QK753A HPE SN6000B 16GB 48 Port Fibre Channel Switch

High-Performance Fibre Channel Switching for Enterprise Storage Networks

The QK753A HPE SN6000B 16Gb 48-port/24-port Active Fibre Channel Switch is a cornerstone for modern SAN (Storage Area Network) infrastructure, offering low latency, scalability, and unmatched reliability. As part of Hewlett Packard Enterprise's trusted networking solutions, this switch brings enterprise-class features tailored for mission-critical workloads, virtualized environments, and data-intensive applications.

Overview of the QK753A HPE SN6000B Switch

The HPE SN6000B is a Brocade-based fibre channel switch that supports up to 48 ports of 16Gbps Fibre Channel connectivity. Designed to provide agile scalability and high throughput, the switch is ideal for mid-size to large data centers, delivering flexibility through its pay-as-you-grow licensing model, with base configurations starting at 24 active ports.

Technical Capabilities of the SN6000B Platform

At the core of the SN6000B’s architecture is a high-speed ASIC capable of switching traffic at wire-speed across all ports simultaneously. This makes the switch exceptionally suited for workloads requiring consistent throughput and low latency—especially storage-based environments such as those using Fibre Channel SANs.

High-Speed Interconnects

With 16Gbps per port bandwidth, the SN6000B is engineered to handle escalating storage I/O demands in virtualized and cloud computing environments. This level of bandwidth is essential when managing high-performance storage arrays, particularly flash-based storage solutions.

Scalable Port Licensing Model

The switch includes 24 active ports out of the box. Additional ports can be enabled in increments through port-on-demand licensing, making it a flexible investment that grows with your infrastructure needs. This model allows businesses to deploy just what they need today while retaining the ability to scale quickly without hardware changes.

Deployment Scenarios and Use Cases

The SN6000B switch can be deployed in several network configurations depending on enterprise storage architecture. Whether it's a fabric-attached setup, core-edge design, or mesh topology, this switch adapts effortlessly.

Use Case: SAN Core or Edge Switch

In medium to large SAN environments, the SN6000B can serve either as a core switch aggregating connections from multiple edge switches or act as an edge switch connecting servers to storage arrays. Its compact 1U footprint makes it suitable for dense environments.

Use Case: Virtualized and Hyper-Converged Environments

With virtualization placing heavy demands on network throughput, the SN6000B's low latency and high-speed ports allow it to be optimally utilized in virtual server environments such as VMware vSphere, Microsoft Hyper-V, and Red Hat Virtualization.

Use Case: Mission-Critical Databases and Backup Solutions

Applications like Oracle Database, Microsoft SQL Server, SAP HANA, and enterprise-grade backup software require dependable and rapid data throughput. The SN6000B’s robust design and 16Gbps connectivity provide the reliability and speed these environments demand.

Advanced Management and Monitoring

Network administrators benefit from the SN6000B’s robust management features, including Brocade Web Tools, Brocade Network Advisor, CLI, and standard management protocols such as SNMP and SMI-S. These tools offer deep visibility into fabric performance and provide proactive health alerts.

Integration with Brocade Network Advisor

Using Brocade Network Advisor software, administrators can configure, monitor, and manage fabric operations. The platform supports zoning, performance management, firmware upgrades, and troubleshooting—all from a centralized interface.

Role-Based Access Control (RBAC)

For enhanced security and accountability, SN6000B supports RBAC, allowing different user roles to be assigned with distinct privilege levels. This ensures operational safety in large administrative teams.

Reliability and High Availability

Uptime is critical in enterprise environments, and the SN6000B is engineered for resiliency. Redundant hot-swappable power supplies and fans minimize service disruption. ISL (Inter-Switch Link) trunking and load balancing further enhance network reliability.

Redundant Architecture

Each switch includes dual power supplies and redundant cooling fans. These components are hot-swappable, meaning replacements can be performed without powering down the unit—a feature crucial for 24/7 data centers.

Failover and Path Redundancy

The switch supports features such as automatic path failover and load balancing using Fibre Channel’s native multipathing capabilities. This ensures high availability and resilience even during a component failure.

Compatibility with Storage Devices and Ecosystems

The SN6000B is certified for use with a wide range of enterprise storage solutions, including HPE 3PAR StoreServ, HPE Nimble, HPE Primera, and other third-party storage platforms like EMC, NetApp, and IBM. It also integrates smoothly into environments running backup, archiving, and disaster recovery solutions.

Multi-Vendor Interoperability

Brocade Fibre Channel switches are known for their interoperability across multi-vendor environments. The SN6000B supports heterogeneous SANs, ensuring seamless operation whether your infrastructure includes HPE, Cisco MDS, or other vendors.

Support for Virtual SANs

With the ability to segment Fibre Channel traffic into isolated virtual fabrics (VSANs), administrators can maintain security and traffic separation across various departments or applications, enhancing both performance and management.

Power Efficiency and Thermal Design

As energy efficiency becomes an operational priority, the SN6000B delivers with optimized power draw and smart cooling systems. The compact 1U design, paired with efficient airflow, supports green data center initiatives.

Power Requirements

The unit consumes less than 100 watts under normal operation, with dynamic adjustment based on traffic loads. This makes it one of the most energy-efficient fibre channel switches in its class.

Cooling and Ventilation

Front-to-rear airflow and thermal sensors enable intelligent fan speed control, reducing unnecessary energy usage while maintaining optimal thermal thresholds.

Security and Compliance Features

As security continues to play a pivotal role in data center planning, the SN6000B provides robust safeguards for data-in-transit and configuration integrity.

Data Integrity Mechanisms

Features such as Advanced Zoning, Fabric Binding, and Secure Fabric OS enforce traffic controls and prevent unauthorized access to fabric resources. Hardware-enforced zoning ensures that traffic flows only between authorized ports.

Standards Compliance

The switch complies with major regulatory and standards organizations, including RoHS, FCC Class A, CE Mark, UL, and IEC. It also supports FIPS-compliant SNMP and HTTPS communication for secure management.

Licensing Options and SKUs

The QK753A comes with 24 active ports and supports additional port activations via optional licenses. Common licenses include Port Activation License, Trunking License, and Fabric Vision License for advanced diagnostic and monitoring capabilities.

Upgrade Paths

Enterprises can scale from 24 to 48 ports as their environment expands. Other optional features include trunking support for combining multiple links and ISL compression/encryption for secure, high-performance inter-site connectivity.

Why Choose the HPE SN6000B?

The QK753A HPE SN6000B stands as a top-tier choice for data centers seeking robust SAN connectivity. Its rich feature set, investment protection through scalable licensing, and proven compatibility with major enterprise platforms make it a strategic asset for IT infrastructure.

Performance and Agility Combined

With 16Gbps speed across all ports, the SN6000B empowers enterprises to manage modern storage demands efficiently—whether it's high-speed flash, hybrid environments, or complex VM clusters.

Longevity and ROI

By supporting backward compatibility to 8Gb and 4Gb Fibre Channel devices, the SN6000B ensures a smooth transition to higher speeds while safeguarding previous investments. Its modular licensing strategy also enables progressive scaling without overcommitting resources upfront.

Related Switches and Network Components

• HPE SN3000B Fibre Channel Switch
• HPE SN6600B Multi-protocol Director
• HPE StoreFabric SFP+ 16Gb Shortwave Transceivers
• HPE StoreFabric Fibre Channel Host Bus Adapters