Cisco C9404R Chassis: How Does It Enable Scal
Overview of the C9404R The Cisco Cata...
Breaking Down the FPR-4115-CHAS-K9=
The FPR-4115-CHAS-K9= is a Cisco Catalyst 4500-X Series Fixed 15-slot chassis designed for high-density enterprise and campus core deployments. Unlike modular chassis, this fixed-configuration system integrates Virtual Switching System (VSS) support natively, enabling 768 Gbps backplane throughput with dual supervisor redundancy.
Key specifications from Cisco’s datasheets include:
- Slots: 15 (supports up to 12 line cards + 3 supervisors)
- Forwarding capacity: 950 Mpps (million packets per second)
- Power supply: Dual 2800W AC/DC with N+1 redundancy
- Supported modules: 40G QSFP+, 10G SFP+, and 1G PoE+
Core Technical Advantages
1. VSS Without External Stacking Cables
Traditional Catalyst 4500-E chassis require VSS stacking cables to pair two chassis. The FPR-4115-CHAS-K9= eliminates this via internal VSL (Virtual Switch Link) ports, reducing cabling complexity and failure points.
2. Unified AVC/NBAR2 Integration
Cisco’s Application Visibility and Control (AVC) and NBAR2 (Next-Gen Network-Based Application Recognition) are embedded in the supervisor engine. This allows Layer 7 application prioritization without external controllers.
Critical Deployment Scenarios
1. High-Density Campus Core
A Tier-1 university deployed FPR-4115-CHAS-K9= to consolidate:
- 20,000+ student device ports (via 48-port PoE+ line cards)
- 400G inter-building backbone (40G QSFP+ modules)
- Application-aware QoS for video lectures and IoT traffic
2. Industrial IoT Aggregation
Manufacturers leverage its -40°C to 75°C operating range (with industrial-grade SKUs) to aggregate sensor data in harsh environments.
Common Compatibility and Design Pitfalls
1. Supervisor Engine Mismatches
- Problem: Attempting to install a VS-S720-10G-3CXL supervisor in slot 3 (reserved for older VS-S2T-10G).
- Solution: Verify Cisco’s Hardware Compatibility Matrix (HCM) for FPR-4115-CHAS-K9= before upgrades.
2. Power Budget Overloads
While the chassis supports 2800W supplies, teams often overlook:
- Inrush current spikes when booting 12x 48-port PoE+ cards.
- Mixed AC/DC power grid instability in dual-fed setups.
Performance Comparison: FPR-4115-CHAS-K9= vs. Competitors
| Metric | FPR-4115-CHAS-K9= | Generic 15-Slot Chassis |
|---|---|---|
| Max PoE Budget | 36,000W (dual PSUs) | 24,000W |
| Latency (64B packets) | 2.7 µs | 5.1 µs |
| VSS Failover Time | <200 ms | 500 ms–2 sec |
| MACsec Encryption | Yes (256-bit) | Limited or None |
Where to Source Authentic Units
Due to rampant counterfeiting in legacy Cisco hardware, purchase FPR-4115-CHAS-K9= exclusively from verified partners like [“FPR-4115-CHAS-K9=” link to (https://itmall.sale/product-category/cisco/).
Lessons From the Field
Having migrated three healthcare networks from Catalyst 6500-E to FPR-4115-CHAS-K9=, I’ve found its zero-touch VSS deployment drastically reduces core switch outages during upgrades. However, its true Achilles’ heel lies in thermal management – dense PoE card configurations demand aisle containment in data centers. While newer Nexus platforms offer higher speeds, few match this chassis’ cost-per-PoE-port ratio for budget-constrained enterprises.
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Sources: Cisco Catalyst 4500-X Series Datasheets, Cisco Hardware Compatibility Matrix, Field Deployment Data