Chapter 1      Product Overview
Port Addresses
1-84
Catalyst 6500 Series Switch Module Installation Guide
78-15725-02
Port Addresses
Each port (or interface) in the switch is designated by several different types of 
addresses. The physical interface address is the actual physical location (slot and 
port) of the interface connector within the chassis. The system software uses the 
physical addresses to control activity within the switch and to display status 
information. These physical slot and port addresses are not used by other devices 
in the network; they are specific to the individual switch and its internal 
components and software. For more information, see the “Physical Interface 
Addresses” section on page 1-85.
Note For Catalyst 6500 series switches running Cisco IOS software, refer to the 
Catalyst 6500 Series Switch Cisco IOS Software Configuration Guide for port 
address information.
The Media Access Control (MAC) address is a standardized data link layer 
address that is required for every port or device that connects to a network. Other 
devices in the network use these addresses to locate specific ports in the network 
and to create and update routing tables and data structures. The switches use a 
unique method, described in the “MAC Addresses” section on page 1-86, to 
assign and control the MAC addresses of their interfaces.
Port number Green The telephone or fax machine is off-hook.
Yellow The module or port is disabled through the CLI
1
.
Off The port is not active (connected device is on-hook) or the link is 
not connected.
1. CLI = command-line interface
Table 1-22 24-Port FXS Analog Interface Module LEDs (continued)
LED Color/State Description