Cisco WS-X6516-GBIC enterprise networking (router/Catalyst switch/UCS families) Switch / Carrier Ethernet Line Card

The Cisco WS-X6516-GBIC is a Catalyst 6500-series 16-port Gigabit Ethernet line card using GBIC transceivers, in the fabric-enabled (‘-e’) configuration that connects directly to the chassis’s dedicated crossbar switch fabric rather than the older shared backplane bus. Fabric-enabled cards give each line card its own high-speed connection to a compatible fabric-capable supervisor (such as Supervisor Engine 2 or 720).

This substantially increases available switching bandwidth per slot compared with classic bus-connected cards like the earlier 6416/6408 GBIC modules. GBIC-based ports let the operator fit whichever transceiver type (copper, multimode or single-mode fibre, at the required distance) each port needs, rather than being locked to one media type per card. Catalyst 6500 chassis fitted with fabric-enabled supervisors and line cards of this generation remain in service on many established networks. Tech-Star (UK-based, shipped worldwide) inspects and tests each unit before dispatch; confirm compatibility with your specific supervisor and fabric configuration before ordering.