Switch 48 Ports 16GB 96-Port HPE 720966-001 Power Pack+ Managed Rack mountable.

HPE 720966-001 StoreFabric SN6500B Overview

The HPE 720966-001 StoreFabric SN6500B 16GB 96-Port/48-Port Active Power Pack+ Fibre Channel Switch is a robust and scalable network solution designed for data centers, enterprise environments, and high-performance computing (HPC) applications. With its advanced features and performance enhancements, this Fibre Channel switch provides reliable, high-speed connectivity for modern data storage and networking infrastructures.

Key Features of the HPE 720966-001 StoreFabric SN6500B

• High Port Density: With 48 active ports, the switch supports large-scale storage networks, allowing enterprises to expand their Fibre Channel SANs (Storage Area Networks) easily.
• Enhanced Performance: Equipped with a 16GB Fibre Channel architecture, it provides higher throughput, ensuring smooth data transmission and minimal bottlenecks.
• Active Power Pack+ Support: This feature improves power efficiency while ensuring the system can handle the load of demanding workloads.
• Scalability: The SN6500B is designed to grow with the demands of your network, providing the flexibility needed for expanding environments.
• Managed Rack-Mountable Design: The form factor and manageability make it ideal for integration into rack-mounted server infrastructure in data centers.

Applications and Use Cases

Data Center Integration

Data centers often require high-capacity switches that support extensive storage and networking capabilities. The HPE 720966-001 StoreFabric SN6500B is ideal for managing large-scale Fibre Channel SANs, enabling efficient data traffic management between servers, storage systems, and other network devices. Its scalability and high-performance design make it a perfect choice for environments that demand high availability and performance.

Enterprise Storage Networks

Enterprises with complex storage requirements need reliable networking infrastructure to ensure high-speed data access and protection. The SN6500B Fibre Channel switch offers the necessary bandwidth and reliability for critical applications, such as database management, backup and recovery, and disaster recovery. Its flexibility in supporting both 48-port and 96-port configurations allows enterprises to customize their networks based on storage needs and future growth.

High-Performance Computing (HPC)

HPC environments require low-latency, high-throughput networking solutions to support resource-intensive workloads such as simulations, research, and data analytics. The HPE StoreFabric SN6500B’s 16GB Fibre Channel ports enable high-speed data transfers, ensuring that large datasets and computation tasks are handled seamlessly, making it an excellent fit for HPC clusters.

Technical Specifications and Performance

Port Configuration and Expansion

The HPE 720966-001 StoreFabric SN6500B comes with 48 active Fibre Channel ports that are designed to support both 8Gbps and 16Gbps port speeds. The switch offers flexible configurations that can scale from 48 ports to a full 96 ports, providing a significant expansion capacity. This makes it adaptable for a range of enterprise, data center, and storage environments that need additional port density for connectivity.

Redundancy and High Availability

The HPE StoreFabric SN6500B is built for continuous operation with built-in redundancy features, such as dual power supplies and cooling fans. This ensures minimal downtime and maintains optimal performance even in the event of a failure. Redundancy is a key factor in maintaining high availability, especially for mission-critical applications where uptime is crucial.

Advanced Traffic Management

The SN6500B switch provides advanced traffic management capabilities to optimize data flows. With the ability to handle high-density SAN traffic, it reduces congestion and ensures that critical workloads are prioritized. The support for quality of service (QoS) helps guarantee that latency-sensitive applications, like real-time analytics or backup services, are given the bandwidth they need.

High-Speed Performance

With support for 16Gbps Fibre Channel technology, the HPE 720966-001 offers high-speed data transmission that ensures seamless connectivity between storage devices and servers. This is especially important for environments where large volumes of data need to be processed quickly, such as in big data analytics or high-performance computing clusters.

Data Integrity and Security

Ensuring data integrity and security is critical for modern network environments. The HPE StoreFabric SN6500B supports advanced features such as data encryption and secure connectivity, protecting data at rest and in transit. Fibre Channel’s inherent reliability ensures that data packets are delivered without error, and built-in security features safeguard sensitive information from unauthorized access.

Management and Monitoring

Centralized Network Management

The HPE 720966-001 StoreFabric SN6500B comes with robust management tools that allow administrators to monitor and manage network performance efficiently. HPE's StoreFabric management suite provides a centralized platform for configuration, monitoring, and troubleshooting. This streamlines network management and ensures that the switch is always operating at peak performance.

Real-Time Monitoring and Alerts

Real-time monitoring capabilities help network administrators identify potential issues before they impact performance. The SN6500B can send alerts to administrators if thresholds are breached, such as port performance dropping below optimal levels or hardware malfunctions. These alerts allow for proactive maintenance and quick issue resolution, helping to minimize downtime.

Web-Based Management Interface

With a user-friendly web interface, managing the SN6500B becomes an easy task for network administrators. The interface allows for configuring port settings, monitoring switch health, and accessing detailed performance analytics. It’s designed for simplicity and effectiveness, so you can ensure your SAN is always optimized.

Command-Line Interface (CLI) Support

For advanced users and network engineers, the CLI provides more granular control over the switch’s configuration. This interface allows for deeper network configuration, automation, and scripting capabilities to fine-tune the switch’s performance for highly specific use cases.

Integration with Other HPE Products

The HPE 720966-001 StoreFabric SN6500B seamlessly integrates with other HPE networking and storage solutions. Whether you’re utilizing HPE’s 3PAR storage arrays, Nimble Storage, or other enterprise systems, this Fibre Channel switch ensures interoperability within HPE’s comprehensive IT infrastructure. By integrating with the broader HPE ecosystem, you can streamline deployment, management, and support.

Environmental Considerations

Power Efficiency

Power efficiency is a priority for organizations looking to reduce operational costs and meet sustainability goals. The HPE StoreFabric SN6500B features an Active Power Pack+ which reduces power consumption without compromising performance. This feature helps data centers minimize their energy footprint while still delivering the high-speed performance that today’s storage networks demand.

Rack-Mountable Design

The HPE 720966-001 is designed to be mounted in standard 19-inch server racks, which is common for most enterprise and data center environments. Its compact form factor ensures it doesn’t take up unnecessary space while offering high port density and performance. The design also allows for easy integration into existing infrastructure without requiring significant changes to the setup.

Support and Warranty

Comprehensive Warranty Options

The HPE StoreFabric SN6500B comes with HPE's comprehensive warranty options, offering peace of mind to customers. This warranty covers critical components such as the hardware, firmware, and technical support, ensuring that any potential issues can be resolved quickly and efficiently. Support plans are available to fit the needs of businesses, ranging from standard support to premium 24/7 assistance.

Technical Support and Resources

In addition to warranty coverage, HPE provides extensive technical support resources for the SN6500B. This includes access to HPE’s knowledge base, online troubleshooting guides, and expert assistance. HPE’s global support network ensures that your business will have the necessary resources and expertise available when needed.