AJ822C HPE Brocade 8GB San 8/24c Power Pack 24 Ports Managed Switch

Enterprise-Class Fibre Channel Switching Module

The HPE AJ822C Brocade 8GB SAN 8/24c Power Pack is a high-performance managed Fibre Channel switch plug-in module engineered for scalable storage area network environments. Designed to deliver reliable, low-latency connectivity, this 24-port SAN switching solution supports mission-critical data traffic while ensuring consistent throughput and operational stability across enterprise infrastructures.

Product Identification Details

• Manufacturer: HPE
• Part Number: AJ822C
• Device Category: Managed SAN Switch Module
• Total Port Capacity: 24 Fibre Channel Ports

Optimized for Storage Area Networks

• Designed specifically for Fibre Channel SAN deployments
• Supports dense port configurations for scalable fabrics
• Enhances airflow and power efficiency within modular systems

High-Speed Fibre Channel Ports

• 16 x 8Gb Fibre Channel ports for core connectivity
• 8 x 8Gb Fibre Channel SFP+ ports for extended flexibility
• Optimized for low latency and high throughput storage traffic

Advanced Fibre Channel Protocol 

• FC-AL-2 and FC-DA for loop and direct attachment
• FC-SW-3 and FC-SW-4 for switched fabric environments
• FCP-2 for reliable SCSI command transport
• FC-BB-2 and FC-BB-3 for buffer-to-buffer credit management
• FC-GS-4 and FC-GS-5 for name server and fabric services

Management Protocols

• SNMP for proactive monitoring and alerts
• Telnet for command-line based configuration
• HTTP for web-based management interfaces
• SMI-S for standardized storage management integration

Key Features and Functional Capabilities

• Full-duplex mode for simultaneous bidirectional data flow
• ARP support for improved network communication handling
• Centralized management for simplified administration
• High availability design for mission-critical workloads

Interface and Module Capacity

• 16 x 8Gb Fibre Channel interfaces for primary connections
• 4 x 8Gb Fibre Channel SFP+ interfaces for extended reach
• 4 x additional 8Gb Fibre Channel interfaces for expansion

Maximum Module

• Up to 4 modules pre-installed
• Expandable to a maximum of 8 modules

Enterprise-Class Fibre Channel SAN Switching Architecture

The HPE AJ822C Brocade 8GB SAN 8/24c Power Pack 24 Ports Managed Switch Plug-in Module belongs to the enterprise Fibre Channel storage networking category, specifically designed for mission-critical data center environments that require deterministic performance, low latency, and high availability. This category focuses on modular SAN switch components that integrate seamlessly into HPE blade and converged infrastructure ecosystems, enabling scalable and resilient storage fabrics. Built around Brocade’s proven Fibre Channel technology, this class of managed switch modules delivers predictable throughput and reliability for demanding workloads such as virtualization, database processing, enterprise resource planning, and large-scale backup operations.

Within modern data centers, Fibre Channel SAN switching remains a cornerstone technology for organizations that prioritize performance isolation and lossless data transport. The category represented by this plug-in module emphasizes tight integration with server enclosures, centralized management, and consistent performance under heavy I/O loads. By operating at 8Gbps per port, the switch module ensures sufficient bandwidth for legacy and transitional SAN environments while maintaining compatibility with existing Fibre Channel standards.

HPE and Brocade Technology Synergy

This category highlights the collaboration between Hewlett Packard Enterprise and Brocade, combining HPE’s infrastructure expertise with Brocade’s specialized SAN switching innovation. The HPE AJ822C module is engineered to meet strict enterprise qualification standards, ensuring seamless interoperability within HPE BladeSystem environments. Brocade’s ASIC-based switching technology delivers wire-speed performance with minimal latency, which is critical for transactional storage traffic.

The integration of Brocade Fabric OS within this category provides advanced fabric services, enhanced diagnostics, and robust security features. These managed switch modules are designed for administrators who require granular control over zoning, fabric segmentation, and traffic optimization without sacrificing ease of deployment. The result is a SAN switching category that prioritizes operational stability and long-term scalability.

Managed Switch Plug-In Module Design Philosophy

The managed plug-in module form factor defines this category by enabling storage networking capabilities directly within blade enclosures. This design reduces external cabling complexity, minimizes rack footprint, and improves airflow efficiency. The HPE AJ822C module occupies a dedicated interconnect bay, allowing organizations to expand SAN connectivity without additional standalone switches.

By embedding management intelligence within the module, this category supports centralized configuration and monitoring. Administrators can manage SAN fabrics alongside server and enclosure resources, streamlining operational workflows. This approach aligns with data center strategies focused on consolidation, automation, and reduced operational overhead.

8Gb Fibre Channel Performance Characteristics

The 8Gb Fibre Channel performance tier remains a critical segment within the SAN switching category, especially for environments transitioning from older 4Gb infrastructures or optimizing cost-performance ratios. The HPE AJ822C Brocade module delivers consistent throughput across all 24 ports, ensuring balanced performance for mixed workloads. This performance profile supports high IOPS storage arrays, virtualized server clusters, and enterprise applications that demand predictable latency.

Advanced buffering and credit management mechanisms within this category ensure smooth data flow even during traffic bursts. The architecture minimizes congestion and prevents frame drops, maintaining data integrity across the fabric. These performance attributes make the category suitable for environments where storage performance directly impacts business operations.

Scalable Port Density and Fabric Expansion

Port density is a defining feature of this category, with the 8/24c Power Pack configuration enabling up to 24 active Fibre Channel ports. This scalability allows organizations to grow their SAN fabrics incrementally without disruptive hardware replacements. As storage demands increase, additional ports can be activated to accommodate new servers or storage arrays.

The ability to scale within the same module simplifies capacity planning and extends the lifecycle of the SAN infrastructure. This category supports long-term growth strategies by offering flexibility in port utilization and fabric design, reducing the need for frequent upgrades.

Advanced Fabric Services and Intelligent Management

Managed SAN switch modules in this category incorporate advanced fabric services that enhance reliability, performance, and security. Features such as zoning, fabric segmentation, and traffic isolation allow administrators to design SAN architectures tailored to specific application requirements. The HPE AJ822C module leverages Brocade Fabric OS to deliver these capabilities with proven stability.

Intelligent management tools enable real-time monitoring of port performance, error rates, and fabric health. This visibility allows proactive identification of potential issues before they impact production workloads. The category emphasizes operational transparency, empowering IT teams to maintain optimal SAN performance with confidence.

Centralized Management within HPE Ecosystems

A key advantage of this category is seamless integration with HPE management platforms. Administrators can manage the SAN switch module alongside compute and enclosure resources, reducing the learning curve and simplifying day-to-day operations. This unified management approach aligns with modern data center practices focused on convergence and automation.

Centralized management also enhances consistency across deployments, ensuring standardized configurations and compliance with organizational policies. The category supports environments where efficiency and governance are as important as raw performance.

High Availability and Resilient Fabric Design

High availability is a core requirement within the enterprise SAN switching category. The HPE AJ822C Brocade module is designed to support redundant fabrics, failover mechanisms, and non-disruptive firmware updates. These capabilities ensure continuous access to critical storage resources even during maintenance or component failures.

Resilient fabric design within this category minimizes single points of failure and supports mission-critical applications that cannot tolerate downtime. By leveraging proven Fibre Channel protocols and Brocade reliability features, the category delivers the stability required for enterprise-grade storage environments.

Non-Disruptive Operations

The category emphasizes non-disruptive operations, allowing administrators to perform configuration changes and firmware upgrades without impacting active traffic. This capability is essential for organizations that operate around the clock and require continuous availability. The HPE AJ822C module supports rolling upgrades and fabric-level redundancy to maintain service continuity.

Such operational flexibility reduces maintenance windows and supports agile IT practices. The category is well-suited for environments where uptime is a critical metric and service interruptions are unacceptable.

Security and Access Control in SAN Environments

Security is an increasingly important aspect of SAN switching categories, particularly in multi-tenant or regulated environments. The HPE AJ822C Brocade module incorporates robust security features such as port authentication, zoning enforcement, and role-based access control. These capabilities help protect sensitive data and prevent unauthorized access to storage resources.

By integrating security directly into the fabric, this category reduces the risk of data breaches and ensures compliance with industry regulations. Secure SAN design is essential for organizations handling confidential information, financial data, or healthcare records.

Fabric Segmentation and Zoning Strategies

Fabric segmentation and zoning are fundamental elements of this category, enabling logical separation of storage traffic. Administrators can isolate workloads, control access paths, and optimize performance through granular zoning policies. The HPE AJ822C module supports flexible zoning configurations that adapt to evolving application requirements.

These capabilities enhance both security and performance, making the category suitable for complex enterprise environments with diverse workloads and compliance needs.

Compatibility and Interoperability

Interoperability is a defining characteristic of this SAN switch module category. The HPE AJ822C Brocade 8GB SAN switch is compatible with a wide range of HPE servers, storage arrays, and blade enclosures. It also supports industry-standard Fibre Channel protocols, ensuring seamless integration with existing SAN components.

This broad compatibility protects existing investments and simplifies migration paths. Organizations can deploy the module within mixed environments without extensive reconfiguration, making the category ideal for incremental upgrades and hybrid SAN architectures.

Legacy and Transitional Environments

The category addresses the needs of organizations operating legacy SAN infrastructures while planning for future upgrades. By supporting 8Gb Fibre Channel alongside backward compatibility, the HPE AJ822C module enables gradual transitions without forcing immediate overhauls. This flexibility reduces risk and spreads capital expenditures over time.

Such transitional support is particularly valuable for enterprises with long hardware refresh cycles or complex application dependencies.

Use Cases and Deployment Scenarios

This category is well-suited for a wide range of enterprise use cases, including virtualization clusters, database servers, and business-critical applications. The predictable performance and reliability of the HPE AJ822C Brocade module make it an ideal choice for environments where storage latency directly affects application responsiveness.

Deployment scenarios often include data centers seeking to consolidate infrastructure, improve manageability, and enhance resilience. The managed plug-in module design supports both greenfield deployments and upgrades within existing HPE BladeSystem environments.

Virtualized and Cloud-Ready Data Centers

In virtualized and private cloud environments, this category supports dense server configurations with high storage connectivity demands. The ability to scale ports and manage fabrics centrally aligns with cloud-ready architectures that prioritize flexibility and automation.

The HPE AJ822C module provides the foundation for reliable storage connectivity in environments where virtual machines and containers generate dynamic and unpredictable I/O patterns.

Long-Term Value and Management

The SAN switch module category represented by the HPE AJ822C emphasizes long-term value through durability, scalability, and vendor support. Enterprise-grade components and rigorous testing ensure consistent performance over extended lifecycles. This reliability reduces total cost of ownership by minimizing downtime and replacement frequency.

Lifecycle management features such as firmware updates, diagnostics, and vendor support programs further enhance the value proposition. Organizations investing in this category benefit from predictable performance and long-term operational stability.

Enterprise Support and Proven Reliability

HPE and Brocade support ecosystems reinforce the reliability of this category, providing access to updates, documentation, and technical expertise. This support infrastructure is critical for enterprises that require assurance of ongoing compatibility and performance.

The combination of robust hardware design and comprehensive support makes the HPE AJ822C Brocade 8GB SAN switch module a trusted component within enterprise storage networking strategies.