Cisco WS-C6506-E End of Life & End of Support
Cisco Catalyst 6506-E Enhanced 6-Slot Chassis
Past Last Date of Support (Oct 31, 2025)The Catalyst 6506-E was a compact 6-slot enhanced chassis for the 6500 modular switching platform, sized for smaller campus core and distribution rooms that still needed Sup2T-class performance. Cisco's bulletin retires the model in favor of the Catalyst 9606R, the 6-slot chassis in the current 9600 core switching line.
Cisco WS-C6506-E lifecycle milestone dates
- End-of-Sale Date
- Oct 30, 2020
- End of Software Maintenance
- Oct 30, 2021
- Last Date of Support (LDoS)
- Oct 31, 2025
Dates per Cisco’s official End-of-Sale/End-of-Life bulletin. Verify against your support contract before acting.
Running past End-of-Sale or Last Date of Support means no new Cisco TAC, hardware replacement, or security fixes. Uniqcli, an authorized Cisco partner, scopes a like-for-like or better replacement, confirms TAA compliance, accepts the Government Purchase Card (GPC), and plans a low-risk cutover.
Prefer to keep it running? Cisco no longer sells SmartNet for this model. Extend support with third-party maintenance →
Not sure this is your exact unit? Look it up by serial number →
Related end-of-life Cisco products
Frequently asked questions
When is the Cisco WS-C6506-E end of life?
Cisco announced End-of-Sale for the WS-C6506-E effective Oct 30, 2020. The Last Date of Support (LDoS) is Oct 31, 2025, after which Cisco no longer provides support. It is past its last date of support.
What replaces the Cisco WS-C6506-E?
Cisco's recommended migration is the Cisco Catalyst 9600 Series 6-Slot Chassis. Uniqcli, an authorized Cisco partner, can quote the replacement TAA-compliant and GPC-payable, and help plan the cutover.
Can I still get support for the WS-C6506-E?
Not from Cisco. The WS-C6506-E passed its Last Date of Support (Oct 31, 2025), so Cisco TAC, hardware replacement, and SmartNet renewals are no longer available. Independent third-party maintenance can still cover the hardware itself, typically well below OEM renewal rates. Uniqcli can review your install base, confirm coverage, and quote extended support or a refresh side by side.