The Cisco Catalyst 9600 Series line card is an expansion module designed for network engineers who need to extend the high-density port capacity of Cisco Catalyst 9600 Series Switches. It supports both 40 Gigabit Ethernet and 100 Gigabit Ethernet connectivity over Optical Fiber media, making it suited to environments where high-throughput uplinks are a priority.
Key Features:
- Support for 40 Gigabit Ethernet and 100 Gigabit Ethernet technologies means the line card can serve high-bandwidth uplink and interconnect roles within the same chassis.
- Network technology standards 40GBase-X and 100GBase-X are both supported, giving network planners flexibility when selecting optics and fiber infrastructure.
- Twenty-four QSFP28 expansion slots provide a high port density, allowing a single line card to carry a substantial number of high-speed interfaces.
- Optical Fiber media support enables long-reach connectivity between switches, servers, and other network components over fiber plant already in place.
- Compatibility is confirmed for Cisco Catalyst 9600 Series Switches, ensuring the module integrates directly into that chassis ecosystem.
- Environmental compliance with Restriction of Hazardous Substances (RoHS) supports responsible procurement and disposal requirements.
- A lifetime limited warranty backs the module, reflecting the long-term deployment horizon typical of core switching infrastructure.
High-Density Port Capacity via QSFP28 Slots
The line card provides 24 expansion slots, each of the QSFP28 form factor. QSFP28 is a compact, high-density transceiver format widely used for 40 Gigabit Ethernet and 100 Gigabit Ethernet deployments, meaning the same physical slot type can accommodate optics for either speed tier depending on how the network is configured.
Ethernet Speed Tiers Supported
Two Ethernet speed tiers are available through this line card: 40 Gigabit Ethernet operating under the 40GBase-X standard, and 100 Gigabit Ethernet operating under the 100GBase-X standard. This dual-tier capability allows the same card to serve links of differing bandwidth demands within one chassis.
Optical Fiber Media Compatibility
All ports on this line card operate over Optical Fiber media. Fiber connectivity supports the longer physical reach and higher signal integrity that high-speed Ethernet standards at these speeds require, making the card appropriate for inter-switch and aggregation links where copper is not viable.
Physical Characteristics
The module has an approximate weight of 7.67 lb, a practical figure for planning chassis weight budgets and rack load calculations during installation.
Environmental Compliance
The line card meets Restriction of Hazardous Substances (RoHS) requirements. This compliance designation is relevant for organizations whose procurement policies mandate environmentally responsible hardware.
Warranty Coverage
Cisco backs this expansion module with a lifetime limited warranty, aligning the support commitment with the long service life expected of chassis-based core switching components.
Markets and Applications
Data Networking, Optical Network
