R3B00A HPE SN3700cM 100 GbE 32QSFP28 ONIE P2C Airflow DC Switch

HPE R3B00A SN3700cM DC Switch

The HPE R3B00A SN3700cM is a high-performance 100 Gigabit Ethernet switch engineered for modern data centers. With 32 QSFP28 ports, advanced Layer 3 management, and back-to-front airflow design, it ensures efficient cooling and reliable connectivity in demanding environments.

General Information

• Manufacturer: Hewlett Packard Enterprise (HPE)
• Model Number: R3B00A
• Device Type: Airflow DC Switch
• Form Factor: Rack-mountable 1U

Technical Specifications

Port Configuration

• Ports: 32 x 100 Gigabit QSFP28
• Subtype: 100 Gigabit Ethernet
• Device Type: Managed Layer 3 Switch

Performance Metrics

• Switching Capacity: 4.76 Bpps
• Latency: 425 ns
• Aggregate Throughput: 6.4 Tbps

Capacity & Support

• Jumbo Frame Size: 9216 bytes
• Groups Per System: 64
• Jumbo Frame Support: Yes

Routing & Protocols

Supported Routing Protocols

• BGP-4, BGP-MP
• IGMP
• OSPFv2
• PIM-SM, PIM-SSM
• ECMP

Remote Management Protocols

• SNMP v1, v2, v3
• Telnet
• TFTP
• SSH-2
• CLI
• SCP
• DHCP
• JSON
• LDAP

Advanced Features

Traffic & Flow Control

• IP Routing
• VLAN Support
• IGMP Snooping
• Port Mirroring
• Store and Forward
• IPv6 Support
• QoS and Flow Control

Resiliency & Security

• VRRP Support
• MSTP Support
• DCBX Support
• BFD, LACP, LLDP
• DHCP Relay
• VRF and Port Isolation
• Root Guard, Loop Guard
• BPDU Guard & Filter

Monitoring & Virtualization

• sFlow v5
• Cut-through Switching
• PTP (Precision Time Protocol)
• OpenFlow Support
• VXLAN, MLAG, RoCE v2
• EVPN, SDN Integration
• ERSPAN
• 42MB Packet Buffer

Compliance Standards

• IEEE 802.1Q (VLAN Tagging)
• IEEE 802.3x (Flow Control)
• IEEE 802.3ad (LACP)
• IEEE 802.1w (Rapid Spanning Tree)
• IEEE 802.1x (Port Authentication)
• IEEE 802.1s (MSTP)
• IEEE 802.1ab (LLDP)
• IEEE 802.1Qbb (Priority Flow Control)
• IEEE 802.1Qaz (Enhanced Transmission Selection)

Power & Cooling

• Power Source: DC
• Redundant Power: Yes
• Airflow: Back-to-front cooling design

High-Performance 100 Gigabit Ethernet Data Center Switching

The HPE R3B00A SN3700cM 100 Gigabit Ethernet 32 Ports QSFP28 ONIE P2C Airflow DC Switch represents a new generation of ultra-low latency, high-throughput data center networking designed for hyperscale environments, enterprise core layers, and high-density aggregation architectures. Built under the advanced networking portfolio of Hewlett Packard Enterprise, this model aligns with the powerful design principles of HPE and its high-performance switching ecosystem inspired by Mellanox technology.

As a 100GbE fixed-form factor switch with 32 QSFP28 ports, the SN3700cM delivers wire-speed performance across all interfaces, enabling organizations to deploy scalable spine-and-leaf topologies, software-defined data centers, hyper-converged infrastructures, and cloud-native environments. Its robust DC power design, port-to-cooling airflow direction, and ONIE support make it suitable for open networking deployments and programmable infrastructure strategies.

32-Port QSFP28 Architecture for Maximum Bandwidth Density

Optimized 100GbE Port Configuration

The 32 QSFP28 ports provide native 100 Gigabit Ethernet connectivity, offering up to 3.2 Tbps of aggregate switching capacity. Each QSFP28 interface supports high-speed data transmission across fiber and direct-attach copper cables, ensuring compatibility with a broad range of optical modules and breakout configurations. The platform supports flexible port splitting, enabling multiple 25GbE or 50GbE logical interfaces per QSFP28 port to accommodate evolving infrastructure requirements.

Flexible Breakout Capabilities

Data centers increasingly require adaptable port configurations to serve diverse workloads. The SN3700cM enables breakout options that allow a single 100GbE QSFP28 port to function as multiple lower-speed ports, facilitating cost-effective server connectivity and seamless integration with existing 25GbE or 50GbE network fabrics. This flexibility makes the switch ideal for phased migration from legacy 10GbE and 40GbE architectures to 100GbE deployments.

High-Density Spine and Leaf Topologies

In modern leaf-spine networks, high port density and non-blocking throughput are essential. The SN3700cM functions efficiently as either a leaf switch connecting high-performance servers or as a spine switch interconnecting multiple leaf nodes. Its deterministic latency and deep packet buffers ensure stable performance under east-west traffic patterns common in virtualized and containerized environments.

Open Networking Flexibility

Open Network Install Environment Integration

The inclusion of ONIE, the Open Network Install Environment, enables organizations to install and run compatible network operating systems of their choice. This flexibility empowers IT teams to adopt open networking models, reduce vendor lock-in, and deploy customized software stacks tailored to specific operational needs.

Software-Defined Networking Compatibility

The SN3700cM integrates seamlessly with software-defined networking controllers and automation frameworks. Its programmable architecture supports modern orchestration tools, enabling policy-based management, centralized provisioning, and automated configuration. This capability is particularly beneficial in large-scale cloud data centers and enterprise campus core networks.

Automation and DevOps Alignment

Automation-ready infrastructure is fundamental for digital transformation. The SN3700cM supports automation frameworks that facilitate zero-touch provisioning, configuration templating, and continuous network validation. By integrating with DevOps pipelines, the switch allows network teams to align infrastructure operations with agile development methodologies.

P2C Airflow Design for Optimized Thermal Management

Port-to-Cooling Airflow Efficiency

The P2C airflow design, meaning port-to-cooling airflow direction, ensures efficient heat dissipation aligned with modern data center rack layouts. Proper airflow management reduces thermal hotspots, improves hardware longevity, and contributes to overall energy efficiency. In high-density racks where multiple 100GbE switches operate simultaneously, optimized airflow is essential for maintaining consistent performance.

Data Center Rack Alignment

The airflow direction complements hot aisle and cold aisle containment strategies. By aligning airflow with rack orientation, the SN3700cM supports standardized cooling architectures in hyperscale and enterprise facilities. This ensures predictable thermal performance even under sustained high-throughput workloads.

Reduced Operational Costs

Efficient cooling not only protects hardware but also lowers operational expenditures. By minimizing energy consumption for cooling systems, organizations benefit from improved total cost of ownership while maintaining high network performance standards.

DC Power Supply for Mission-Critical Environments

Reliable Direct Current Power Architecture

The SN3700cM DC variant is designed for environments where direct current power distribution is standard, such as telecommunications facilities and carrier-grade data centers. DC power configurations enhance reliability and provide compatibility with established telecom infrastructure.

Redundant Power Options

Redundancy is a cornerstone of high-availability networking. The switch supports redundant power supply configurations to ensure uninterrupted operations during maintenance or unexpected power events. This resilience is crucial for mission-critical applications, financial trading systems, and real-time analytics platforms.

Enhanced Availability and Uptime

By incorporating DC power and redundancy mechanisms, the SN3700cM minimizes single points of failure. This design philosophy aligns with enterprise-grade availability standards and supports business continuity objectives.

Low Latency and High Throughput Switching Performance

Cut-Through Forwarding Technology

The switch leverages advanced cut-through forwarding to reduce latency to microsecond levels. Low latency is essential for high-frequency trading, AI training clusters, big data processing, and real-time application environments where milliseconds can impact performance outcomes.

Deep Packet Buffering

High-bandwidth applications often generate bursty traffic patterns. The SN3700cM includes substantial packet buffering capabilities to absorb traffic bursts without packet loss. This ensures stable throughput during peak demand and maintains consistent quality of service across workloads.

Non-Blocking Switching Fabric

The non-blocking architecture ensures that all ports can operate at full line rate simultaneously. This capability is particularly important in dense data center deployments where every server connection must maintain consistent performance regardless of network load.

Advanced Layer 2 and Layer 3 Capabilities

Comprehensive Routing and Switching Features

The SN3700cM supports extensive Layer 2 and Layer 3 functionalities, including VLAN segmentation, link aggregation, dynamic routing protocols, and multicast optimization. These capabilities enable flexible network segmentation and scalable routing within data center environments.

VXLAN and Overlay Networking

Modern data centers rely heavily on overlay technologies such as VXLAN for network virtualization. The SN3700cM supports encapsulation and decapsulation processes that facilitate tenant isolation and workload mobility across distributed environments.

ECMP for Traffic Optimization

Equal-Cost Multi-Path routing enhances load balancing across spine-leaf topologies. By distributing traffic evenly across multiple paths, the switch maximizes bandwidth utilization and prevents congestion.

Security and Network Protection Mechanisms

Robust Access Control and Segmentation

Security is fundamental in high-speed networking environments. The SN3700cM supports access control lists, secure management protocols, and traffic isolation mechanisms that protect sensitive workloads. Segmentation capabilities reduce attack surfaces and enforce compliance requirements.

Secure Management Interfaces

Encrypted management channels safeguard configuration data and administrative access. Secure protocols ensure that remote operations remain protected against unauthorized access attempts.

Ideal Use Cases for the HPE R3B00A SN3700cM

Hyperscale Data Centers

Large-scale cloud providers require consistent high-speed connectivity and scalability. The SN3700cM addresses these needs with its 100GbE density and programmable architecture.

Enterprise Core and Aggregation Layers

Enterprises deploying digital transformation initiatives benefit from the switch’s high throughput, redundancy options, and automation capabilities.

High-Performance Computing Clusters

HPC environments depend on low latency and massive bandwidth. The SN3700cM delivers deterministic performance suitable for AI, machine learning, and scientific computing workloads.

Scalability and Future-Ready Infrastructure

Seamless Expansion Capabilities

With support for breakout ports and scalable routing, the SN3700cM grows alongside organizational demands. Its open networking compatibility ensures adaptability to emerging technologies.

Investment Protection

By supporting multiple network operating systems and flexible configurations, the switch protects infrastructure investments and extends lifecycle value.

Alignment with Modern Cloud Architectures

The architecture supports microservices, container orchestration platforms, and distributed computing frameworks, ensuring compatibility with next-generation IT strategies.

Energy Efficiency and Sustainable Networking

Optimized Power Consumption

Despite delivering 3.2 Tbps switching capacity, the SN3700cM maintains optimized power efficiency. Efficient ASIC design and airflow engineering contribute to reduced environmental impact.

Data Center Sustainability Goals

Organizations striving for greener IT operations can integrate this high-efficiency switch into sustainability initiatives while maintaining superior performance metrics.