The Cisco Catalyst 4500 Series offers two classes of line cards: classic and E-Series. Classic line cards provide 6 gigabits of switching capacity per slot. E-Series line cards provide increased switching capacity per slot. This increase in per-slot switching capacity with the E-Series line cards requires the Cisco Catalyst 4500E Series chassis and the Cisco Catalyst 4500E Series Supervisor. E-Series line cards numbered 47xx operate at 48 gigabits per slot. E-Series line cards may be mixed and matched within a Cisco Catalyst 4500E Series chassis with no performance degradation.