First Published: April 15, 2019

Last Updated: December 13, 2021

Overview of Cisco Catalyst 9600 Series Line Cards

This document describes the features of a Cisco Catalyst 9600 Series line card. It also provides information about how to correctly install or replace a line card in the chassis.

Table 1. Supported Line Cards

Product ID

Description

C9600-LC-48YL

Cisco Catalyst 9600 Series 48-port 50G1/25G/10G/1G module.

C9600-LC-24C

Cisco Catalyst 9600 Series 24-port 100G/40G or 12-port 100G module.

C9600-LC-48TX

Cisco Catalyst 9600 Series 48-port 10G/5G/2.5G/1G/100 Mbps/10 Mbps module.

C9600-LC-48S

Cisco Catalyst 9600 Series 48-port 1G module.

C9600-LC-40YL4CD

Cisco Catalyst 9600 Series 40-port 50G/ 25G/10G, 2-port 200G/100G/40G, 2-port 400G/200G/100G/40G module.

1 G stands for Gigabit Ethernet.

Features of Cisco Catalyst 9600 Series Line Cards

The following sections describe the major features available on the line cards that are supported on Cisco Catalyst 9600 Series switches. The document also explains the front view of the line cards and the different LEDs available.

Cisco Catalyst 9600 Series 40-Port 50G, 2-Port 200G, 2-Port 400G Line Card (C9600-LC-40YL4CD)

The following figure shows the front view of a Cisco Catalyst 9600 Series 40-port 50G/25G/10G SFP56, 2-port 200G/100G/40G QSFP56 and 2-port 400G/200G/100G/40G QSFP-DD line card (C9600-LC-40YL4CD) with major features identified.

Figure 1. Cisco Catalyst 9600 Series 40-Port 50G, 2-Port 200G, 2-Port 400G Line Card (C9600-LC-40YL4CD)


Table 2. Front Panel Components of C9600-LC-40YL4CD

1

Status LED

5

2 x 400G/200G/100G/40G QSFP-DD ports

2

Locate (Blue beacon) LED

6

Port Link LEDs

3

40 x 50G/25G/10G SFP56 ports

7

Ejector levers

4

2 x 200G/100G/40G QSFP56 ports

8

RFID embedded on the left ejector lever
Table 3. Features Supported on C9600-LC-40YL4CD

Feature

Description

Ports per module

  • Provides 40 SFP56 ports, 2 QSFP56 ports and 2 QSFP-DD ports. SFP56 ports support 50G or 25G or 10G, whereas QSFP56 ports support 200G/100G/40G and QSFP-DD ports support 400G/200G/100G/40G speeds.

  • With C9600X-SUP-2, the line card provides 40 ports of 50G/25G/10G, 2 ports of 200G/100G/40G and 2 ports of 400G/200G/100G/40G.

  • With C9600-SUP-1, the line card provides 40 ports of 25G/10G/1G and 2 ports of 100G/40G.

Supervisor module compatibility

Supports C9600X-SUP-2 and C9600-SUP-1.

Cisco QSFP to SFP or SFP+ Adapter (QSA) adapter (CVR-QSFP-SFP10G) support

Provides 10G/1G connectivity on all the QSFP ports, depeding on the supervisor module installed. With C9600X-SUP-2 installed in the chassis, you can use the QSA adapter and 10G transceivers and with C9600-SUP-1, you can use 10G and 1G transceivers.

Breakout connectivity

Using breakout cables, you can achieve the following functionalities:

  • With C9600X-SUP-2,

    • Split each QSFP56 and QSFP-DD port into 4 x 10G or 4 x 25G or 2 x 100G ports.

    • Split each QSFP-DD port into 8 x 50G SFP ports and 4 x 100G QSFP56 ports.

  • With C9600-SUP-1, you can split each QSFP56 port into 4 x 10G or 4 x 25G ports.

Chassis slot restrictions

C9606R: Slots 1, 2, 5, and 6 only. However, you can install a line card in any of the supported slots.

Hardware restrictions

  • QSFP-DD ports are not supported when you have installed Cisco Catalyst 9600 Series Supervisor 1 Module (C9600-SUP-1) in the chassis.

  • With C9600X-SUP-2, you cannot configure two different speeds on adjacent SFP56 ports in a port group2. For example, configuring 10G speed on port 1 and 25G on port 2 where ports 1 and 2 constitue a port group is not permissible.

Bandwidth per slot

  • 2.4 Tbps full-duplex per slot with C9600-SUP-1

  • 6.4 Tbps full-duplex per slot with C9600X-SUP-2
2 A port group constitutes the top and bottom consecutive ports in a module.

Cisco Catalyst 9600 Series 24-Port 100G/40G or 12-Port 100G (C9600-LC-24C)

The following figure shows the front view of a Cisco Catalyst 9600 Series 24-port 100G/40G or 12-port 100G (C9600-LC-24C) with major features identified.

Figure 2. Cisco Catalyst 9600 Series 24-Port 100G/40G or 12-Port 100G (C9600-LC-24C)


Table 4. Front Panel Components

1

Status LED

5

Ejector levers

2

Locate (Blue beacon) LED

6

Port Link LED for the port in the top row

3

100G QSFP28 or 40G QSFP+ ports

7

Port Link LED for the port in the bottom row

4

RFID embedded on the left ejector lever

-

-
Table 5. Features Supported on Cisco Catalyst 9600 Series 24-Port 100G/40G or 12-Port 100G (C9600-LC-24C)

Feature

Description

Ports per module

  • Provides 24 QSFP28 ports of 40G or 100G.

  • Provides 24 ports of 40G and 12 ports of 100G, with C9600-SUP-1. All the 24 ports are configured as 40G by default. Only the odd-numbered ports can be configured as 100G, if required.

  • Provides 40G and 100G support on all ports when used with C9600X-SUP-2.

  • Two ports per port group. A port group constitutes the top and bottom consecutive ports in a module.

Supervisor module compatibility

Supports C9600X-SUP-2 and C9600-SUP-1.

Cisco QSFP to SFP or SFP+ Adapter (QSA) module (CVR-QSFP-SFP10G) support

Provides 10G connectivity on QSFP ports by converting a 40G/100G QSFP port into an SFP/SFP+ port. 1G connectivity using QSA module is available only with C9600-SUP-1.

The line card supports the following configurations using a QSA module in a port group:

  • Configuring odd-numbered (top) and even-numbered (bottom) ports with the QSA module.

  • Configuring odd-numbered ports with the QSA module and even-numbered ports with 40G QSFP optics.

Note 

If you configure an odd-numbered port with 40G QSFP optics and the even-numbered port with the QSA module, the QSA module in the even-numbered port will not work.

Breakout connectivity

Supports 4 x 10G and 4 x 25G breakout cables on the odd numbered ports.

Chassis slot restrictions

C9606R: Slots 1, 2, 5, and 6 only. However, you can install a line card in any of the supported slots.

Hardware restrictions

Configurations with QSFP optics plugged into the top port and the QSA adapter into the bottom port in a port group are not supported.

Bandwidth per slot

  • 2.4 Tbps full-duplex per slot with C9600-SUP-1

  • 4.8 Tbps full-duplex per slot with C9600X-SUP-2
Table 6. Port Mapping for C9600-LC-24C

Port Type

Port Numbering on the Line Card

40G native ports

1–24

100G native ports

  • 25–48 with C9600-SUP-1

  • 1–24 with C9600X-SUP-2
Figure 3. 40G/100G Port Numbering on C9600-LC-24C


Figure 4. 100G Port Numbering on C9600-LC-24C. The following port numbering is applicable only when you are using C9600-LC-24C with C9600-SUP-1.


Figure 5. 40G (Default) Configuration on C9600-LC-24C


By default, all the interfaces on a C9600-LC-24C are 40G enabled. The default 40G interfaces can be configured to function as 100G ports using the CLI. However from each port group, only the odd numbered ports can be configured with 100G speed; the even numbered ports in a port group are disabled.

Figure 6. 100G Configuration on C9600-LC-24C with C9600-SUP-1


Figure 7. 100G Configuration on C9600-LC-24C with C9600X-SUP-2

With C9600X-SUP-2, you can configure all the 24 ports on the line card as 100G ports.

Cisco Catalyst 9600 Series 48-Port 50G/25G/10G/1G (C9600-LC-48YL)

The following figure shows the front view of a 48-port 50G/25G/10G/1G (C9600-LC-48YL) with the major features identified.

Figure 8. Cisco Catalyst 9600 Series 48-Port 50G/25G/10G/1G (C9600-LC-48YL)


Table 7. Front Panel Components

1

Status LED

5

RFID embedded on the left ejector lever

2

Locate (Blue beacon) LED

6

Ejector levers

3

Sharp-edge hazard icon

7

Port Link LED for the port in the top row

4

50G/25G/10G/1G SFP56/SFP28/SFP+ ports

8

Port Link LED for the port in the bottom row
Table 8. Features Supported on Cisco Catalyst 9600 Series 48-Port 25G/10G/1G (C9600-LC-48YL)

Feature

Description

Ports per module

  • Provides 48 50G, 25G, 10G, or 1G interfaces by default. These ports can be interchangeably used as 50G, 25G, 10G, and 1G ports.

  • When used in conjunction with C9600X-SUP-2, all the 48 ports support 50G, 25G, and 10G speeds. With C9600-SUP-1, all the 48 ports support 25G, 10G, or 1G speeds.

Supervisor module compatibility

Supports C9600X-SUP-2 and C9600-SUP-1.

Chassis slot restrictions

C9606R: Slots 1, 2, 5, and 6 only. However, you can install a line card in any of the supported slots.

Hardware restrictions

With C9600X-SUP-2, you cannot configure two different speeds on ports in a port group3. For example, configuring 10G speed on port 1 and 25G on port 2 where ports 1 and 2 constitue a port group is not permissible.

Bandwidth per slot

  • 2.4 Tbps full-duplex per slot with C9600-SUP-1

  • 4.8 Tbps full-duplex per slot with C9600X-SUP-2
3 A port group constitutes the top and bottom consecutive ports in a module.

Cisco Catalyst 9600 Series 48-Port 10G/5G/2.5G/1G/100 Mbps/10 Mbps (C9600-LC-48TX)

The following figure shows the front view of a 48-port 10G/5G/2.5G/1G/100 Mbps/10 Mbps (C9600-LC-48TX) with the major features identified.

Figure 9. Cisco Catalyst 9600 Series 48-Port 10G/5G/2.5G/1G/100 Mbps/10 Mbps (C9600-LC-48TX)


Table 9. Front Panel Components

1

Status LED

5

Ejector levers

2

Locate (Blue beacon) LED

6

Port Link LED for the port in the top row

3

10G/5G/2.5G/1G/100 Mbps/10 Mbps RJ45 copper ports

7

Port Link LED for the port in the bottom row

4

RFID embedded on the left ejector lever

 -

-
Table 10. Features Supported on Cisco Catalyst 9600 Series 48-Port 10G/5G/2.5G/1G/100 Mbps/10 Mbps (C9600-LC-48TX)

Feature

Description

Ports per module

  • With C9600-SUP-1,

    • Provides 48 10G, 5G, 2.5G, 1G, 100 Mbps and 10 Mbps interfaces by default. These ports can be interchangeably used as 10G, 5G, 2.5G, 1G, 100 Mbps and 10 Mbps ports.

    • All the 48 ports support 10G, 5G, 2.5G, 1G, 100 Mbps and 10 Mbps speeds.

  • With C9600X-SUP-2, provides 48 ports of 10G speed.

Supervisor module compatibility

Supports C9600X-SUP-2 and C9600-SUP-1.

Chassis slot restrictions

C9606R: Slots 1, 2, 5, and 6 only. However, you can install a line card in any of the supported slots.

Bandwidth per slot

960 Gbps full-duplex per slot

Cisco Catalyst 9600 Series 48-Port 1G (C9600-LC-48S)

The following figure shows the front view of a 48-port 1G (C9600-LC-48S) with the major features identified.

Figure 10. Cisco Catalyst 9600 Series 48-Port 1G (C9600-LC-48S)


Table 11. Front Panel Components

1

Status LED

5

Ejector levers

2

Locate (Blue beacon) LED

6

Port Link LED for the port in the top row

3

Sharp-edge hazard icon

7

Port Link LED for the port in the bottom row

4

1G SFP ports

-

-
Table 12. Features Supported on Cisco Catalyst 9600 Series 48-Port 1G (C9600-LC-48S)

Feature

Description

Ports per module

  • 48 SFP ports of 1G: Provides 48 1G interfaces.

  • All the 48 ports support 1G speed.

Supervisor module compatibility

Supports only C9600-SUP-1.

Chassis slot restrictions

C9606R: Slots 1, 2, 5, and 6 only. However, you can install a line card in any of the supported slots.

Bandwidth per slot

96 Gbps full-duplex per slot

Line Card LEDs

Table 13. Line Card LEDs

LED Type

LED Position or Colour

Meaning


Blue Beacon

Blue

Module requires attention. Provisioned by the administrator of the system

Off

Module does not need any attention.

Blinking Blue

Fast Blinking Blue



Status LED

Off

Module is disabled or is not powered up.

Green

All diagnostic tests have passed and the module is operational.

Red

Indicates major environmental alarms, if the module is online.

Amber

Indicates minor environmental alarms, if the module is online.


Port LED

Green

Port link is up.

Amber

Port link is disabled, that is, administratively down.

Off

No signal is detected, the link is down, or the port is not connected.

Alternating Green and Amber

Indicates port beacon.

Blinking green

Indicates traffic on the port.

Traffic Utilization

Blinking Rate

Less than 5%

Nil

Between 5% and 30%

At a rate of 1 second.

Between 30% and 70%

At a rate of 0.5 seconds.

More than 70%

At a rate of 0.2 seconds.

Preparing for Installation and Removal of a Line Card

Safety Warnings

Safety warnings appear throughout this publication in procedures that may harm you if you perform them incorrectly. A warning symbol precedes each warning statement. The warnings below are general warnings that are applicable to the entire publication.


Warning

Power Cable and AC Adapter - When installing the product, please use the provided or designated connection cables/power cables/AC adaptors. Using any other cables/adaptors could cause a malfunction or a fire. Electrical Appliance and Material Safety Law prohibits the use of UL-certified cables (that have the "UL or CSA" shown on the code) for any other electrical devices than products designated by CISCO. The use of cables that are certified by Electrical Appliance and Material Safety Law (that have "PSE" shown on the code) is not limited to CISCO-designated products. Statement 371

Warning

Read the installation instructions before using, installing or connecting the system to the power source. Statement 1004

Warning

Class 1 laser product. Statement 1008


Warning

This unit is intended for installation in restricted access areas. A restricted access area can be accessed only through the use of a special tool, lock and key, or other means of security. Statement 1017


Warning

Only trained and qualified personnel should be allowed to install, replace, or service this equipment. Statement 1030


Warning

Hazardous voltage or energy is present on the backplane when the system is operating. Use caution when servicing. Statement 1034


Warning

Ultimate disposal of this product should be handled according to all national laws and regulations. Statement 1040


Warning

Invisible laser radiation may be emitted from disconnected fibers or connectors. Do not stare into beams or view directly with optical instruments. Statement 1051


Warning

Class 1M laser radiation when open. Do not view directly with optical instruments. Statement 1053

Warning

Class I (CDRH) and Class 1M (IEC) laser products. Statement 1055

Warning

Invisible laser radiation may be emitted from the end of the unterminated fiber cable or connector. Do not view directly with optical instruments. Viewing the laser output with certain optical instruments (for example, eye loupes, magnifiers, and microscopes) within a distance of 100 mm may pose an eye hazard. Statement 1056

Warning

IMPORTANT SAFETY INSTRUCTIONS

This warning symbol means danger. You are in a situation that could cause bodily injury. Before you work on any equipment, be aware of the hazards involved with electrical circuitry and be familiar with standard practices for preventing accidents. Use the statement number provided at the end of each warning to locate its translation in the translated safety warnings that accompanied this device. Statement 1071

SAVE THESE INSTRUCTIONS

Preventing ESD Damage

ESD damage might occur when modules or other FRUs are improperly handled, resulting in intermittent or complete failure of the modules or FRUs. Modules consist of printed circuit boards that are fixed in metal carriers. EMI shielding and connectors are integral components of a carrier. Although the metal carrier helps to protect the board from ESD, always use an ESD-grounding strap when handling modules. To prevent ESD damage, follow these guidelines:

  • Always use an ESD wrist or ankle strap and ensure that it makes good skin contact.

  • Connect the equipment end of the strap to an unfinished chassis surface.

  • When installing a component, use an available ejector lever to properly seat the bus connectors in the backplane or midplane. These devices prevent accidental removal, provide proper grounding for the system, and help to ensure that bus connectors are properly seated.

  • When removing a component, use an available ejector lever to release the bus connectors from the backplane or midplane.

  • Handle carriers by available handles or edges only; avoid touching the printed circuit boards or connectors.

  • Place a removed component board-side-up on an antistatic surface or in a static-shielding container. If you plan to return the component to the factory, immediately place it in a static-shielding container.

  • Avoid contact between the printed circuit boards and clothing. The wrist strap only protects components from ESD voltages on the body; ESD voltages on clothing can still cause damage.

  • Never attempt to remove the printed circuit board from the metal carrier.

Tools Required

You will need these tools to install or remove supervisor engines and line cards:

  • Your own ESD-prevention equipment or the disposable grounding wrist strap included with all upgrade kits, FRUs, and spares.

  • Antistatic mat or antistatic bag

Installing and Removing Line Cards

Installing a Line Card


Warning
Hazardous voltage or energy is present on the backplane when the system is operating. Use caution when servicing. Statement 1034

Caution
To prevent ESD damage, handle the line cards by the carrier edges only.

Before you begin

  • Take the necessary precautions to prevent ESD damage. Wear a grounded ESD wrist strap while handling the line cards.

  • Ensure that you have enough clearance to accommodate any interface equipment that you will connect directly to the ports.

Procedure

Step 1

Remove the slot blank cover (C9606-SLOT-BLANK=) if it is present, by squeezing the release handles towards each other (with your thumb and index fingers) and sliding the cover out of the bay. Save it for future use.

Step 2

Remove the new line card from the shipping packaging, being careful to handle the module using only the module’s metal tray or the front panel. Do not touch the printed circuit board or the connector pins.

Step 3

Pivot the left and the right ejector levers away from the front of the module and hold them while sliding the line card into the slot.

Step 4

Hold the line card's front panel with one hand and place your other hand under the carrier to support the line card.

Step 5

Position and carefully slide the line card into the slot. Make sure that you align the sides of the printed circuit boards with the slot guides on each side of the chassis slot.

Note 

The ejector levers on C9600-LC-40YL4CD are different from the other line cards. Ensure that you open the levers to its maximum permissible angle.

Figure 11. Positioning and Sliding the Line Card into the Slot


Step 6

Pivot both the ejector levers inward simultaneously. Make sure that you pivot the ejector levers of C9600-LC-40YL4CD only after the line card is seated completely inside the slot.

Figure 12. Pivoting the Ejector Levers Inward


Figure 13. Pivoting the Ejector Levers of C9600-LC-40YL4CD


1

Ejector levers

Step 7

Install necessary transceivers, if any, into the module ports.

For installation instructions along with safety warnings for the various types of transceivers, see https://www.cisco.com/en/US/products/hw/modules/ps5455/prod_installation_guides_list.html
Step 8

Attach the necessary network interface cables or other devices to the interface ports.

Step 9

Check the status of the line card:

  1. Ensure that the status LED is green.

  2. When the switch is online, enter the show module command. Verify that the system acknowledges the new line card and that the line card status is OK.

  3. If the line card is not operational, reseat it. If it is still not operational, contact your Cisco customer service representative.

Removing a Line Card


Warning

Hazardous voltage or energy is present on the backplane when the system is operating. Use caution when servicing. Statement 1034


Warning

Invisible laser radiation may be emitted from disconnected fibers or connectors. Do not stare into beams or view directly with optical instruments. Statement 1051


Caution

To prevent ESD damage, handle line cards by the carrier edges only.

Before you begin

  • You will need a slot blank cover (C9606-SLOT-BLANK) if the slot is to remain empty.

  • Take the necessary precautions to prevent ESD damage. Wear a grounded ESD wrist strap while handling the modules.

Procedure

Step 1

Disconnect network interface cables, if any, that are attached to the line card ports.

Step 2

If the line card is equipped with removable optical transceivers, immediately install dust plugs into the transceiver’s optical bores. This prevents possible dust contamination, which can affect port performance.

Step 3

Grasp the left and right ejector levers and slightly push the two ejector levers in and towards the faceplate.

Figure 14. Pushing the Ejector Levers Inward


Warning 

Make sure that you push the ejector levers slightly inward before you rotate the levers outward. Failing to do so will deform the injector catch pins on the levers.

Step 4

Press the ejector buttons on the ejector levers of the line card to release the levers from the line card.

Important 

Do not press the buttons on the ejector levers of C9600-LC-40YL4CD. The ejector buttons on C9600-LC-40YL4CD line cards are meant to be used only for rotating the levers while inserting transceivers or network interface cables. Pressing the button releases the ejector levers and lets you rotate the levers outwards in any angle without disengaging the module from the chassis.

Step 5

Grasp the left and right ejector levers and simultaneously rotate the levers outward to disengage the line card from the backplane connector.

Figure 15. Pivoting the Ejector Levers


Figure 16. Pivoting the Ejector Levers on C9600-LC-40YL4CD


1

Button on the ejector lever

2

Ejector levers

Note 

The ejector buttons on C9600-LC-40YL4CD line cards are meant to be used only for rotating the levers while inserting transceivers or network interface cables. Pressing the button releases the ejector levers and lets you rotate the levers outwards in any angle without disengaging the module from the chassis.

Step 6

Grasp the front panel of the line card with one hand and place your other hand under the carrier to support and guide it out of the slot. Do not touch the printed circuit boards or connector pins.

Step 7

Carefully slide the line card straight out of the slot, keeping your other hand under the carrier to guide it.

Figure 17. Removing a Line Card from the Slot


Figure 18. Removing a C9600-LC-40YL4CD from the Slot


Step 8

Place the line card on an antistatic mat or in an antistatic bag.
Step 9

Install a replacement line card after a 15-second wait. Alternatively, if the chassis slot is to remain empty, install a blank slot cover (C9606-SLOT-BLANK).

Remove slot blanks only when installing a line card. If a line card is removed, ensure that you replace it with a slot blank immediately. Also, keep the line card in ESD-protective bags when they are not installed in a chassis.

Caution 

Blank faceplates and cover panels serve three important functions: they prevent exposure to hazardous voltages and currents inside the chassis; they contain electromagnetic interference (EMI) that might disrupt other equipment; and they direct the flow of cooling air through the chassis. Do not operate the system unless all cards, faceplates, front covers, and rear covers are in place. Statement 1029