1-6
Catalyst 6500 Series Switches Installation Guide
OL-5781-04
Chapter 1      Product Overview
  Catalyst 6503 Switch
Figure 1-1 Catalyst 6503 Switch—Front View
Physical Characteristics
Dimensions (H x W x D) • 7 x 17.37 x 21.75 in. (17.78 x 44.12 x 55.25 cm). 
• Chassis requires 4 RU
1
.
• The Catalyst 6503 switch chassis is designed to install in standard 
19-inch equipment racks that meet ANSI/EIA 310-D, IEC 60297, and 
ETS 300-119 standards.
Weight
• Chassis only: 27 lb (12.25 kg).
• Chassis fully configured with 1 supervisor engine, 2 modules, 
2 AC-input PEMs, and 2 AC-input power supplies: 85.4 lb (38.7 kg).
Airflow
•
FAN-MOD-3 (Standard fan tray)—170 CFM
• FAN-MOD-3HS (Optional high-speed fan tray)—270 CFM
Note To maintain proper air circulation through the Catalyst switch 
chassis, we recommend that you maintain a minimum 6-inch 
(15 cm) separation between a wall and the chassis air intake or a wall 
and the chassis air exhaust. You should also allow a minimum 
separation of 12 inches (30.5 cm) between the hot air exhaust on one 
chassis and the air intake on another chassis. Failure to maintain 
adequate air space can cause the chassis to overheat and the system 
to fail. On Catalyst chassis in which the airflow is from front to back, 
the chassis may be placed side-by-side. 
1. RU = rack units
Table 1-2 Catalyst 6503 Switch Specifications (continued)
Item Specification
S
U
P
E
R
V
IS
O
R
2
W
S
-X
6
K
-S
U
P
2
-2
G
E
S
T
A
T
U
S
S
Y
S
T
E
M
C
O
N
S
O
L
E
P
W
R
 M
G
M
T
R
E
S
E
T
C
O
N
S
O
LE
C
O
N
S
O
LE
P
O
R
T
M
O
D
E
P
C
M
C
IA EJE
C
T
P
O
R
T
 1
P
O
R
T
 2
S
w
itch    Lo
ad
 
100%
1%
L
I
N
K
L
IN
K
91239
Slots 1-3
(top to bottom)
Fan assembly
PEM 1 PEM 2
ESD ground
strap connection
Supervisor
Engine
Modules
W
S
-X
6516-G
E-T X 
16 PO
RT 1000 BA
SE-T GE
1
2
3
4
5
6
7
8
9
10
11
12
13
14
15
16
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W
S-X6516-G
E
-T X 
16 PO
R
T 1000 B
ASE
-T
 G
E
1
2
3
4
5
6
7
8
9
10
11
12
13
14
15
16
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