Sophisticated QoS: Integrated QoS and traffic-management capabilities based on Layer 2-4 classify and prioritize mission-critical and time-sensitive traffic, using Modular QoS CLI (MQC) and up to 64,000 QoS policy entries. The Cisco Catalyst 4500 Series can shape and rate-limit bandwidth-intensive traffic with mechanisms such as input and output policers based on host, network, and application information.

Power over Ethernet (PoE): The Cisco Catalyst 4500 Series supports the 802.3af standard for PoE on 10/100 or 10/100/1000 ports, allowing customers to support telephones, wireless base stations, video cameras, and other appliances. PoE makes it possible to place devices in unique locations without having to provide new outlets and costly electrical circuits. Moreover, PoE allows businesses to isolate critical devices on a single power system, so the entire system can be supported by uninterruptible power supply (UPS) backup.

All Cisco Catalyst 4500 Series PoE line cards can support 15.4 watts (W) of power per port simultaneously. Not only do the cards support the IEEE standard, including the optional power classifications, but the Cisco prestandard power implementation is also supported to help ensure backward compatibility with existing Cisco powered devices. The cards are compatible with any Cisco Catalyst 4500 Series chassis and supervisor engine. Most importantly, the Cisco Catalyst 4500 Series has the power supplies and accessories to support 15.4W per port on every port simultaneously in any fully loaded chassis.