Introduction

The new Cisco Catalyst switches are the next generation of networking switches in this evolving landscape of networking technology. The decision to shift from one series of network switches to another is not one to be taken lightly. However, the Cisco 6800 series switches have been delivering premium connectivity to large enterprises in the industry, but the emergence of Cisco 9600 has started a new era of networking.

Purpose of this Guide

This guide is intended to help networking businesses large and small who are familiar with the Cisco Catalyst 6800 series switches and must deploy Cisco Catalyst 9600 series switches in the networking environment.

Why Migrate?

The decision to migrate from the Cisco 6800 series to the brand new Cisco Catalyst 9600 series switches represents a strategic leap forward for businesses looking to stay competitive in the industry. Shifting allows organizations to accept enhanced speed, scalability, and efficiency in meeting the growing demands of modern networks. Moreover, in the comparison, the Catalyst 9600 offers cost-efficiency and has a future-ready design, but it also adapts to the evolving landscape of networking technologies.

The various factors to take into account when switching from the Cisco Catalyst 6800 Series to the 9600 Series are listed in this guide.

What are Cisco 6800 switches?

Being a member of Cisco's Catalyst family, the 6800 series, with features that meet the demands of complex network structures, has been essential in supporting vital business operations. The Cisco 6800 Series Switches have gained a reputation as a dependable option for individuals looking for stability and performance in their network infrastructure, thanks to their sophisticated security protocols and effective traffic management. These switches have long served as the foundation of numerous businesses because they were made to satisfy the various demands of enterprise-level networks. Cisco 6800 switches, with their blend of top-tier features and functionalities, have established themselves as reliable workhorses, offering secure and dependable connectivity solutions.

Overview of Cisco Catalyst 9600 switches

A significant advancement in networking technology is the Cisco Catalyst 9600 series. These switches solve the shortcomings of their predecessors by providing improved performance, scalability, and cutting-edge features. A comparative cost analysis serves to emphasize the value proposition of the Catalyst 9600 series even more. There are a number of benefits to this migration, including improved performance, lower costs, and network infrastructure future-proofing. In today's dynamic business environment, flexibility and scalability are critical factors, and the Catalyst 9600 series shines in these areas.

Cisco 9600 Port Density

The chassis for the Cisco Catalyst 9600 has six slots. Supervisors only have access to two middle slots, and they operate in redundant mode. Line cards go in the top and bottom two slots. The chassis can provide up to 6.4 Tbps of bandwidth between each supervisor slot and each line card slot. This indicates that 32 100G ports will be available at line rate for each line card slot on the system.

32x 400G ports at line rate or

100G/40G ports with 128x line rate or

192 times the line rate Ports: 50G/25G/10G/5G/2.5G/1G.

Cisco IOS XE

The standardized solutions offered by Cisco are compatible with all network switch stages and are open source. Cisco IOS XE offers new capabilities for network segmentation, operation, and configuration through network automation. The following factors are responsible for the mechanism:

Automated Device Provisioning: As part of its turnkey solutions, Cisco offers a PXE (Plug and Play and Preboot Execution) environment for automatic upgrades and installs when the files are first made available on the network.

API-based Configuration: It can supply network resources and is compatible with the newest modular network switches.

Granular Visibility: This model makes it possible for data to stream regularly from the switch to the designated destination. The YANG data set subscription makes this data observable.

Supervisor Hardware

Cisco's UADP 3.0 ASIC architecture and an x86 CPU architecture serve as the foundation for the Cisco Catalyst 9600 Supervisor Engine 1. Based on an x86 CPU architecture and the Cisco Silicon One ASIC architecture, the Cisco Catalyst 9600 Supervisor Engine 2 operates. In order to host containers and run third-party apps and scripts natively within the switch, both Supervisor Engines offer choices for extra external storage.

The Cisco 6800 and 9600 Series hardware are contrasted in Table 1.

Feature	Cisco Catalyst 6800 Series	Cisco Catalyst 9600 Series
Supervisor Engine	Supervisor Engine 6T	Supervisor Engine 9E
Maximum Slots	10 Slots	13 Slots
Maximum Bandwidth (per slot)	Up to 440 Gbps	Up to 960 Gbps
Maximum System Bandwidth	Up to 440 Gbps	Up to 25.6 Tbps
Power Supply Options	AC and DC power supplies	AC and DC power supplies
Maximum PoE Power	Up to 30W per port	Up to 60W per port
Redundant Power Supplies	Yes	Yes
Fabric Technology	Centralized forwarding with distributed control plane	Centralized forwarding with distributed control plane
Modular Line Cards	Yes	Yes
Hot-swappable Line Cards	Yes	Yes
Network Module Support	Yes	Yes
Built-in Wi-Fi Support	No	Yes (Wi-Fi 6)
Integrated Security Features	Yes	Yes
Modular Uplinks	Yes, various options	Yes, various options
Chassis Dimensions	17.3 x 17.3 x 18.5 in	17.3 x 17.3 x 18.5 in

Cisco SD-Access

Cisco Software Driven Access speeds up and streamlines network operations for businesses. At its core, digital transformation is all about the dynamic functionality of the enterprise network—a secure, programmable, and integrated network that powers businesses by maximizing agility and scalability. As a part of the DNA (Digital Network Architecture) platform, Cisco SD-Access allows companies to expand by opening up avenues for new opportunities and empowering them to seize them.

Boosts Visibility: Monitor hitherto unknown endpoints and make sure they abide by network security guidelines. Establish guidelines for network policies, and allow or prohibit interactions with the network.

Constant Monitoring: Keep tabs on every device linked to the network and use endpoints to neutralize any possible threats.

Zero-trust Security: Reduce the possibility of breaches by improving regulatory compliance and granting personnel only the access they need.

IoT Integration: Segmenting a network reduces the attack surface on the network and makes it easier to deploy IoT devices.

Troubleshooting: By employing analytical decision-making to identify and intercept threats early on, SD-Access shortens the time needed for troubleshooting.

Network segmentation: To enforce network security policies across all devices on the network edge, expect responsive network segmentation that works in concert with dynamic micro- and macro-segmentation.

Additionally, SD-Access uses the Cisco DNA Center Appliance to automate processes from the edge to the cloud. With Cisco Identity Services Engine (ISE), you can achieve predictable performance and scalability for your network.

System Default Behavior

The system default behaviors on the Cisco Catalyst 9600 switches are similar to those of the Cisco Catalyst 6800. However, IP routing is enabled, the management interface is in a dedicated Virtual Routing and Forwarding (VRF), and so on.

Table 2. Compares the system default behavior of the two switches, Cisco 6800 and Cisco 9600.

Feature	Cisco Catalyst 6800 Series	Cisco Catalyst 9600 Series
Chassis Support	Modular chassis	Modular chassis
Default Switch Mode	VSS (Virtual Switching System)	VSS (Virtual Switching System)
Supervisor Engine	Sup6T, Sup6E, Sup9E	Sup6T, Sup6E, Sup9E
Maximum Ports (Line Cards)	Up to 880 Gbps per slot	Up to 880 Gbps per slot
Default Software Image	Cisco IOS-XE	Cisco IOS-XE
Default VLAN Support	4096 VLANs	4096 VLANs
Default IP Routing	Yes	Yes
Default MAC Address Table Size	Up to 96,000 entries	Up to 96,000 entries
Default Spanning Tree Protocol	IEEE 802.1D (STP), IEEE 802.1w (Rapid STP)	IEEE 802.1D (STP), IEEE 802.1w (Rapid STP)
Default Security Features	Port Security, DHCP Snooping, Dynamic ARP Inspection (DAI)	Port Security, DHCP Snooping, Dynamic ARP Inspection (DAI)
Default QoS Features	Classification, Marking, Policing, Shaping	Classification, Marking, Policing, Shaping
Default Power over Ethernet (PoE)	Yes, with compatible line cards	Yes, with compatible line cards
Default Multicast Support	IGMP Snooping, PIM (Protocol Independent Multicast)	IGMP Snooping, PIM (Protocol Independent Multicast)
Default High Availability Features	Dual Supervisors, ISSU (In-Service Software Upgrade)	Dual Supervisors, ISSU (In-Service Software Upgrade)
Default Management Interfaces	Console, Telnet, SSH, SNMP	Console, Telnet, SSH, SNMP
Default Software Updates	Cisco DNA Software-Defined Access (SD-Access) capable	Cisco DNA Software-Defined Access (SD-Access) capable

Power Redundancy

The power supply has four slots in the Cisco Catalyst 9600 Series as opposed to two in the Cisco Catalyst 6800 Series. There are two modes of operation for power supplies:

Combination mode: This is the standard mode. The system's power supply modules are all operational and sharing power.

N+1 redundant mode: When the output from the N power supply is adequate, the system switches to this mode.

Table 3. Summarizes the difference in power redundancy of the both, Cisco 6800 and Cisco 9600.

Feature	Cisco Catalyst 6800 Series	Cisco Catalyst 9600 Series
Power Supply Options	AC and DC power supply options	AC and DC power supply options
Redundant Power Supplies	Supports redundant power supplies	Supports redundant power supplies
Power Supply Capacity	Various power supply capacities available, depending on the model	Various power supply capacities available, depending on the model
Power Supply Hot Swap	Supports hot-swappable power supplies for uninterrupted operation	Supports hot-swappable power supplies for uninterrupted operation
Power Management Features	Advanced power management features, including power capping and monitoring	Advanced power management features, including power capping and monitoring
Power Supply Input Voltage	Wide range of input voltage support for flexibility	Wide range of input voltage support for flexibility
Power Over Ethernet (PoE)	Supports PoE and PoE+ for powering connected devices	Supports PoE and PoE+ for powering connected devices
Power Redundancy Configuration	Configurable for 1+1 power supply redundancy	Configurable for 1+1 or N+1 power supply redundancy
Energy-Efficient Design	Designed for energy efficiency with power-saving features	Designed for energy efficiency with power-saving features

New vs Refurbished Cisco Routers

When looking to select Cisco routers, new or refurbished, several factors come into play. A new router, whether the 6800 or 9600 Series, typically guarantees the latest technology features and performance. Brand new routers comes with manufacturer warranties and support, providing peace of mind in terms of reliability and longevity. On the other hand, opting for a refurbished router can be a cost-effective alternative, offering potential savings with compromising functionality. These refurbished routers undergo thorough testing, repairs, and quality assurance processes to meet industry standards. The choice between new and refurbished routers ultimately depends on budget constraints, specific performance requirements, and the level of assurance and support desired by the user or organization.

Table 4. compares between new or refurbished Cisco 6800 vs 9600 series.

Feature	Cisco Catalyst 6800 Series (New)	Cisco Catalyst 6800 Series (Refurbished)	Cisco Catalyst 9600 Series (New)	Cisco Catalyst 9600 Series (Refurbished)
Performance	High performance for enterprise networks	Similar performance as new, thoroughly tested	High performance for enterprise networks	Similar performance as new, thoroughly tested
Scalability	Scalable architecture for growing networks	Scalable architecture for growing networks	Enhanced scalability for large networks	Enhanced scalability for large networks
Ports and Interfaces	Multiple port options, diverse interfaces	Same port options and interfaces as new	High-density port options, diverse interfaces	Same port options and interfaces as new
Security Features	Advanced security features for threat mitigation	Security features intact, firmware updated	Advanced security features for threat mitigation	Security features intact, firmware updated
Reliability	High reliability with new hardware components	Rigorous testing for reliability assurance	High reliability with new hardware components	Rigorous testing for reliability assurance
Warranty	Full manufacturer's warranty included	Refurbished warranty, typically shorter duration	Full manufacturer's warranty included	Refurbished warranty, typically shorter duration
Price	Higher upfront cost for new hardware	Lower upfront cost, cost-effective option	Higher upfront cost for new hardware	Lower upfront cost, cost-effective option
Support and Updates	Access to the latest software updates and support	Limited support compared to new, may have access to updates	Access to the latest software updates and support	Limited support compared to new, may have access to updates
Condition	Brand new, out-of-the-box condition	Thoroughly tested, may show slight signs of wear	Brand new, out-of-the-box condition	Thoroughly tested, may show slight signs of wear

Software Features

Maximum Transmission Unit (MTU) for the System

A Layer 2 MTU is the system MTU. The global command "system mtu <1500-9216>" modifies the Layer 2 MTU on each interface in the Cisco Catalyst 9600 Series. As of Cisco IOS XE Software Release 16.11.1, there is no support for an interface-level command to set the MTU for individual interfaces. The global command "system jumbo <1500-9216>" on the Cisco Catalyst 6800 Series sets the global baby giant MTU for every interface. 9216 is the system jumbo MTU by default. A per-interface MTU is also supported by the Cisco 6800 Series. The MTU command specific to each interface has priority.

Table 5. Shows the comparison between System MTU of Cisco 6800 and 9600.

Feature	Cisco Catalyst 6800 Series	Cisco Catalyst 9600 Series
Maximum System MTU	9198 bytes	9198 bytes
Default System MTU	1500 bytes	1500 bytes
Jumbo Frames Support	Yes	Yes
System MTU Routing	Yes	Yes
System MTU VLAN	Yes	Yes
System MTU Control Plane	Yes	Yes
System MTU IP	Yes	Yes