Cisco 8800 Series Line Card 48-Port QSFP28
Cisco 8800 Series Line Card — 48-Port QSFP28 / QSFP56-DD Combo Module for 100G/400G Networks
High-density optical networking for routers building the next generation of 100 Gigabit Ethernet and 400 Gigabit Ethernet infrastructure.
As data center operators, service providers, and enterprise network architects push toward multi-terabit backbones, the demand for line cards that can bridge today’s 100 Gigabit Ethernet deployments with tomorrow’s 400 Gigabit Ethernet requirements has never been higher. The Cisco 8800 Series Line Card answers that call directly. Built for the Cisco 8800 Series modular chassis and powered by Cisco Silicon One forwarding silicon, this combo line card delivers a flexible mix of 34 QSFP28 ports and 14 QSFP56-DD ports — 48 expansion slots in total — giving network engineers a single platform that supports both 100GBase-X and 400GBase-X optics without forcing a forklift upgrade.
In this post we’ll walk through the architecture, the full data sheet specifications, visual breakdowns of port density and throughput, common deployment scenarios, and how to request a formal quote for your next optical network build.
Why This Line Card Matters
Traditional single-speed line cards force operators to choose between 100G density or 400G headroom. The 8800 Series combo card removes that trade-off. Because it mixes QSFP28 (100G-class) and QSFP56-DD (400G-class) cages on the same faceplate, network teams can run a hybrid optical network — aggregating legacy 100G links from access and metro rings while simultaneously lighting up 400G trunks toward the core — all from one chassis slot. That flexibility shortens migration timelines, protects existing optics investment, and simplifies spares planning for carriers and large enterprises alike.
Aggregate Bandwidth
Combined throughput across all 48 front-panel ports on the combo line card.
Expansion Slots
34x QSFP28 + 14x QSFP56-DD front-panel cages in a single field-replaceable module.
Max Port Speed
Native 400 Gigabit Ethernet on QSFP56-DD ports with 100G/40G backward compatibility.
Forwarding ASIC
Cisco’s custom routing silicon delivers line-rate forwarding with deep buffering.
Operating System
Carrier-grade software with streaming telemetry and model-driven programmability.
Field Replaceable
Insert and remove without powering down the chassis for maximum uptime.
Full Data Sheet & Technical Specifications
Below is a consolidated data sheet view of the line card’s core specifications, useful for RFP documents, procurement comparisons, and network design worksheets.
| Specification | Detail |
|---|---|
| Platform Family | Cisco 8800 Series Modular Routers |
| Primary Application | Data Networking, Optical Network, Router / Optical Fiber Transport |
| Ethernet Standards Supported | 400GBase-X, 100GBase-X |
| Total Expansion Slots | 48 front-panel ports |
| Port Type A | 34 x QSFP28 (100 Gigabit Ethernet class) |
| Port Type B | 14 x QSFP56-DD (400 Gigabit Ethernet class, high-density) |
| Aggregate Bandwidth | Up to 9 Tbps per line card |
| Forwarding Silicon | Cisco Silicon One (Q-series) ASIC |
| Breakout Support | 400G, 4x100G, 2x100G, 100G, 40G depending on optic and port group |
| Chassis Compatibility | Cisco 8800 Series distributed modular chassis (8808/8804 class systems) |
| Route Processor Requirement | Cisco 8800-RP2 (or compatible RP for the silicon generation) |
| Operating System | Cisco IOS XR |
| Security | MACsec support on capable variants for wire-speed encryption |
| Management | Model-driven telemetry, streaming analytics, Crosswork Network Automation support |
| Optics Media | Optical fiber — single-mode and multi-mode, ZR/ZR+ coherent optics readiness |
| Deployment Use Case | Metro aggregation, service edge, transport-optimized 100G-to-400G migration |
| Serviceability | Hot-swappable, field-replaceable unit (FRU) |
Port & Bandwidth Breakdown — Visual Charts
The chart below illustrates how the 48 expansion slots are distributed between the two optical form factors, and how each port family contributes to total system throughput.
Port Distribution (48 Total Ports)
Bandwidth Contribution by Port Family (approx. max throughput)
Figures are illustrative maximums per port family at native line rate; actual throughput depends on optic selection, breakout configuration, and traffic profile.
- QSFP28 — 34 ports (71%)
- QSFP56-DD — 14 ports (29%)
Common Deployment Scenarios
🔵 Metro Aggregation & Service Edge
Consolidate 1GbE through 400GbE customer and service traffic on a single edge platform, using the QSFP28 side for existing 100G handoffs and the QSFP56-DD side for 400G trunk uplinks toward the core.
🟣 100G-to-400G Migration Projects
Operators mid-migration can retire 100G line cards gradually rather than swapping an entire chassis, using this combo card as a bridge platform across multiple budget cycles.
🟢 Optical Transport & DWDM-Adjacent Networks
Pair with ZR/ZR+ coherent pluggable optics on the QSFP56-DD ports for routed optical networking (RON), reducing the need for separate transponder shelves.
🟠 Data Center Interconnect (DCI)
High port density and deep buffering make the line card suitable for DCI applications where bursty, high-volume east-west traffic needs predictable performance.
Frequently Asked Questions
What chassis is this line card compatible with?
It is designed for the Cisco 8800 Series distributed modular chassis family and requires a compatible route processor and fabric card generation for full-rate operation.
Can I mix 100G and 400G optics on the same card?
Yes — that is the core value of this combo design. The 34 QSFP28 ports handle 100G-class optics while the 14 QSFP56-DD ports natively support 400G, with breakout options down to 100G/40G on capable ports.
Does it support encryption at line rate?
MACsec wire-speed encryption is available on capable line card variants within the 8800 Series family for secure, line-rate traffic protection.
What software runs on this platform?
The line card operates under Cisco IOS XR, supporting model-driven telemetry, streaming analytics, and automation via Cisco Crosswork.
Request a Quote (RFQ)
Sourcing Cisco 8800 Series line cards, optics, or full chassis builds for your optical network project? Our team helps carriers, data centers, and enterprise network integrators source genuine and compatible networking hardware with fast turnaround and competitive pricing.
What to include in your RFQ request:
- Part number or configuration (e.g., 48-port QSFP28/QSFP56-DD combo line card)
- Quantity required
- Target chassis / route processor / fabric card compatibility
- Optics requirements (QSFP28, QSFP56-DD, reach, single-mode/multi-mode)
- Delivery location and timeline
Email your requirements to:
📧 Request a Quote — [email protected]Our sourcing specialists typically respond within one business day with pricing, lead time, and availability for the Cisco 8800 Series line card and compatible optical transceivers.
Final Thoughts
The Cisco 8800 Series combo line card — 48 expansion slots split across 34 QSFP28 and 14 QSFP56-DD cages, delivering up to 9 Tbps of aggregate bandwidth on Cisco Silicon One — gives network architects a genuinely flexible tool for navigating the 100G-to-400G transition. Whether you’re building out metro aggregation, service edge, or routed optical networking infrastructure, this line card lets you scale port speed exactly where your traffic demands it, without over-provisioning or committing to a single-speed platform too early.
If you’re evaluating this hardware for an upcoming build, reach out using the RFQ section above — our team can help match part numbers, optics, and chassis configurations to your project requirements.