Q0U55A HPE Storefabric SN6600B 32GB 48 Ports Power Pack+ Fibre Channel Switch

Overview of the HPE StoreFabric SN6600B Fibre Channel Switch

The Q0U55A HPE StoreFabric SN6600B 32GB 48 Ports Power Pack+ Fibre Channel Switch is a cutting-edge solution engineered to meet the demands of modern data center environments. This high-performance switch is part of the broader HPE StoreFabric family, which provides enterprise-grade Fibre Channel networking with high throughput, low latency, and robust scalability. Designed to support critical business applications and storage environments, the SN6600B delivers superior performance, reliability, and efficiency in SAN infrastructures.

Purpose-Built for Next-Generation Storage Networking

The SN6600B is purpose-built to support the ever-growing demands of next-generation workloads and storage applications, including flash-based storage and hybrid cloud environments. With 32Gb Fibre Channel connectivity and up to 48 ports, this switch empowers businesses to deploy a scalable, future-ready storage network architecture that enables faster data access, reduced latency, and improved resource utilization.

Key Performance Specifications

• Port Speed: 32 Gbps line rate per port
• Ports: 48 SFP+ Fibre Channel ports
• Aggregate bandwidth: Up to 1536 Gbps (48 ports x 32 Gbps)
• Latency: Sub-microsecond latency for superior application performance
• Auto-negotiation for 16/32 Gbps Fibre Channel devices
• Non-blocking architecture with full line-rate on all ports

Comprehensive Port Configuration and Scalability

The SN6600B offers exceptional flexibility through its Power Pack+ license bundle and port scalability. Starting with a base set of activated ports, customers can easily scale up to 48 ports as their infrastructure grows. This "pay-as-you-grow" model ensures cost-effective expansion, without the need for a forklift upgrade. HPE’s optional port activation license packs allow seamless provisioning as demand increases.

Enterprise-Class Reliability and Resiliency

High availability is critical in enterprise storage networks, and the HPE SN6600B is built with redundancy and resilience in mind. Its architecture includes dual redundant, hot-swappable power supplies and fans, ensuring uninterrupted operation. Additionally, advanced diagnostics, self-healing mechanisms, and proactive error detection contribute to an ultra-reliable SAN fabric.

Key Reliability Features

• Hot-swappable FRUs (Field Replaceable Units)
• Dual redundant power supplies and cooling units
• ECC-protected memory and error-correcting features
• Fabric Watch and Advanced Performance Monitoring tools
• Integrated diagnostics and automated failover protocols

Power Pack+ Feature Suite for Enhanced SAN Intelligence

The included Power Pack+ license adds a suite of advanced software capabilities designed to optimize SAN performance, simplify management, and enhance security. These features are ideal for organizations looking to automate SAN provisioning, gain deep visibility into traffic patterns, and strengthen fabric security.

Advanced Software Licenses Included

• Fabric Vision Technology: Enables proactive monitoring, diagnostics, and advanced network intelligence
• Advanced Zoning: Improves SAN security and operational efficiency with flexible zoning mechanisms
• ISL Trunking: Aggregates bandwidth across inter-switch links for improved performance and redundancy
• Extended Fabric: Supports long-distance SAN extension
• Server Application Optimization (SAO): Aligns application workloads to network traffic profiles

Benefits of Fabric Vision

With Fabric Vision, administrators gain unprecedented visibility and control over SAN traffic. Features like Monitoring and Alerting Policy Suite (MAPS) and Flow Vision help identify and resolve issues before they impact performance, reducing downtime and increasing SLA compliance.

Ideal Use Cases for SN6600B Fibre Channel Switch

The SN6600B is designed for a wide range of SAN deployment scenarios, from small enterprise data centers to large-scale, mission-critical environments. Its flexibility and performance make it suitable for various workloads, including:

• Flash storage networks requiring ultra-low latency
• Mission-critical applications such as ERP, database, and VDI
• Backup and recovery operations with high throughput demands
• Private and hybrid cloud environments
• Enterprise virtualization infrastructure and hyper-converged storage

Compatibility with Storage Vendors

HPE StoreFabric SN6600B is validated with a wide ecosystem of storage and server vendors. It integrates seamlessly with HPE 3PAR, Nimble Storage, and Primera storage arrays, as well as third-party solutions from Dell EMC, NetApp, IBM, and Pure Storage. Its Fibre Channel standards compliance ensures broad interoperability.

Certified Compatibility Highlights

• HPE Primera and Alletra arrays
• HPE 3PAR StoreServ
• HPE Nimble Storage systems
• VMware, Microsoft Hyper-V, and Linux virtualization platforms
• Brocade-compatible Fibre Channel devices

Scalable Management and Configuration Options

The SN6600B supports centralized and simplified management through tools like HPE SANnav Management Software and Brocade Network Advisor. These platforms provide GUI-based configuration, real-time traffic visualization, device discovery, firmware upgrades, zoning, and port status monitoring.

Key Management Capabilities

• Web Tools and CLI for real-time monitoring and control
• SNMPv3 support for secure network management
• Role-Based Access Control (RBAC)
• Support for REST APIs for automation and integration with external systems
• Telemetry and analytics through HPE SANnav

Ease of Deployment and Configuration

Deploying the SN6600B is streamlined by its intuitive GUI interfaces and automated configuration scripts. Predefined templates and configuration wizards accelerate initial setup, while zoning tools and performance monitoring dashboards provide ongoing optimization. Built-in diagnostics help streamline troubleshooting and ensure fabric health.

Security and Compliance in Fibre Channel SANs

The SN6600B Power Pack+ model includes a robust security framework designed to protect data integrity and prevent unauthorized access. Features such as Digital Certificate Authentication, Secure Boot, and DH-CHAP authentication ensure compliance with stringent IT security policies.

Security Features Overview

• Secure Fabric OS with role-based access control
• Switch-to-switch and switch-to-host DH-CHAP authentication
• Secure FTP and HTTPS for management interfaces
• Audit logs and configuration change tracking
• FIPS-compliant cryptographic modules

Protection Against Unauthorized Access

Built-in zoning and access control mechanisms allow administrators to isolate traffic between devices, enforce multi-tenant policies, and limit visibility within the fabric. These capabilities are crucial in multi-site deployments and cloud-based SAN topologies.

Environmental and Power Efficiency

As part of HPE’s commitment to sustainability, the SN6600B is designed with power-efficient components and intelligent fan control. It reduces power consumption through adaptive link speed negotiation and component-level power management, helping organizations lower operational costs and meet green IT objectives.

Energy-Saving Features

• Dynamic fan speed control for optimal airflow and noise reduction
• Intelligent power supply load sharing
• Temperature-aware performance tuning
• Power down of unused ports
• Low-power SFP+ transceiver support

Data Center Sustainability Benefits

With lower heat generation and energy demands, the SN6600B reduces the cooling burden in dense data centers. Its compact form factor and modular design further contribute to environmentally friendly infrastructure strategies.

Deployment Architecture and Fabric Design

The SN6600B fits seamlessly into both core and edge Fibre Channel SAN architectures. It can serve as a high-performance edge switch in large fabrics or a core switch in smaller SANs. Its flexible configuration options support trunking, multi-pathing, and virtual fabrics, enabling highly available, scalable environments.

Support for Virtual SANs and NPIV

The SN6600B supports key features like N_Port ID Virtualization (NPIV), which allows multiple logical nodes to share a single physical Fibre Channel port. This is essential in virtualized data center environments where flexibility and port optimization are key.

Virtual Fabric Advantages

• Logical separation of traffic within a single physical fabric
• Improved performance through traffic isolation
• Enhanced security by isolating tenant workloads
• Simplified troubleshooting and fabric segmentation

Maintenance, Support, and Lifecycle Management

HPE backs the SN6600B with enterprise-grade support and firmware updates. Customers can choose from various support levels including 24x7 on-site assistance, proactive monitoring, and replacement services. Tools like HPE InfoSight offer predictive analytics that identify issues before they cause downtime.

Support and Warranty

• Standard 1-year limited warranty with extensions available
• HPE Foundation Care and Proactive Care support options
• HPE InfoSight for predictive support and AI-driven insights
• Lifecycle management tools for firmware and hardware refresh planning

Reducing Downtime through Predictive Analytics

HPE InfoSight integrates with the SN6600B to collect telemetry and usage data. This enables IT teams to proactively identify hardware anomalies, bottlenecks, or misconfigurations, allowing for rapid remediation and uninterrupted operations.

Additional Benefits of the Q0U55A SN6600B

• Plug-and-play compatibility with existing Fibre Channel infrastructure
• Highly modular design simplifies upgrades and repairs
• Integrated management tools support automation and orchestration
• Proven performance in storage-intensive environments
• High port density for maximum space and resource efficiency

The HPE Fibre Channel Switches

HPE has a long-standing reputation for delivering enterprise networking solutions that align with data center modernization goals. With the SN6600B, businesses benefit from best-in-class Fibre Channel technology, reliable OEM support, and long-term investment protection through software-defined upgrades and feature extensibility.