Catalyst switch

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For other uses, see Catalyst (disambiguation).
The Cisco Catalyst 6500 series switches
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The Cisco Catalyst 6500 series switches

Catalyst is the brand name for a variety of network switches sold by Cisco Systems. While commonly associated with Ethernet switches, a number of different interfaces have been available throughout the history of the brand.

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[edit] Operating Systems

In most cases, the technology for the Catalyst Switch was developed separately from Cisco's router technology. The Catalyst switches traditionally ran software called CatOS rather than the more widely known IOS software used by routers. However, this has changed as the product lines have merged closer together. In some cases, particularly in the modular chassis switches, a configuration called 'Hybrid' has emerged - this is where the layer 2 functions are configured using CatOS, and the layer 3 elements are configured using IOS. 'Native IOS' can also be found with newer software versions that have eliminated CatOS entirely in favor of IOS, even on hardware that originally required CatOS.

The latest version of IOS for the Catalyst 6500 series is 12.2(18)SXF5 which enables ISSU via IOS Software Modularity.

Some newer Catalyst switch models (with recent versions of the Cisco IOS) also allow configuration via web-based GUI module which is hosted on a HTTP server located on the switch. The IOS config-mode command 'ip http-server' will enable this style of configuration. In series 12.x IOS, 'ip http-server' is always on as a factory default. The Catalyst 3750-series of switches is an example of a Cisco Catalyst switch that allows this style of GUI configuration via HTTP.

[edit] Interfaces

  • As Catalysts are primarily Ethernet switches, all modern Catalyst models have Ethernet interfaces, ranging from 10 Mbit/s to 10 Gbit/s depending on the model.
  • Some models can accommodate ATM interfaces which can be used to bridge Ethernet traffic across WANs.
  • Some models can support T1, E1, and ISDN PRI interfaces to provide connections to the PSTN.
  • Older models supported a variety of interfaces, such as Token Ring, FDDI, and 100BaseVG, but are no longer sold by Cisco Systems.


[edit] Features

Most models have basic layer 2 functions and are capable of switching Ethernet frames between ports. Commonly found additional features are VLANs, trunking (Cisco proprietary ISL or IEEE 802.1Q) and QoS or CoS. The switches, whether IOS or CatOS, are fully manageable.

Many Catalysts that run IOS are also capable of functioning as a router, making them layer 3 devices; when coupled with TCP and UDP filtering, these switches are capable of layer 2-4 operation. Depending on the exact software image, a Catalyst that runs IOS may be able to tackle large-scale enterprise routing tasks, using router technologies like OSPF or BGP.

Most chassis-based Catalyst models have the concept of field-replaceable "supervisor" cards. These work by separating the line cards, chassis, and processing engine (mirroring most Cisco router designs). The chassis provides power and a high-speed backplane, the line cards provide interfaces to the outside world, and the processing engine moves packets, participates in routing protocols, etc. This gives several advantages:

  • If a failure occurs, only the failed component needs to be replaced (typically a line card or supervisor). This means faster turnaround than having to uncable, unbolt, pull out, replace, re-bolt, and re-cable an entire switch, which may be as large as a quarter-rack, weigh over 150 pounds, and service over 500 cables.
  • A redundant supervisor engine may be installed to rapidly recover from supervisor failures. This is subject to restrictions (as some switches don't support redundant supervisors), but typically results in restoration times under 90 seconds.
  • A supervisor engine may be upgraded after purchase, increasing performance and adding features without losing any investment in the rest of the switch.

Additionally, most high-end switches off-load processing away from the supervisors, allowing line cards to switch traffic directly between ports on the same card without using any processing power or even touching the backplane. Naturally, this can't be done for all traffic, but basic layer-2 switching can usually be handled exclusively by the line card, and in many cases also more complex operations can be handled as well.

[edit] Models

Cisco Systems has developed its series of switches under the Catalyst name.

  • The Cisco Catalyst 6500 Series is a chassis-based switch family. [1] This series can support interfaces up to 10 gigabit Ethernet in speed and redundant Supervisor modules.
  • The Cisco Catalyst 5500 Series and Cisco Catalyst 5000 Series is a chassis-based switch family. Cisco Catalyst 5000 Series is accquired from other company.
  • The Cisco Catalyst 4900 series is a fixed-configuration switch. [2] Uplink interfaces are either SFP ports or 10 gigabit Ethernet, with 48 copper ports of 10/100/1000 Ethernet.
  • The Cisco Catalyst 4500 Series is a chassis-based switch family. [3] This series can support uplinks up to 10 Gbit/s in speed and redundant Supervisor modules (R-series Models only).

The series: 500, 1200, 1600, 1700, 2000, 2100, 2800, 29xx are mostly end user switches to which computers are connected.

The 3000, 35xx, 37xx, 40xx 45xx, 5xxx, 6xxx are more found as core switches as they have more features than normal switches. They can integrate a Layer 3 functionality giving them a basic routing feature, useful to communicate between VLANs. Catalyst 3750 Metro Series Switch provides MPLS services.

The 10000 switch family is considered an edge device, having many functionalities that can be built as the device is very modular.

The inside of a Cisco 1900-series switch
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The inside of a Cisco 1900-series switch
  • 1700: 24 10BaseT ports, 1 switchable MDI/MDIX uplink 10baseT/AUI/BNC port, and 2 Fast Ethernet ports. Runs neither CatOS nor IOS. Is a first-generation carryover from Cisco's acquisition of Grand Junction Networks.
  • 19xx: 12 or 24 10BaseT ports and 2 Fast Ethernet ports. ISL trunking on the 100 Mbit/s ports. Runs neither CatOS nor IOS.

[edit] Market Position

Cisco Systems is currently the leader in world-wide shipments for the fast-growing 10 gigabit Ethernet (10GbE) market. Constituting a significant portion of Cisco's 70% share of this $1.3 Billion market, the Catalyst series remains one the company's most popular products. In 2006, Cisco's Catalyst switch reached a milestone with cumulative sales reaching $20 Billion.

[edit] References


[edit] See also

[edit] External links

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