Cisco Catalyst 6800-48P-SFP-XL: Next-Generation High-Density PoE++ Line Card

Jun 20 , 2025 2

Cisco Catalyst 6800-48P-SFP-XL: Next-Generation High-Density PoE++ Line Card

Product Overview

The Cisco Catalyst 6800-48P-SFP-XL is an extended-life, high-performance Power over Ethernet (PoE++) line card designed for the Catalyst 6800-XL Series modular switches. It delivers 48x multigigabit (2.5G/5G/10G) PoE++ ports with 8x 25G/10G SFP28 uplinks, optimized for next-generation Wi-Fi 6E/7, IoT, and smart building deployments. Built for scalability and automation, it supports Cisco DNA Center and AI-driven network management.

Key Specifications

✔ Port Configuration:

• 48x 2.5G/5G/10G BASE-T PoE++ ports (IEEE 802.3bt, up to 90W per port)

• 8x 10G/25G SFP28 uplinks (flexible high-speed aggregation)
  ✔ PoE Budget: 1.5kW total power (supports high-power devices like PTZ cameras, digital signage, and Wi-Fi 7 APs)
  ✔ Forwarding Capacity: 800 Gbps non-blocking throughput
  ✔ Power Efficiency: Cisco EnergyWise optimization & dynamic power scaling
  ✔ Compatibility: Catalyst 6807-XL & 6807R-XL chassis

Advanced Features

Cisco IOS XE Software – Full SD-Access, automation, and API programmability
AI-Powered PoE Management – Predictive power allocation & real-time monitoring
Enhanced Security:

• MACsec (256-bit AES-GCM) encryption

• TrustSec & Software-Defined Segmentation
  High Availability:

• Hitless ISSU (In-Service Software Upgrade)

• Redundant power & cooling
  Cloud Telemetry: Streaming telemetry to Cisco DNA Center & ThousandEyes

Deployment Use Cases

• Next-Gen Wi-Fi 7 & IoT Networks – Powers Cisco Catalyst 9200/9300 APs & IoT sensors

• Smart Buildings & Digital Workspaces – Supports AV-over-IP, digital signage, and PoE lighting

• Unified Communications – High-density IP phones & video conferencing systems

• 5G Backhaul & Edge Networking – 25G uplinks for high-bandwidth aggregation

Next-Generation Evolution: Cisco Catalyst 6800-48P-SFP2-XL (Projected 2027)

Key Upgrades & Innovations

Higher Power & Bandwidth:

• 48x 5G/10G MultiGig PoE++ ports (Supports IEEE 802.3bt Type 4, up to 100W per port)

• 12x 25G/50G SFP56 uplinks (For 400G-ready networks)

• Total PoE Budget: 2.4kW (For AI-driven endpoints & high-power devices)

AI & Automation Enhancements:

• Self-Optimizing PoE++ – AI predicts power needs and adjusts dynamically

• Automatic Fault Remediation – Self-healing for PoE & network issues

Next-Gen Security:

• Quantum-Safe Cryptography (QSC) Ready – Protects against future threats

• Zero Trust Network Access (ZTNA) Integration

Sustainability & Efficiency:

• 50% Lower Power Consumption (Silicon-optimized for green networking)

• Carbon Footprint Monitoring (Built-in analytics for sustainability reporting)

Why Upgrade to 48P-SFP2-XL?

✔ Future-proof for Wi-Fi 7, AI endpoints, and 400G networks
✔ Higher power efficiency & sustainability compliance
✔ AI-driven automation reduces manual operations
✔ Military-grade security with quantum-resistant encryption

Conclusion

The Catalyst 6800-48P-SFP-XL is a cutting-edge, high-density PoE++ line card for next-gen enterprise networks, while the 48P-SFP2-XL pushes boundaries with AI automation, 50G uplinks, and quantum-safe security for future-ready infrastructure.