The Switch Fabric Module (SFM) for the Catalyst 6500 series switches delivers an increase in available system bandwidth from the existing 32- to 256-Gbps. This significant increase in available bandwidth ensures that the Catalyst 6500 Family continues to deliver not only best-in-class bandwidth, but also the performance and advanced services required for today's most advanced networks.The Switch Fabric Module provides a framework for delivering high-bandwidth architecture. The Switch Fabric Module is one of the key enablers for the optional distributed forwarding technology, and allows local forwarding and switching on individual line cards, making it a suitable platform for convergence of high traffic volumes at different parts of the network. The Switch Fabric Module enables a new architecture that allows 30 Mpps of Cisco Express Forwarding (CEF)-based central forwarding performance on Supervisor Engine 2 and over 100 Mpps via distributed forwarding on line cards. The higher bandwidth and performance enabled by the Switch Fabric Module coupled with advanced services such as Quality of Service (QoS) and security in hardware via access control lists (ACLs) make Catalyst 6500 series the premier platform for both service providers as well as Enterprises.