Cisco WS-C6500-VSSC Full Official Product Description
1. Part Number & Naming Definition
Official Market Designation
Cisco Catalyst 6500 Series Virtual Switching System Feature Configuration License
Market Reference SKU:WS-C6500-VSSC
Naming Breakdown
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WS-C6500: Catalyst 6500 platform identifier
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VSSC: Virtual Switching System Configuration package / VSS feature license
Core Product Positioning
The Cisco WS-C6500-VSSC is the feature license package that enables Virtual Switching System (VSS) 1440 virtualization functionality on Cisco Catalyst 6500 modular multilayer switches equipped with VSS-capable supervisor engines (VS-S720-10G, VS-SUP32-10GE). VSS consolidates two independent physical Catalyst 6500 chassis into a single logical switching device, simplifying network architecture, eliminating first-hop redundancy protocols such as HSRP/VRRP, and delivering enhanced resiliency for enterprise campus core and data center aggregation networks. This license activates inter-chassis control plane synchronization, Virtual Switch Link (VSL) operation, Multichassis EtherChannel (MEC), and non-stop forwarding capabilities.
2. Hardware & Software Compatibility
Supported Supervisor Engines
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VS-S720-10G (WS-F6K-VSS720)
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VS-SUP32-10GE (market reference WS-F6K-VSS440)
Supported Catalyst 6500 Chassis
6506-E, 6509, 6509-E, 6513
VSS function is unsupported on 6503 / 6503-E chassis
Minimum IOS Software Requirement
Cisco IOS 12.2(33)SXH and later SXH / SXI trains, IOS 15.1SY
Unsupported Hardware
Non-VSS capable supervisors (SUP720, SUP32 non-VS variants), Catalyst 6800, Nexus switching families
3. Technical Functional Specifications
Licensed VSS Core Capabilities
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VSS 1440 dual-chassis virtualization for two Catalyst 6500 switches
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Virtual Switch Link (VSL) protocol operation over supervisor integrated 10GE ports
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Multichassis EtherChannel (MEC) cross-chassis link aggregation
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Inter-chassis Stateful Switchover (SSO) and Non-Stop Forwarding (NSF)
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Dual-Active Detection mechanism for split-brain failure protection
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Single logical management plane across two physical chassis
Architecture Benefits Enabled by WS-C6500-VSSC
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Eliminate HSRP/VRRP gateway redundancy overhead
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Simplify Layer 2/Layer 3 network design with unified control plane
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Support cross-chassis ISSU (In-Service Software Upgrade) for zero-downtime maintenance
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Optimize uplink bandwidth utilization via MEC load balancing across two physical switches
Deployment Requirements
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One license set required per VSS domain (two paired Catalyst 6500 chassis)
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Matching VSS-capable supervisor engines installed on both peer chassis
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Valid VSL 10G Ethernet interconnection between supervisor uplink ports
4. Supported Network Features (Activated via VSS License)
Layer 2 Protocols
802.1Q VLAN, MSTP/RSTP/PVST+, LACP, private VLAN, storm control, port security
Layer 3 Forwarding
Distributed CEF, IPv4 hardware routing, hardware IPv6 (VS-S720 only), EIGRP, OSPF, BGP
Multicast
PIM-SM/PIM-DM, IGMP Snooping, MLD Snooping
High Availability
SSO, NSF, ISSU, dual-active recovery
Traffic Management & Security
Hardware ACL, QoS policing/shaping, CoPP, DHCP Snooping, DAI, IP Source Guard
5. Typical Enterprise Deployment Scenarios
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Data center aggregation layer high-availability VSS architecture deployment
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Large enterprise campus core network virtualization to simplify gateway design
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Legacy Catalyst 6500 network upgrade enabling chassis virtualization
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IPTV and video surveillance networks requiring resilient cross-chassis link aggregation
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Consolidation of redundant standalone Catalyst 6500 switch pairs
6. Regulatory & Compliance
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Software license compliant with Cisco End User License Agreement (EULA)
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Works alongside hardware certifications: UL 60950-1, CE, FCC Class A, RoHS 2.0
7. Package Contents (License Package)
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Cisco WS-C6500-VSSC VSS Feature Activation License Authorization
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License installation documentation
Note: This item is asoftware feature license, physical hardware modules, transceivers and cables are sold separately.
End-of-Life Status
The Catalyst 6500 VSS platform has reached Cisco End-of-Sale (EoS). Limited software maintenance support remains available. Recommended migration platforms: Catalyst 6800 Series or Cisco Nexus 9000 switches.
UNSPSC Classification Code
43211503 – Cisco WS-C6500-VSSC Virtual Switching System feature license for Catalyst 6500 Series multilayer switches, enabling dual-chassis VSS 1440 virtualization, cross-chassis EtherChannel and high availability forwarding for enterprise campus and data center core networks.
License Terms
Standard Cisco software license terms. Original factory licenses carry Cisco software support entitlement; refurbished/transfer licenses follow reseller commercial agreements.
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