Migration from ATM to GE using Cat 5000 Series

[megatamirul]

I have existing Catalyst 5000 for my core and catalyst 5500 as my distribution. Currently the network is running on ATM. I would like to suggest to my company to upgrade to GE, whereby it is more easy to manage. My question is:

1.What are the things that I need to consider?

2.Can the Cat 5000 series runs GE network?

3.What IOS version to be upload to the box to run GE?

4.Will it be more practical to change the entire chassis and/or the module?

[Prashanth Krishnappa]

Yes. The Cat5000 does support Gigabit etherner and we have a range of GE modules

http://cio.cisco.com/univercd/cc/td/doc/product/lan/cat5000/hardware/modules/04ether.htm

For software requirements, the release notes is the best place

http://cio.cisco.com/univercd/cc/td/doc/product/lan/cat5000/c5krn/sw_rns/78_11304.htm#xtocid6

[7rbowenii]

The cat5000 only has a 3.2 GB backplane.

Basically, it can be done, but may not be money well spent. If it were me, I would probably look into a 4000 or 6000 base chassis to support ge. the 4000 is small, has limited redundancy, but is affordable and out of the gate has an advertised 64 GB backplane. The 6000 is a bit more expensive, with many more capabilities, but comes with only a 32GB backplane. I would definitely consider some alternate designs/chassis before spending any money on upgrading the 5000. Not to mention that support for the 5000 is probably going away if it hasn't already.