R3B05-63001 HPE M-series 100GBE 32 Ports QSFP28 Switch

HPE R3B05-63001 M-Series100GBE Data Center-Grade Switch

The HPE R3B05-63001 M-series SN2745M 100GbE switch stands as a high-performance, carrier-class networking solution tailored for data centers and high-bandwidth environments. Featuring 32 QSFP28 ports, each delivering 100 Gigabits per second of throughput, this 1U switch offers extraordinary switching capacity with minimal latency. Its powerful 6.4 Terabits per second of aggregate bandwidth ensures seamless packet forwarding across complex workloads, virtualization layers, and modern cloud infrastructure.

Core Attributes

• Brand: HPE
• Part Number: R3B05-63001
• Port Configuration: 32x QSFP28 100GbE
• Aggregate Throughput: 6.4Tbps of switching bandwidth
• Software Support: ONYX and ONIE compatible
• Cooling Direction: Airflow: Power side to connector side
• Installation Form: Compact 1U rackmount design
• Encryption: Not equipped with native encryption features

High-Speed 100GbE Performance

Each of the 32 QSFP28 ports on this switch delivers 100 Gigabits per second of line-rate performance. This supports bandwidth-intensive applications such as artificial intelligence workloads, storage networks, high-frequency trading systems, and multi-tenant cloud deployments. The robust design ensures reliable wire-speed packet forwarding even under maximum load.

Line-Rate Switching Across All Ports

All ports operate simultaneously at full speed, delivering 3.2 billion packets per second. This allows for ultra-low latency, consistent throughput, and deterministic performance regardless of the traffic pattern.

6.4Tbps Total Bandwidth Capacity

The HPE SN2745M features an industry-leading 6.4 Terabits per second aggregate bandwidth capacity. Whether you're building a leaf-spine architecture or deploying in a hyperscale cloud setup, this massive bandwidth headroom ensures future-proof scalability and top-tier performance.

Physical Design and Installation Options

Compact 1U Rack Form Factor

Built with data center density in mind, the SN2745M switch features a 1U form factor that conserves valuable rack space while maximizing port density. Its slim profile allows for optimal airflow and cable management in high-density server environments.

Front-to-Back Airflow Cooling

This switch employs a power-to-connector airflow design, ideal for data center cooling patterns. This thermal configuration aligns with standard server airflow to maintain optimal internal temperatures and reduce hot spot buildup.

Power Side to Connector Side Ventilation

The directional airflow ensures that heat is efficiently expelled from the power supply side toward the QSFP28 port side, maintaining thermal balance throughout deployment.

Flexible Software Ecosystem and OS Compatibility

ONIE Bootloader Support

The HPE R3B05-63001 is compliant with ONIE (Open Network Install Environment), an open-source boot loader designed for automated installation of network OS images. This makes it easier to deploy third-party software solutions, enhancing agility in software-defined environments.

Onyx Operating System Optionality

Onyx, the advanced operating system optionally supported on this switch, provides robust Layer 2 and Layer 3 switching capabilities, advanced telemetry, quality of service (QoS), and extensive automation support. It enables granular control of traffic flows and enhances network orchestration.

Layer 2 and Layer 3 Networking Features

• VLAN tagging and port isolation for secure segmentation
• Spanning Tree Protocol (STP) and Rapid STP for loop prevention
• Dynamic routing support including OSPF and BGP
• Static routing configuration for predictable traffic management

Advanced Monitoring and Automation

With telemetry capabilities and integration with automation frameworks like Ansible and Puppet, network operators can streamline provisioning and monitor performance metrics in real time.

Applications Across Enterprise and Service Provider Environments

Cloud-Scale Network Fabrics

The SN2745M is a natural fit for cloud-scale leaf-spine architectures, allowing high-throughput communication between nodes in microservices-based infrastructures. With each 100GbE port supporting breakout into 4x 25GbE, it offers flexible topology building.

High-Density Edge Deployments

At the edge of the network, where data flows into the core from IoT devices and user endpoints, the 100GbE speed and high packet throughput help ensure low latency and reliable data delivery.

Storage Connectivity and Hyperconverged Infrastructure

The high-bandwidth ports are ideal for connecting to NVMe storage arrays or iSCSI SANs, ensuring high-speed, low-latency communication. This switch also supports the demands of hyperconverged infrastructure (HCI) environments that merge storage and compute on the same fabric.

Support for RDMA and Lossless Ethernet

For applications requiring low-latency direct memory access over Ethernet, this switch is suitable for RDMA deployments with its high-speed ports and ONYX support for lossless features such as Priority Flow Control (PFC).

Reliability, Serviceability, and Environmental Considerations

Redundant Power and Cooling

Designed for enterprise-grade uptime, the SN2745M supports dual redundant power supplies and hot-swappable fans, ensuring continuous operation even during maintenance or component failure.

Power Efficiency and Thermal Optimization

Despite its high throughput, the switch operates with optimized power draw, suitable for energy-conscious deployments. It is engineered for low thermal output and operates reliably in varying environmental conditions.

Environmentally Compliant Build

• Complies with RoHS standards
• Designed for reduced electromagnetic interference
• Built for efficient lifecycle recyclability

Unique Benefits That Enhance Operational Value

Open Networking and Vendor Flexibility

The ONIE bootloader support offers open hardware flexibility, allowing administrators to deploy different network operating systems based on specific requirements. This freedom enhances vendor neutrality and fosters innovation in infrastructure design.

Scalability and Investment Protection

With 32x 100GbE ports capable of breakout into 64x 50GbE or 128x 25GbE configurations using QSFP28 DAC or AOC cables, the SN2745M offers unmatched investment protection and future scalability options.

Cost Efficiency in High-Performance Deployments

Despite its advanced specifications, the HPE R3B05-63001 switch delivers a compelling total cost of ownership (TCO), particularly in environments requiring large-scale interconnectivity, automation, and dense traffic flows.

Summary of Key Functional Gains

• Ultra-fast 100GbE switching with support for diverse workloads
• Support for open networking and OS diversity
• Industry-standard management and automation capabilities
• High-efficiency cooling and compact 1U profile
• Robust compatibility with HPE ecosystem and third-party deployments

Enterprise Data Center Switches for High-Speed Networking

The R3B05-63001 HPE M-series SN2745M 100GbE 32 Ports QSFP28 ONIE Power to Connector Airflow DC Switch represents a next-generation advancement in high-performance data center networking. Positioned within HPE’s M-series of data center switches, this model is specifically designed for modern workloads that demand ultra-low latency, high throughput, and flexible scalability. The switch supports a dense 32-port configuration, enabling efficient 100 Gigabit Ethernet connectivity using QSFP28 transceivers, tailored for spine-and-leaf architectures, hyperscale data centers, and cloud environments.

High-Density 100GbE Networking with QSFP28

QSFP28 technology empowers this HPE M-series switch with 100GbE port density that maximizes network performance without compromising space or efficiency. The 32 QSFP28 ports support multiple link configurations, including 4x25GbE breakout options, enabling flexible deployment in mixed environments. Enterprises can utilize these ports to interconnect high-speed storage, compute, and virtualization clusters across spine-leaf fabrics with optimal throughput.

Port Density and Scalability

The SN2745M switch’s 1U form factor packs 32 high-speed 100GbE ports in a compact chassis, supporting up to 6.4 Tbps of switching capacity. Such port density allows enterprises to scale east-west and north-south traffic paths effortlessly, aligning with modern multi-tiered network designs. As a layer 2/3 switch, the device integrates seamlessly into data center topologies demanding extensive bandwidth and low latency.

Breakout Capabilities

Each QSFP28 port can be logically split into four individual 25GbE connections using breakout cables, increasing the total number of logical interfaces up to 128. This capability enhances deployment versatility across access, aggregation, or spine tiers, maximizing investment protection and futureproofing network architecture.

Open Networking with ONIE and OS Flexibility

The inclusion of ONIE (Open Network Install Environment) provides a vendor-neutral foundation for installing compatible network operating systems. This open networking approach aligns with disaggregated infrastructure trends, allowing businesses to select the NOS that aligns best with their operational goals. The R3B05-63001 model supports operating systems such as Cumulus Linux, SONiC, and others endorsed by HPE or third parties.

Disaggregated Networking Benefits

Disaggregation empowers enterprises with flexibility, cost savings, and agility. With ONIE preloaded, users can deploy a variety of software packages that emphasize automation, telemetry, and modern protocols like EVPN/VXLAN. This flexibility contrasts traditional switches with fixed operating environments, providing greater control over network behavior and optimization.

Compatibility and Interoperability

The SN2745M is engineered for seamless interoperability with leading data center platforms, software-defined networking controllers, and orchestration layers. Open APIs and standards-based interfaces ensure compatibility with DevOps workflows and cloud-native infrastructure.

Advanced Performance for Data-Intensive Applications

With a non-blocking architecture and ultra-low latency switching performance, the SN2745M is ideal for latency-sensitive applications such as high-frequency trading (HFT), AI/ML workloads, and big data analytics. Its deep packet buffers and deterministic latency profiles ensure consistent and predictable network behavior even under peak traffic conditions.

Switching Performance Metrics

• Switching capacity: 6.4 Tbps
• Forwarding rate: 4.76 billion packets per second (Bpps)
• Latency: Sub-microsecond for 100GbE packets
• MAC address table size: Up to 512K
• Buffer memory: Up to 42MB shared

Support for Network Virtualization

VXLAN support enables seamless integration with virtualized overlay networks, allowing isolation of tenant traffic across a scalable, Layer 2 over Layer 3 topology. Combined with EVPN control plane support, the switch enhances network segmentation, load balancing, and mobility in cloud-scale environments.

Airflow and Power Optimization

The R3B05-63001 model features a power-to-connector airflow (front-to-back), ideal for data centers with hot-aisle/cold-aisle thermal designs. This airflow alignment improves cooling efficiency and equipment lifespan by ensuring predictable temperature gradients and preventing air recirculation.

DC Power Efficiency

Designed for direct current (DC) power environments, this switch caters to energy-conscious operations or data centers using renewable energy sources. Power supply redundancy and energy-efficient hardware components reduce operating costs while increasing system resilience.

Enterprise Use Cases and Deployment Scenarios

The SN2745M 100GbE switch serves diverse deployment scenarios across hyperscale, enterprise, and service provider environments. It is particularly well-suited for:

• High-performance spine-leaf architectures
• Storage area networking (SAN) backbones
• Cloud-native data center fabrics
• Edge data aggregation nodes
• AI/ML cluster interconnects

Integration with HPE ProLiant and Apollo Platforms

Optimized for integration with HPE compute platforms such as ProLiant Gen10/Gen11 and Apollo systems, this switch simplifies end-to-end infrastructure alignment. Fabric-level visibility, automation tools, and predictive analytics extend operational control across network and compute layers.

Security, Telemetry, and Automation Features

Advanced Layer 2 and Layer 3 security features safeguard critical infrastructure from internal and external threats. MACsec support, access control lists (ACLs), role-based access control (RBAC), and secure boot ensure secure operation in multi-tenant or high-compliance environments.

Real-Time Telemetry and Analytics

Deep telemetry integration offers real-time traffic insights, enabling proactive fault detection and capacity planning. Streaming telemetry protocols like gNMI, Inband Network Telemetry (INT), and sFlow help organizations monitor network health, application performance, and congestion hotspots.

Automation and DevOps Integration

Native support for automation frameworks such as Ansible, Chef, and Puppet accelerates deployment and configuration. Intent-based networking capabilities reduce human error, speed up time-to-value, and align with infrastructure-as-code practices.

Hardware Design and Environmental Specifications

Engineered with enterprise-grade components, the SN2745M switch balances performance with environmental resilience. The rugged chassis, redundant fans, and hot-swappable power supplies ensure minimal downtime and maximum uptime for mission-critical workloads.

Key Hardware Specifications

• Form factor: 1U rackmount
• Ports: 32 x 100GbE QSFP28
• Airflow: Front-to-back (power to connector)
• Power: Dual redundant DC power supplies
• Cooling: Redundant variable-speed fans
• Operating temperature: 0°C to 45°C
• Weight: Approx. 10.5 kg

Futureproofing Your Data Center Fabric

As enterprises increasingly adopt hybrid cloud strategies, 100GbE networking forms the backbone of scalable, software-defined infrastructures. The R3B05-63001 HPE SN2745M delivers on performance, openness, and reliability—futureproofing investments with support for next-gen network demands such as AI/ML, containerized workloads, and NVMe over Fabrics (NVMe-oF).

Software-Defined Networking (SDN) Readiness

Native SDN capabilities allow for dynamic policy enforcement and real-time network reconfiguration. Whether used in conjunction with VMware NSX, OpenDaylight, or HPE's own software stack, the SN2745M offers comprehensive support for modern software-driven architectures.

Cloud and Edge Readiness

From core to edge, this switch can operate in high-density core fabrics as well as edge aggregation points. Its small form factor, high throughput, and energy efficiency make it an attractive solution for edge computing environments requiring robust Layer 2/3 capabilities.