Cisco Catalyst 6506, 6506-E, 6509 and 6509-E Switches with Wireless Services Module (WiSM)
Cisco Catalyst 6506, 6506-E, 6509 and 6509-E Switches with Wireless Services Module (WiSM), from Cisco Systems, Inc., holds FIPS 140-2 certificate #729 at overall level 2. The validation is historical: agencies may keep the module in existing systems but not buy it new. Below are its validation history, algorithm certificates and security policy, drawn from the NIST CMVP entry.
Caveat: When operated in FIPS mode
Certificate
| Certificate number | 729 |
|---|---|
| Standard | FIPS 140-2 |
| Status | historical |
| Overall level | 2 |
| Module type | Hardware |
| Embodiment | Multi-chip standalone |
| Vendor | Cisco Systems, Inc. · website |
| Hardware versions | Chassis: 6506, 6506-E, 6509 and 6509-E; Backplane: Hardware Versions 1.0 (6506-E), 1.1 (6509-E) and 3.0 (6506, 6509); Supervisor Blade: Hardware Versions: 4.1 (SUP720-3B) and 4.0 (SUP720-3BXL); WiSM: Hardware Version 1.2 |
| Firmware versions | 12.2(18)SXF4, Build adventerprisek9 (Supervisor) and 3.2.116.21 (WiSM) |
Module description
Quoted from the NIST CMVP entry for this certificate.
The Cisco Catalyst 6506, 6506-E, 6509 and 6509-E Switches with Wireless Services Module (WiSM) provide unparalleled security, mobility, redundancy, centralized control and scalability for large-scale Government and Enterprise wireless LAN networks and supports the IEEE 802.11i wireless security standard in conjunction with meeting the Wi-Fi Alliances interoperability specification WPA2 to enable a Secure Wireless Architecture. The module supports voice, video and data services, location & asset tracking, integrated intrusion detection & intrusion protection and intelligent radio.
Approved algorithms (6)
Other algorithms
RC4; MD5; HMAC MD5; RSA (key wrapping; key establishment methodology provides 96 bits of encryption strength; non-compliant)
Validation history
| Date | Type | Lab |
|---|---|---|
| 2006-12-21 | Initial | SAIC-VA |
| 2011-08-22 | Update | |
| 2012-02-23 | Update |
Status timeline
As observed by this tracker's snapshots. NIST publishes no dates for list moves; observation began 2026-08-21, so earlier changes carry no date.
- 2026-08-21: first observed by this tracker, status historical
- Validation dates on record: 2006-12-21, 2011-08-22, 2012-02-23