​​Core Functionality and Design​​

The ​​CP-6800-PWR-AU=​​ is a 6800W AC power supply unit designed for Cisco’s ​​Catalyst 6800-X and 6500-E series switches​​. Tailored for high-density environments, it supports mission-critical applications requiring ​​uninterrupted power delivery​​, such as data centers, financial trading floors, and large-scale industrial IoT deployments.

​​Key Technical Specifications​​

• ​​Input Voltage​​: 200–240 VAC (dedicated for high-efficiency operation).
• ​​Output Capacity​​: Delivers ​​6800W total power​​ with ​​N+N redundancy​​ when paired with a second unit.
• ​​Efficiency​​: Achieves ​​94% efficiency​​ at 50% load, meeting 80 PLUS Titanium standards.
• ​​Hot-Swap Capability​​: Enables replacement without shutting down connected devices.
• ​​Certifications​​: UL 60950-1, CE, and RoHS compliant for global safety and environmental compliance.

​​Addressing Critical User Questions​​

​​Q: Is the CP-6800-PWR-AU= backward-compatible with older Catalyst 6500 chassis?​​

No. It is compatible only with ​​Catalyst 6800-X and 6500-E chassis​​ running ​​Cisco IOS 15.1(2)SY4 or later​​. Legacy 6500 series require separate PSUs like the WS-CAC-6000W.

​​Q: Can it support third-party line cards or PoE modules?​​

Yes, but Cisco restricts full functionality (e.g., dynamic power allocation) to ​​Cisco-validated modules​​. Third-party hardware may trigger system alerts or throttling.

​​Primary Use Cases​​

• ​​Hyperscale Data Centers​​: Powers high-density 100G/400G line cards for AI/ML workloads.
• ​​Financial Networks​​: Ensures zero downtime for algorithmic trading platforms.
• ​​Manufacturing Hubs​​: Supports ruggedized switches controlling automated assembly lines.

​​Purchasing and Implementation Guidance​​

For guaranteed authenticity, the ​​CP-6800-PWR-AU= is available here​​. Ensure your facility’s electrical infrastructure can handle the 30A circuit requirement, and consider ​​Cisco SmartNet Total Care​​ for proactive hardware monitoring.

​​Final Perspective​​

The CP-6800-PWR-AU= exemplifies Cisco’s focus on power efficiency at scale. While its upfront cost and infrastructure demands are substantial, the PSU’s Titanium-level efficiency can slash energy bills by up to 18% compared to Gold-rated alternatives—a critical factor for sustainability-driven enterprises. Having observed deployments in 24/7 trading environments, I’ve noted its reliability under load spikes often justifies the investment. For teams managing hyper-converged infrastructures, skipping this PSU risks creating power bottlenecks that no software fix can resolve.