C H A P T E R 1

Product Overview

This chapter describes the Cisco ME 6500 series Ethernet switches and contains these sections:

Cisco ME 6524 Ethernet Switch (ME-C6524GS-8S), page 1-1

Cisco ME 6524 Ethernet Switch (ME-C6524GT-8S), page 1-8

Cisco ME 6524 Ethernet Switch (ME-C6524GS-8S)

 

The ME 6524 Ethernet switch (ME-C6524GS-8S) is a member of the Cisco ME 6500 series Ethernet

 

switches. The Cisco ME 6524 Ethernet switch (ME-C6524GS-8S) is a 1.5 RU horizontal chassis with

 

24 SFP downlink ports and 8 SFP uplink ports. Table 1-1lists the features of the Cisco ME 6524

 

Ethernet switch (ME-C6524GS-8S) chassis. Table 1-2lists the specifications of the Cisco ME 6524

 

Ethernet switch (ME-C6524GS-8S) chassis. Table 1-3lists the front panel LEDs and their meanings.

 

Figure 1-1shows the front view of the chassis with the major features identified; Figure 1-2shows the

 

rear view of the chassis with the major features identified.

Table 1-1

Cisco ME 6524 Ethernet Switch (ME-C6524GS-8S) Features

 

 

 

 

Feature

 

Description

 

 

 

 

Chassis

 

1.5 RU height, fixed configuration chassis

 

 

 

 

Modules

 

Fixed configuration chassis; modules cannot be installed in the chassis.

 

 

 

 

Fan Tray

 

Supports one hot swappable fan tray (FAN-C6524). The fan tray

 

 

contains seven fans for chassis cooling. The individual fans are not

 

 

replaceable.

 

 

Fan tray FAN LED

 

 

Green—Fan tray is operating normally.

 

 

Red—One or more individual fans have failed.

 

 

 

 

Power Supplies

 

Supports one or two power supplies. The following power supplies are

 

 

supported:

 

 

PWR-400W-DC (400 W DC-input power supply)

 

 

Power supply LEDs—Refer to Table A-1 on page A-1for LED colors

 

 

and their meanings.

 

 

 

 

Cisco ME 6500 Series Ethernet Switch Installation Guide

 

OL-8900-01

1-1

 

 

 

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Cisco Systems ME 6500 specifications Product Overview, Feature Description

ME 6500 specifications

The Cisco Systems ME 6500 is a sophisticated Ethernet switch designed to cater to the demanding needs of service providers and large enterprises. Engineered to deliver high performance and reliability, the ME 6500 series is ideal for both metro Ethernet applications and data center environments. One of its standout features is the ability to handle massive bandwidth, making it suitable for high-capacity networks. The switch supports a range of Ethernet services that facilitate seamless connectivity and network expansion.

At the core of the ME 6500 is its ability to provide Layer 2 and Layer 3 functionalities, which allows for flexibility in network design. This dual-layer capability enhances the switch's efficiency in managing traffic and ensures optimal forwarding of data packets. In addition, the ME 6500 series supports a wide range of Ethernet interfaces, including 10 Gigabit and 1 Gigabit Ethernet ports, which are essential for accommodating diverse bandwidth requirements.

One of the defining characteristics of the Cisco ME 6500 is its scalability. It supports up to 192 10 Gigabit Ethernet ports within a single chassis, enabling organizations to expand their network without compromising performance. Furthermore, the switch includes advanced Quality of Service (QoS) features that allow for traffic prioritization, which is crucial for maintaining the performance of voice and video services across the network.

The ME 6500 switch is also equipped with robust security features, including Access Control Lists (ACLs) and secure management protocols. These features protect sensitive data as it traverses the network, ensuring that only authorized users have access to critical resources. Management of the switch is simplified through Cisco’s management tools, allowing network administrators to monitor, configure, and troubleshoot the device efficiently.

Additionally, the switch supports various redundancy protocols, including Rapid Spanning Tree Protocol (RSTP) and Link Aggregation Control Protocol (LACP), ensuring high availability and minimizing downtime.

Overall, the Cisco ME 6500 is a powerful and versatile solution that meets the heavy demands of modern network environments, delivering outstanding performance, security, and scalability for both service providers and large enterprises. Its advanced features make it a go-to choice for organizations looking to future-proof their networking infrastructure.