HPE AK859C Storageworks San Director 32-port 8GB FC Switch.

HPE AK859C StorageWorks SAN Director 32-Port 8GB Fibre Channel Blade Switch: Overview

The HPE AK859C StorageWorks SAN Director 32-Port 8GB Fibre Channel Blade Switch is a critical component for organizations that rely on high-performance, scalable, and reliable storage area network (SAN) solutions. This advanced Fibre Channel switch is designed to enhance data storage flexibility, support growing data needs, and provide seamless integration with existing network infrastructures. Offering a substantial 32-port capacity and 8GB of Fibre Channel bandwidth, the HPE AK859C delivers high throughput and reliability for demanding storage applications.

Key Features of the HPE AK859C StorageWorks SAN Director

The HPE AK859C is packed with features designed to maximize the efficiency, flexibility, and scalability of your network storage architecture. Here are some of its core attributes:

High-Performance 8GB Fibre Channel Ports

With 32 high-speed 8GB Fibre Channel ports, the HPE AK859C ensures that your SAN fabric can handle the highest bandwidth requirements for both data center and enterprise-class applications. The high-speed ports significantly improve the speed at which data can be transferred, reducing bottlenecks and increasing the overall performance of the network.

Scalability and Flexibility

The HPE AK859C StorageWorks SAN Director offers unparalleled scalability, enabling businesses to scale their storage solutions as their data storage needs grow. The 32 ports allow for numerous devices to be connected, ensuring that your infrastructure can expand without the need for frequent hardware upgrades. This makes the SAN Director particularly valuable for organizations anticipating rapid data growth.

Enhanced Reliability and Availability

Built with enterprise-level reliability in mind, the HPE AK859C provides features such as redundant power supplies, cooling systems, and advanced diagnostics. These features ensure that your network operates with minimal downtime, even in the event of hardware failures. The robust design of the AK859C ensures that your SAN remains operational 24/7, providing continuous data access for critical applications.

Advanced Security Features

Security is paramount in today's digital landscape, and the HPE AK859C doesn’t fall short. The switch includes built-in security measures to protect sensitive data as it moves through the SAN. Features like secure boot, role-based access control (RBAC), and advanced encryption options ensure that only authorized devices and users can access the network, preventing unauthorized access and safeguarding your data integrity.

Performance and Efficiency of the HPE AK859C SAN Switch

As businesses rely more on data-centric applications, the performance of your storage infrastructure becomes a critical factor. The HPE AK859C StorageWorks SAN Director is designed to provide superior performance, even in the most demanding storage environments.

Optimized for Data Throughput

Fibre Channel technology is widely recognized for its high-performance capabilities. The HPE AK859C supports data transfer rates up to 8Gb/s per port, ensuring that large amounts of data can be moved quickly across the network. Whether you're transferring large datasets, backing up critical information, or running real-time applications, the switch maintains optimal throughput without compromising network stability.

Minimized Latency

Low latency is another key advantage of the HPE AK859C. By reducing the delay between data requests and the corresponding responses, the switch enables faster data access and improved application performance. This is especially critical for environments where time-sensitive data is being processed or high-frequency trading applications are running.

Integration with HPE Storage Solutions

The HPE AK859C StorageWorks SAN Director is designed to integrate seamlessly with a wide range of HPE storage products. This includes both entry-level and enterprise-class storage arrays, providing customers with a complete storage solution that is fully supported by HPE’s suite of products and services.

Compatibility with HPE Storage Arrays

As part of the HPE StorageWorks family, the AK859C switch is fully compatible with HPE's array of data storage products, such as the HPE 3PAR StoreServ and HPE MSA storage systems. This compatibility ensures that businesses can easily expand their storage capabilities without the need for costly or complex integration processes.

Seamless SAN Fabric Management

With HPE’s SAN management tools, including HPE SAN Network Advisor and HPE StoreFabric, the AK859C offers powerful features for configuring, monitoring, and managing the SAN fabric. These tools allow administrators to oversee the health of the entire network, making it easier to identify issues before they affect performance and availability.

Simple and Centralized Management

The integration of these management tools ensures that businesses can maintain a single pane of glass for monitoring the performance and health of the SAN infrastructure, improving operational efficiency and reducing administrative overhead.

Energy Efficiency and Environmental Impact

As organizations look to reduce their carbon footprint and energy consumption, the HPE AK859C StorageWorks SAN Director offers energy-efficient features that help lower operational costs without compromising performance.

Low Power Consumption

HPE has designed the AK859C with energy efficiency in mind, reducing the power required to run the switch. This lowers electricity costs, while also contributing to a greener IT infrastructure. The switch’s power-saving features, such as intelligent power management and energy-efficient components, ensure that businesses can minimize their environmental impact.

Environmentally Friendly Design

In addition to its energy-efficient features, the HPE AK859C is also built using materials that comply with international environmental standards. This makes it an environmentally conscious choice for organizations looking to maintain a sustainable IT infrastructure.

Support and Warranty for the HPE AK859C StorageWorks SAN Director

Hewlett Packard Enterprise provides comprehensive support and warranty options for the AK859C StorageWorks SAN Director. Customers can rest assured that they have access to expert assistance and hardware replacement services if needed.

HPE Support Services

With HPE’s renowned support services, businesses can benefit from proactive monitoring, troubleshooting, and technical assistance. The HPE support team is available around the clock to resolve any issues, ensuring minimal disruption to your SAN operations. Additionally, HPE offers firmware and software updates to keep the SAN Director running with the latest features and security enhancements.

Warranty Coverage

The HPE AK859C comes with a standard warranty that covers hardware replacement, ensuring that any defective components can be swiftly replaced with minimal downtime. HPE’s global warranty coverage ensures that customers worldwide receive timely service regardless of their location.

Applications of the HPE AK859C StorageWorks SAN Director

The HPE AK859C is ideal for various high-performance applications across different industries, providing reliable and efficient SAN connectivity in a variety of use cases.

Data Centers and Enterprise Networks

In large-scale data centers, the HPE AK859C is used to connect multiple storage devices, including disk arrays, tape libraries, and backup systems. The 32 ports and high-speed capabilities make it an ideal solution for businesses with large, complex storage networks that require high availability and fast data access.

Virtualization and Cloud Storage

Virtualized environments, especially those running cloud-based applications, can benefit from the HPE AK859C's ability to provide fast, reliable storage access. As organizations continue to adopt cloud technologies, maintaining high-speed access to data is critical for ensuring the smooth operation of virtual machines and cloud workloads.

Big Data and Analytics

Organizations dealing with big data and analytics can leverage the HPE AK859C to support the data throughput and low-latency requirements of data-intensive applications. The switch ensures that massive datasets can be quickly moved between servers and storage devices, enabling faster insights and more efficient analysis.

Conclusion

The HPE AK859C StorageWorks SAN Director 32-Port 8GB Fibre Channel Blade Switch is a powerful and scalable solution designed to meet the high-performance needs of modern data networks. With its advanced features, exceptional reliability, and seamless integration with HPE storage products, the AK859C is an ideal choice for businesses looking to optimize their SAN architecture. Whether you're managing a large data center, deploying virtualization technologies, or running data-intensive applications, the HPE AK859C ensures that your storage network performs at its best, supporting your business’s growth and success.