ships with the higher-tier DFC3CXL daughter card offering expanded route table capacity and enhanced MPLS/multicast support. |
| WS-X6748-SFP | Cat6500 48-Port GE SFP Module | SFP-based fiber variant of the 48-port GE module — choose this when fiber connectivity is required instead of copper RJ-45. |
| C6800-48P-TX | Cat6800 48-Port 1G Copper Module w/ DFC4 | Cisco-recommended replacement; ships with DFC4 for Supervisor Engine 2T/6T support and next-generation Catalyst 6800 chassis compatibility. |
