​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.

Related Post

Troubleshooting Abnormally High Health Statis

Troubleshooting Abnormally High Health Statistics on AC...

Cisco NCS2K-M-R1052FSK9= Technical Evaluation

​​NCS2K-M-R1052FSK9= Overview: Multi-Layer Converge...

Cisco NCS-55A2-MODX-SYS Hyperscale Edge Route

​​Architecture & Mission-Critical Design Philos...