Comparing the Architectures

Table 3-7 provides a brief comparison of the major features of each of the architectures presented in this chapter.

Table 3-7. Comparison of the Catalyst Architectures

Catalyst Platform

Form Factor

Switch Fabric

Fabric Bandwidth

5000

Modular

Shared bus

1.2 Gbps

5500

Modular

Crossbar

3.6 Gbps

6000

Modular

Shared bus

32 Gbps

6500 with SFM

Modular

Crossbar

256 Gbps

6500 with Supervisor 720

Modular

Crossbar

360 Gbps (720 full duplex)

4500

Modular

Centralized

64 Gbps

3750

Fixed-Stackable

Dual Ring

32 Gbps