Device Options
Firewall Services Module

The Firewall Services Module (FWSM) is a multi-gigabit, integrated firewall module for the Cisco Catalyst 6500 Series switch and the Cisco 7600 Series Internet router. It is fabric-enabled and capable of interacting with the bus and the switch fabric. Based on PIX Security Appliance technology, FWSM provides stateful firewall functionality in these switches and routers.

The following are the key features of FWSM :

  • High-performance, 5-Gbps throughput, full-duplex firewall functionality
  • Based on Cisco PIX Security Appliance technology
  • 5 Gbps throughput per module
  • Support for 1000 VLANs
  • 1 million concurrent connections
  • LAN failover: Active or standby, and inter chassis or intra chassis
  • Dynamic routing with Open Shortest Path First (OSPF) and passive Routing Information
  • Protocol (RIP)
  • Supports up to four modules per chassis

The table in Figure shows the major differences between the PIX Firewall and FWSM.