R6R26A HPE SN4600cM L3 Managed 64 x 100 Gigabit Switch

HPE R6R26A SN4600cM L3 Managed 64 x 100 Gigabit QSFP28 Back To Front Airflow Rack-mountable Switch Overview

The HPE R6R26A SN4600cM is a high-performance, enterprise-grade Layer 3 managed switch designed for modern data centers, cloud infrastructures, and high-density networking environments. With 64 ports of 100 Gigabit Ethernet QSFP28 connectivity, this model delivers exceptional throughput, low latency, and advanced network management features, ensuring seamless integration into contemporary enterprise networks. Featuring a back-to-front airflow design, this rack-mountable switch offers efficient cooling for densely packed server rooms and network cabinets, making it a valuable asset for enterprises demanding uncompromised network performance.

Key Features of the HPE R6R26A SN4600cM L3 Managed Switch

High-Density 100GbE Connectivity

The SN4600cM model is equipped with 64 QSFP28 ports, each capable of delivering 100Gbps data transfer rates. It provides enterprises with the flexibility to support various high-speed connections, including 40GbE and 100GbE transceivers and direct-attach cables (DACs). This versatility ensures compatibility with existing network infrastructures while enabling seamless scaling for future growth.

Advanced Layer 3 Networking Capabilities

As a Layer 3 managed switch, the HPE SN4600cM supports advanced routing protocols such as OSPF, BGP, and IS-IS, enabling dynamic routing, policy-based routing, and enhanced network segmentation. These capabilities are critical for large-scale data centers and enterprise environments that require dynamic path selection and optimized traffic management.

Back-to-Front Airflow for Optimized Cooling

The back-to-front airflow configuration is engineered for data center environments where hot-aisle/cold-aisle layouts are implemented. This airflow direction ensures that hot air is expelled towards the rear of the rack, maintaining optimal cooling efficiency and reducing the risk of overheating within dense network cabinets.

Rack-Mountable Design and Compact Footprint

Designed for high-density deployments, the R6R26A SN4600cM features a standard 1U rack-mountable form factor. Its compact footprint allows for efficient space utilization in enterprise network racks while providing extensive port density and performance per rack unit.

Performance and Throughput

Exceptional Switching Capacity

With a switching capacity of up to 12.8 Tbps and a forwarding rate of 9.5 Bpps (billion packets per second), the HPE SN4600cM ensures ultra-fast data transfer and minimal latency for mission-critical applications. This high-performance switch is designed to handle demanding workloads, such as virtualization, cloud services, and high-performance computing (HPC) environments.

Ultra-Low Latency

The switch is optimized for ultra-low latency operations, a crucial requirement for financial services, telecommunications, and cloud service providers. By reducing network latency, it ensures rapid data exchanges and improves overall application performance across distributed environments.

QSFP28 Port Versatility

Support for Breakout Cables

The HPE SN4600cM’s QSFP28 ports offer versatility through breakout capabilities, allowing each 100GbE port to be split into multiple 25GbE or 50GbE connections using compatible breakout cables. This provides granular bandwidth allocation, enabling administrators to optimize network resources according to specific application and service requirements.

Interoperability with Transceivers and DACs

The switch is compatible with a wide range of HPE and third-party QSFP28 transceivers, including 100GBASE-SR4, 100GBASE-LR4, and 100GBASE-ER4 modules. Additionally, it supports passive and active direct-attach copper cables (DACs) and active optical cables (AOCs), ensuring seamless interoperability in mixed vendor environments.

Comprehensive Network Management Features

Centralized Management and Automation

The SN4600cM integrates with HPE’s network management platforms such as HPE Aruba Fabric Composer and Aruba Central, offering centralized control and automation capabilities. These tools simplify deployment, configuration, monitoring, and troubleshooting of network infrastructures, minimizing operational overhead and improving agility.

Support for Open Networking Standards

Designed with interoperability in mind, the switch supports open networking standards and protocols, allowing integration into heterogeneous network environments. It includes support for VXLAN, EVPN, RDMA over Converged Ethernet (RoCE), and SR-IOV, providing extensive flexibility for modern data center architectures.

Extensive Security Features

Enterprise networks demand robust security measures, and the HPE R6R26A delivers with features such as Access Control Lists (ACLs), 802.1x Network Access Control (NAC), secure SNMP, and SSH encryption. These security measures protect sensitive data, regulate network access, and safeguard against external threats and unauthorized access.

Applications and Use Cases

Enterprise Data Centers

The HPE SN4600cM is ideal for high-density data center environments, supporting large-scale virtualization, cloud computing, and multi-tenant architectures. Its high port density, advanced routing capabilities, and efficient airflow make it a cornerstone of reliable and scalable data center networking solutions.

Cloud Service Providers (CSPs)

Cloud providers benefit from the switch’s high throughput, low latency, and automation-ready features, enabling them to deliver scalable and resilient cloud services. The flexibility of breakout capabilities and support for open networking protocols enhances its suitability for dynamic, multi-cloud, and hybrid cloud infrastructures.

High-Performance Computing (HPC) Environments

HPC clusters rely on ultra-fast, low-latency connections to facilitate parallel computing and data analysis workloads. The HPE R6R26A’s high port count, exceptional throughput, and RoCE support make it a preferred choice for scientific research institutions, financial trading platforms, and AI-driven data analytics environments.

Reliability and Redundancy

Hot-Swappable Components

The switch features hot-swappable power supplies and fan modules, allowing maintenance and upgrades without service disruptions. This ensures continuous network availability and simplifies infrastructure management in mission-critical environments.

Redundant Power Supply Units (PSUs)

The inclusion of dual redundant PSUs protects against power failures, ensuring uninterrupted operation and preventing costly downtime. The switch supports automatic failover mechanisms, enhancing operational resilience and business continuity.

Compatibility and Expansion Options

Transceivers and Cable Support

The HPE R6R26A SN4600cM accommodates a comprehensive selection of optical and copper transceivers, ensuring compatibility with diverse networking scenarios. Supported modules include 100GBASE-SR4, 100GBASE-LR4, 100GBASE-ER4, and a range of DAC and AOC options for short and long-distance connections.

Breakout Cable Configurations

Network administrators can deploy breakout cables to partition individual 100GbE ports into 4 x 25GbE or 2 x 50GbE connections. This flexibility optimizes port utilization and enables scalable connectivity for servers, storage arrays, and other high-performance networking devices.

Energy Efficiency and Environmental Considerations

Back-to-Front Airflow for Cooling Optimization

The SN4600cM’s back-to-front airflow pattern aligns with hot-aisle/cold-aisle containment strategies, enhancing data center cooling efficiency. This reduces overall energy consumption by preventing hot air recirculation and minimizing the load on HVAC systems.

Low-Power Operation

Despite its high port density and advanced capabilities, the switch maintains a low power consumption profile, contributing to reduced operational expenses and environmental impact. Its efficient power management features ensure reliable performance without unnecessary energy waste.