Cisco Catalyst 6800-16P10G: High-Density 10G Campus Switching

Jun 16 , 2025 11

Cisco Catalyst 6800-16P10G: High-Density 10G Campus Switching

The Cisco Catalyst 6800-16P10G is a fixed-configuration, 10 Gigabit Ethernet switch designed for campus and enterprise networks requiring high-density 10G connectivity. Below is a technical comparison and strategic overview:

1. Technical Specifications & Performance

• Processor & Memory:

• Dual-core ARM Cortex-A72 with 1.8 GHz clock speed.

• 4 GB DDR4 RAM for advanced feature scalability.

• 16 GB flash storage for firmware and configurations.

• Switching Capacity:

• 384 Gbps forwarding capacity (wire speed for all 16 ports).

• Port Configuration:

• 16x 10GBASE-T RJ45 ports (Auto-MDIX, Energy Efficient Ethernet).

2. Performance vs. Competing Models

3. Core Functional Features

• Networking Protocols:

• VXLAN (Virtual Extensible LAN) with EVPN control plane.

• IPv6 First Hop Security and DHCP Snooping.

• Traffic Optimization:

• iQoS (Intelligent Quality of Service) with automated traffic classification.

• NetFlow v9/sFlow for visibility and analytics.

• Security:

• TrustSec identity-based segmentation.

• Storm Control and ARP Inspection.

4. Design & Aesthetic Engineering

• Form Factor:

• 1RU (1.75-inch) rackmount with front-to-back airflow.

• Compact dimensions: 44.5 mm (H) x 436 mm (W) x 305 mm (D).

• Port Layout:

• 16 front-facing 10GBase-T ports with LED status indicators.

• Thermal Management:

• Redundant, variable-speed fans with dust filters.

5. User Experience Enhancements

• Management Interfaces:

• Cisco Prime Infrastructure integration for zero-touch provisioning.

• RESTCONF/YANG APIs for Ansible/Cisco DNA Center automation.

• Troubleshooting Tools:

• Built-in packet capture (SPAN/TAP) and ERSPAN mirroring.

• Predictive failure analytics via Cisco Tetration.

• Voice Prioritization:

• Auto-QoS for Cisco IP Phones and Unified Communications.

6. Pricing Structure

• List Price:

• 12,000–18,000 USD (depends on region and licensing).

• Bundle Savings:

• Includes Cisco IOS XE Software (lifetime license).

• Optional Advanced Services (e.g., security, SD-WAN integration).

7. Battery-Free Operation

• Power Requirements:

• External DC power (-48V) or AC-to-DC converters.

• No internal batteries; relies on facility UPS systems.

8. Compatibility & Scalability

• Interoperability:

• Works with Cisco Nexus 9000, ISR routers, and Meraki MS switches.

• Supports third-party transceivers (SFP+, QSFP28).

• Expansion:

• Modular design allows stacking with Cisco StackWise-480 technology.

• Future-proofed for 400G upgrades via line card swaps.

9. Software Ecosystem

• Operating System:

• Runs Cisco IOS XE Software (Release 17.03 or later).

• Regular updates for security (e.g., CVE-2023-20190 patch).

• Lifecycle Support:

• End-of-Sale (EOS): Announced for 2028 (check Cisco lifecycle tracker).

• Extended Support: Available via Cisco SMARTnet contracts.

10. Strategic Use Cases

• Campus Backbone: Aggregation layer for high-density classrooms/offices.

• IoT Edge: Supports 10G PoE+ for IP cameras and sensors.

• Hybrid Cloud: Integration with Cisco ACI and AWS Direct Connect.

Cisco Catalyst 6800-16P10G: High-Density 10G Campus Switching

The Cisco Catalyst 6800-16P10G is a fixed-configuration, 10 Gigabit Ethernet switch tailored for campus and enterprise networks. Below is a technical breakdown:

1. Technical Specifications

• Processor: Dual-core ARM Cortex-A72 @ 1.8 GHz.

• Memory: 4 GB DDR4 RAM for feature scalability.

• Storage: 16 GB flash for firmware and configurations.

• Switching Capacity: 384 Gbps wire speed.

• Ports: 16x 10GBASE-T RJ45 (Auto-MDIX, Energy Efficient Ethernet).

2. Feature Differentiators

3. Core Functionalities

• Protocols: VXLAN, IPv6 First Hop Security, DHCP Snooping.

• Traffic Optimization: iQoS, NetFlow v9/sFlow.

• Security: TrustSec, Storm Control, ARP Inspection.

4. Design & Build

• Form Factor: 1RU rackmount with front-to-back airflow.

• Port Layout: 16 front-facing 10GBase-T ports with LED status.

• Thermal: Dust-resistant fans with redundant airflow paths.

5. User Experience

• Management: Cisco Prime Infrastructure and RESTCONF/YANG APIs.

• Troubleshooting: Packet capture (SPAN/TAP) and predictive analytics.

• Voice: Auto-QoS for Cisco IP Phones.

6. Pricing

• List Price: 12,000–18,000 USD.

• Bundle Savings: Includes Cisco IOS XE Software (lifetime license).