​A Real-World Look at the Cisco Catalyst C6800-48P-TX Module

Jun 07 , 2025 13

A Real-World Look at the Cisco Catalyst C6800-48P-TX Module

For network engineers managing demanding enterprise cores or large distribution layers, the Cisco Catalyst 6500-E series chassis remains a familiar and robust platform. Its power lies in its flexibility – you can tailor it with various Supervisor Engines and Line Cards to meet specific needs. One workhorse option for high-density Gigabit Ethernet access is the C6800-48P-TX module. But what does using this module really entail? Let's move past the basic datasheet and explore its performance, features, and fit in today's network landscape, focusing on practical aspects.

1. The Core Workhorse: C6800-48P-TX

This module provides 48 x 10/100/1000BASE-T (RJ-45) ports with full Power over Ethernet (PoE+) capability. Its primary role is connecting a large number of access devices – IP phones, wireless access points, security cameras, and workstations – directly into the powerful 6500-E chassis. Think of it as densely packing the connectivity of several access switches into a single, centrally managed slot.

2. Performance: Processing Muscle & Capacity

• Processing Power: Unlike standalone switches with dedicated CPUs, the C6800-48P-TX relies heavily on the Supervisor Engine installed in the chassis (like the popular Sup-2T or Sup-6T). The module itself handles the physical layer and basic switching tasks locally, but complex routing, security policies, and management traffic are handled by the central Supervisor. So, its effective performance (packets per second, throughput) is intrinsically linked to the chosen Sup engine and overall chassis backplane capacity (which is substantial, rated at 40Gbps/slot minimum with Sup2T onwards).

• Running Memory: The module doesn't have its own separate "running memory" like a standalone switch's RAM. Its operation depends on the Supervisor's memory and the chassis architecture.

• Storage Capacity: Again, no independent storage. Configuration and OS reside on the Supervisor's flash memory.

3. Functionality & Features: Built for Access Density

• Core Function: Provide high-density 1GBase-T access with PoE+ power (up to 30W per port, Class 4).

• PoE Powerhouse: This is a key strength. Delivering PoE+ to 48 devices simultaneously requires significant power budgeting. Ensure your chassis power supplies are adequately sized (e.g., 2800W or 4200W AC/DC supplies were common).

• Basic Switching: Layer 2 switching features like VLANs, Spanning Tree Protocols (PVST+, RSTP), link aggregation (EtherChannel) are standard and handled efficiently.

• Reliance on Supervisor: Advanced features like Layer 3 routing (OSPF, EIGRP, BGP), advanced QoS, security ACLs, NetFlow, and management (SNMP, CLI, etc.) are all managed by the central Supervisor Engine. The line card executes these policies locally.

4. Design & Physical Footprint

• Form Factor: Standard Catalyst 6500/6800 series line card. Occupies a single slot in the chassis.

• Port Density: Extremely high density for copper ports in a single slot – 48 ports. This consolidates wiring significantly.

• Cooling & Power: Generates considerable heat, especially under full PoE load. Relies on the chassis's robust fan trays for cooling. Requires careful power supply planning within the chassis.

• Physical Robustness: Built to the high-quality standards of Cisco's enterprise chassis hardware. Feels solid and durable.

5. The User Experience: Proximity Matters

• Administration: Managed entirely through the chassis Supervisor. Configuration feels like configuring a virtual switch module rather than a standalone device. For engineers familiar with the 6500-E CLI, it's consistent. For those only used to standalone switches, the centralised management model takes adjustment.

• Visibility: Status per port (link, PoE) is visible through the chassis CLI/GUI. Troubleshooting typically starts at the chassis level.

• Deployment: Installation is straightforward – slide it into a compatible slot and secure it. The complexity lies in the overall chassis configuration (Supervisor, power, VLAN trunking to the card).

• Noise: The module itself is silent. The noise comes from the chassis fan trays, which can be significant, especially under load or with older fan modules. Not suitable for quiet office environments; belongs in a wiring closet or data center.

6. Price: Understanding the Ecosystem Cost

• Module Cost: As a long-discontinued module (End-of-Sale: ~2015, End-of-Life: ~2020), pricing is entirely driven by the secondary/refurbished market (like Linknewnet). Prices vary based on condition, warranty, and demand, but are generally significantly lower than original list prices.

• Total Cost of Ownership (TCO): Crucially, the real cost includes:

• The Chassis: You must have a compatible 6500-E series chassis (e.g., 6503-E, 6504-E, 6506-E, 6509-E).

• A compatible Supervisor Engine (Sup720, Sup2T, Sup6T).

• Adequate Power Supplies (potentially multiple, high-wattage).

• Fan Trays. This ecosystem cost makes deploying a 6500-E just for an access module like the C6800-48P-TX economically challenging compared to modern standalone stackable switches unless the chassis is already deployed for other core functions.

7. Power Consumption & Heat (The Real "Battery Drain" Analogy)

• Significant Draw: This module, especially when delivering PoE+ to 48 ports, is a major power consumer within the chassis. Power consumption can easily exceed 500-700 watts under full PoE load.

• Heat Generation: Correspondingly, it generates substantial heat, demanding efficient cooling from the chassis fan trays. This directly impacts the energy costs of the entire chassis and its cooling requirements in the data center/closet.

• Planning is Key: Careful calculation of PoE budget and ensuring the chassis has ample power supply capacity (N+1 redundancy is recommended) is non-negotiable. Oversubscribing power can lead to port shutdowns.

8. Compatibility & Expansion: The Chassis is the Hub

• Device Compatibility: Excellent compatibility with any standard 10/100/1000BASE-T device (PCs, printers, APs, phones, cameras). PoE+ compatibility requires client devices supporting IEEE 802.3at.

• Platform Compatibility:

• Hardware: Requires a Catalyst 6500-E Series chassis with compatible Supervisor Engine (Sup720-3B/3BXL, Sup720-10G-3C/3CXL, VS-S720-10G, VS-S2T-10G, VS-S6T). Check specific Sup/Card compatibility matrices.

• Software: Runs the same Cisco IOS/IOS-XE version as the Supervisor Engine. Compatibility depends on the Sup model and IOS release. Later Sups (Sup6T) support more recent IOS-XE versions.

• Expansion: Expansion is the chassis itself. Adding more ports means adding more line cards (like another C6800-48P-TX or different types) into available slots. The chassis backplane and Supervisor capabilities determine the aggregate capacity.

9. Software Support: Lifecycle Considerations

• End-of-Life Status: This module, along with the entire 6500-E platform, has reached End-of-Sale and End-of-Life.

• Software Availability: Final supported IOS/IOS-XE versions depend on the Supervisor Engine used. Sup2T and Sup6T reached End-of-Support more recently than older Sups. New features and major security updates are no longer developed.

• Implication: While stable and functional for its core purposes within its supported software, it won't receive new features or patches for future vulnerabilities discovered after its End-of-Support date. Operational stability within a known environment is the key benefit now.

10. Conclusion: A Niche Powerhouse in the Modern Era

The Cisco C6800-48P-TX is a testament to the power and density achievable with chassis-based systems. It excels at providing high-density Gigabit copper access with full PoE+ within the Catalyst 6500-E ecosystem.

Ideal Scenario: Deploying one (or more) makes perfect sense if you already have a functioning Catalyst 6500-E chassis performing core/distribution duties and need to consolidate access ports directly into that chassis for simplicity or specific topology reasons. The secondary market provides a cost-effective way to add this density.

Practical Considerations: However, for new deployments focused solely on access layer functionality, modern standalone stackable switches (like Cisco Catalyst 9200/9300/9400 series) often offer a better value proposition. They provide comparable or better per-port performance, modern software features (including cloud management options), easier redundancy (stacking), significantly lower power consumption and noise, and are actively supported. The ecosystem cost and power/heat footprint of deploying a full 6500-E chassis just for access modules like this one is generally prohibitive compared to modern alternatives.

In essence, the C6800-48P-TX remains a capable and robust module, but its value today is intrinsically linked to its role within the broader, existing Catalyst 6500-E platform it serves.

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