JQ074A HPE Switch 48 Ports Managed 8QSFP28 Rack-mountable 5945 48SFP28

Product Overview for the HPE JQ074A FlexFabric 48 Ports Managed Switch

The HPE JQ074A FlexFabric 5945 delivers powerful, reliable switching for data center and enterprise core environments, offering robust Layer 3 capabilities and unparalleled interface density in a 1U rack-mountable form factor.

Hardware and Design Architecture

• Form Factor: Compact 1U chassis, purpose-built for rack installation
• Interface Density: Includes 48 high-speed 25GbE SFP28 ports and 8 ultra-fast 100GbE QSFP28 uplinks
• Supplementary Ports: Features 2 additional Gigabit SFP ports for enhanced connectivity
• Console Access: Mini-USB and serial console ports for versatile out-of-band management
• Extra Interfaces: USB, dedicated SFP-based management, and RJ-45 management port options

Memory and Storage Specifications

• Onboard RAM: 8GB SDRAM ensures optimal performance under high workloads
• Embedded Flash: 1GB for system files and firmware storage
• Packet Buffer: 32MB, designed for improved queuing and congestion management

Throughput and Switching Capabilities

• System Latency: Only 1 microsecond for 64-byte packet forwarding
• Switching Capacity: 2Tbps throughput for data-heavy environments
• Packet Processing: Handles up to 2024 million packets per second (Mpps)
• MAC Table Size: Accommodates up to 288,000 MAC addresses for scalable environments
• MTU Support: Jumbo frames up to 9416 bytes for better performance during large data transfers

High-Capacity Routing and VLAN Management

• IPv4 Route Entries: Supports up to 128,000
• IPv6 Route Entries: Capable of managing up to 84,000
• VLAN Support: Scalable to 4096 VLANs for enterprise segmentation

Comprehensive Layer 3 Protocols

• Dynamic and Static Routing: BGP, OSPFv2, OSPFv3, RIP v1/v2, IS-IS, RIPng, ECMP, and static routes
• Multicast Routing: IGMP, IGMPv3, PIM Snooping support
• IPv6 Ready: Includes full IPv6 protocol stack with static IPv6, IS-ISv6, and BGP+
• MPLS & VRRP: Supports advanced traffic engineering and redundancy
• BFD Protocol: Ensures rapid failure detection for critical network paths

Security and Authentication Protocols

• Access Control: 802.1X, port security, and ingress Layer 2 MAC ACLs
• Secure Management: SSHv2, TACACS+, RADIUS authentication mechanisms
• Traffic Integrity: DHCP Snooping, Dynamic ARP Inspection, and secure tunneling

Network Management and Administration

• Remote Protocols: Compatible with SNMP (v1, v2, v2c, v3), Telnet, CLI, TFTP, RMON, and SSH
• Monitoring Tools: Integrated Syslog, SFlow, LLDP, and NTP time synchronization
• CLI Efficiency: Streamlined command line interface for professional control
• Firmware Updates: In-service software upgrades (ISSU) for minimal downtime

Traffic Optimization and QoS Capabilities

• Traffic Shaping: UDP shaping and weighted fair queuing (WFQ/WDRR)
• Differentiated Services: Implements DiffServ, CoS, SP, and CAR for precise traffic prioritization
• Queue Management: Supports WRR queuing with flow and packet-level control

Built-in Redundancy and Power Efficiency

• Power Setup: Hot-swappable internal power modules (sold separately)
• Redundancy Options: Dual PSU support with 1+1 redundancy scheme for high availability
• Energy Optimization: Low power draw combined with efficient fan design for cooler operations

Standards and Compliance Protocols

• IEEE Standards Compliance: Fully compliant with 802.1d/w/s/x/q/ad/ab/ae/ag/ah/ax/qaz protocols
• Advanced Ethernet Protocols: Includes 802.3x, 802.3ad (LACP), and 802.1p for priority queuing
• Management Protocols: LLDP, MSTP, STP, and RSTP support for network topology control

Extensive Feature Set for Data Center Deployment

• Virtualization: Intelligent Resilient Framework (IRF) and tunnel support for multi-site integration
• Data Center Bridging: FCoE, DCB, DCBX protocols for converged network fabrics
• Layer 2 & Layer 3 Services: Comprehensive switching and routing functionality for hybrid environments
• Fan Slots: Equipped with 5 fan tray bays to ensure efficient airflow and thermal balance

Interfaces and Expansion Slots

• 48 × 25GbE SFP28 slots to support high-bandwidth server connections
• 8 × 100GbE QSFP28 for fast uplinks or spine-leaf configurations
• 2 × 1GbE SFP for backward compatibility
• Management and Console: Serial, USB, RJ-45, and SFP-based management ports

Overview of the HPE JQ074A FlexFabric 5945 Switch Series

The HPE JQ074A Switch is part of the HPE FlexFabric 5945 series, an advanced class of data center switches engineered for high-performance network environments. Featuring 48 SFP28 ports and 8 QSFP28 uplink ports, this model delivers exceptional 25GbE and 100GbE connectivity, offering a dense, reliable, and flexible switching solution designed to meet the demands of large-scale enterprise networks and cloud architectures.

Key Technical Specifications

• Model: HPE JQ074A
• Port Configuration: 48 x SFP28 (25GbE) and 8 x QSFP28 (100GbE)
• Form Factor: 1U Rack-Mountable
• Switching Capacity: Up to 3.2 Tbps
• Forwarding Rate: 2,380 Mpps
• Management: Fully managed via CLI, SNMP, REST API, and web GUI
• Redundancy: Dual hot-swappable power supplies and fans

Architectural Design and Port Flexibility

Designed for high-performance computing and top-of-rack (ToR) deployments, the HPE JQ074A provides significant port density and bandwidth. Its 48 SFP28 ports can support 10GbE and 25GbE connections, offering flexibility for varying device needs. The 8 QSFP28 ports can handle 40GbE or 100GbE uplinks, ensuring efficient spine-leaf architecture implementations for scalable data center fabrics.

Modular Port Functionality

One of the strengths of the JQ074A is its modular port design. The QSFP28 ports support breakout capabilities, allowing for increased connectivity options like splitting 100GbE into 4x25GbE or 40GbE into 4x10GbE links. This makes it ideal for dense virtualized environments and scalable, disaggregated infrastructures.

Rack-Mountable Efficiency

Occupying a compact 1U rack space, this switch is engineered for space-conscious deployments while delivering massive throughput. It is optimized for edge, ToR, and mid-plane implementations in both enterprise and service provider scenarios.

Enterprise-Grade Network Performance

The HPE JQ074A delivers non-blocking throughput, ultra-low latency, and high reliability, making it a preferred solution for latency-sensitive applications such as financial trading, AI/ML workloads, and cloud-native environments.

High-Speed Data Transmission

With its ability to handle 3.2 Tbps of switching capacity, the JQ074A ensures seamless transmission of high-bandwidth data streams across virtualized and containerized environments. The 25GbE SFP28 ports outperform traditional 10GbE switches, reducing bottlenecks in modern server deployments.

Support for RDMA and RoCE

Designed to support Remote Direct Memory Access (RDMA) over Converged Ethernet (RoCE), the JQ074A optimizes data flow across data centers by minimizing CPU usage and accelerating throughput. This makes it an excellent fit for hyper-converged infrastructure (HCI) solutions and storage networks.

Advanced Management Capabilities

Fully managed and feature-rich, the HPE JQ074A supports a broad range of protocols and management tools to enhance network control and simplify administration. From command-line interfaces to RESTful APIs, it offers seamless integration into automation frameworks and SDN environments.

Smart Management Interfaces

Administrators can manage the switch using SNMPv3, CLI, web-based GUI, and HPE Intelligent Management Center (IMC). In addition, support for Python scripting and NETCONF allows for automation and programmability in DevOps workflows.

Telemetry and Analytics

Advanced telemetry features deliver real-time visibility into traffic patterns, port utilization, and application performance. This helps IT teams quickly diagnose bottlenecks, proactively detect anomalies, and maintain SLA compliance.

Software Features and Layer 2/3 Functionality

Supporting full Layer 2 and Layer 3 capabilities, the JQ074A enables dynamic routing, network segmentation, and policy enforcement with unmatched efficiency. Features include OSPF, BGP, IS-IS, VRF, and EVPN for VXLAN overlays, allowing scalable multi-tenant architectures.

Comprehensive Security Features

Security is a cornerstone of the HPE JQ074A architecture. With Access Control Lists (ACLs), DHCP snooping, dynamic ARP inspection, and IP Source Guard, the switch helps protect networks against spoofing, MAC flooding, and unauthorized access.

Secure Boot and Firmware Integrity

The JQ074A supports secure boot features and digitally signed firmware to ensure integrity and trust throughout the network device lifecycle. This helps safeguard data centers from firmware-level exploits and rootkits.

High Availability and Redundancy

Designed for always-on environments, the HPE JQ074A supports redundant power supplies and fans, hitless software upgrades (ISSU), and multichassis link aggregation (M-LAG) to ensure minimal downtime and resilient connectivity across infrastructure tiers.

Hitless Upgrades and Software Maintenance

With In-Service Software Upgrades (ISSU), network operators can perform system maintenance and firmware updates without disrupting active traffic. This ensures business continuity, especially in critical environments like financial services or healthcare data centers.

Power and Cooling Efficiency

Energy-efficient design and intelligent fan control reduce power consumption while maintaining thermal performance. The switch supports front-to-back and back-to-front airflow configurations for flexible cooling strategies in hot-aisle/cold-aisle deployments.

Deployment Scenarios and Use Cases

The versatility of the HPE JQ074A makes it ideal for a wide range of enterprise and service provider applications. Whether deployed as a leaf switch in a spine-leaf topology or at the edge of a converged infrastructure, this switch excels in delivering high-speed, low-latency connectivity.

Cloud and Virtualized Data Centers

Designed with cloud-readiness in mind, the JQ074A integrates seamlessly into environments running VMware NSX, OpenStack, or Kubernetes. VXLAN support enables tenant isolation and logical network overlays for secure multi-tenancy in IaaS and PaaS deployments.

Service Provider Infrastructure

Telecom operators and managed service providers can rely on the HPE JQ074A for core routing, mobile backhaul, and edge aggregation. Carrier-grade features such as MPLS, QoS, and IP routing protocols ensure scalable, differentiated services to customers.

High-Performance Computing (HPC)

The low-latency fabric and RDMA capabilities of this switch make it ideal for HPC clusters where data throughput and inter-node communication are critical. It can interconnect thousands of nodes efficiently while maintaining deterministic performance.

Comparative Advantages Over Competing Models

When compared to similar models from Cisco, Juniper, and Arista, the HPE JQ074A offers a competitive edge in terms of port density, software features, and total cost of ownership. Its integration into the HPE ecosystem also allows seamless orchestration with HPE servers and storage.

HPE Ecosystem Integration

As part of HPE’s Composable Infrastructure vision, the JQ074A can be integrated with HPE OneView and Synergy for unified lifecycle management. This allows IT teams to automate provisioning, updates, and decommissioning through a single interface.

Cost and Licensing Benefits

Unlike some competitors that require expensive licensing tiers for advanced features, the HPE JQ074A includes many enterprise features out-of-the-box, reducing operational expenditure and simplifying procurement.

Scalability and Future-Proofing

With 25GbE and 100GbE capabilities, the JQ074A is built to handle future demands in bandwidth-intensive environments. Its support for next-generation technologies and modular uplinks ensures longevity in rapidly evolving data centers.

Support for Emerging Technologies

Designed to support evolving standards such as IPv6, Segment Routing (SR), and EVPN-VXLAN, this switch ensures long-term value. It's well-positioned to accommodate the networking requirements of AI, edge computing, and 5G rollouts.

Programmability for Automation

NETCONF, REST APIs, and Python scripting support empower IT teams to integrate the switch into automation frameworks like Ansible, Terraform, and SaltStack, boosting operational efficiency and reducing human error.

Environmental and Compliance Considerations

The HPE JQ074A is compliant with major environmental and energy efficiency standards, including RoHS, WEEE, and ENERGY STAR. It is ideal for organizations focused on sustainability and long-term energy cost savings.

Green IT and Lifecycle Optimization

By leveraging smart power consumption, HPE provides tools to track energy usage and carbon footprint. The switch is also designed for recyclable packaging and optimized logistics to support green data center initiatives.

Support, Warranty, and Maintenance

The switch is backed by HPE’s comprehensive support offerings, including 24/7 technical support, next-business-day hardware replacement, and optional extended care packages. Firmware updates and security patches are routinely provided via HPE Support Center.

Global Availability and Logistics

HPE’s global supply chain ensures the availability of JQ074A units in all major regions. Spare parts, accessories, and compatible transceivers are also readily available through HPE-authorized distributors.

Transceiver and Cable Compatibility

The switch supports a wide range of optical and copper transceivers, including HPE-certified 10G/25G/40G/100G SFP+/SFP28/QSFP+/QSFP28 modules. DAC and AOC cables are also supported for cost-effective short-reach connectivity.