R3B06-63001 HPE Sn2100m 100GBE 16QSFP28 Switch

Detailed Insight into HPE R3B06-63001100GbE Switch

Comprehensive Technical Overview

• Manufacturer: HPE
• Product ID: R3B06-63001
• Hardware Profile: 1U half-width chassis
• Interface Standard: Ethernet protocol
• Port Type: QSFP28
• Power Design: DC-powered with airflow from power to connector
• Encryption Capability: No integrated encryption
• Unit Mass: Approx. 10 lb / 4.53 kg
• Physical Dimensions: 1.72 x 7.87 x 20 inches (4.39 x 20 x 50.8 cm)

High-Speed Networking and Throughput Capacity

The HPE R3B06-63001 Sn2100m switch delivers an exceptionally high data throughput with its 100GbE ports, optimized for ultra-low latency applications. Each QSFP28 interface supports a blazing 100 Gbps link speed, ideal for dense data centers, cloud infrastructure, and enterprise networking cores.

Advanced Bandwidth Capabilities

With a staggering 3.2 Tbps of total switching capacity, this unit effortlessly manages high-volume traffic across multiple nodes. This level of aggregate throughput ensures non-blocking performance under heavy load scenarios.

Configurable Port Utilization

The Sn2100m offers 16 physical ports, of which 8 are initially active. The remaining ports can be enabled through the purchase of an additional software license (HPE SN2100M 100GbE 8-Port Upgrade E-LTU - Q2M94AAE), allowing scalable deployment that aligns with network growth.

Expandable and Modular Software Options

Required and Optional Software Packages

This switch is designed to operate using ONIE (Open Network Install Environment) and Onyx, HPE's high-performance, feature-rich NOS. Together, these ensure seamless OS deployment, high configuration flexibility, and simplified device orchestration.

Optional Enhancement

Users may opt for the SN2100M 8-port license upgrade to expand port availability, increasing connectivity as business demands evolve.

Resiliency and Enterprise-Class Reliability

Built-In High Availability Features

• Hot-swappable redundant power supply options
• Scalable port expansion through upgrade licenses
• Robust airflow design optimized for power-to-connector environments

These capabilities ensure that the switch remains operational under critical conditions and supports future-proof network scalability.

Optimal Physical Design and Deployment Flexibility

Compact Structure for Efficient Rack Utilization

Featuring a 1U half-width form factor, the HPE R3B06-63001 easily fits into dense rack setups, maximizing data center real estate without sacrificing performance. It’s especially suitable for edge, top-of-rack (ToR), or middle-of-row (MoR) deployments.

DC-Powered with Directional Cooling

Engineered for airflow that travels from the power side to the connector side, this switch supports modern thermal management designs and contributes to energy efficiency in hot aisle/cold aisle layouts.

Flash-Enabled OS Upgradability

The R3B06-63001 includes flash memory that facilitates seamless software upgrades. This design minimizes downtime during OS refresh cycles and streamlines management tasks, especially during patching and version upgrades.

Key Benefits of the HPE Sn2100m100GbE Switch

Core Advantages

• Ultra-high-speed networking: Supports next-gen workloads with 100 Gbps per port
• Expandable architecture: Activate 8 additional ports when needed
• Compact footprint: Ideal for environments with limited space
• Flexible software environment: Compatible with ONIE and Onyx
• Data center-ready airflow: Efficient thermal management with front-to-back design
• Redundancy support: Dual PSU configuration boosts fault tolerance

Ideal Use Cases

Cloud Computing Infrastructure

Designed for hyperscale and hybrid cloud deployments, this switch delivers the performance needed for east-west traffic and virtualization environments.

High-Performance Computing (HPC)

For environments running high-speed analytics, AI, or simulation applications, the Sn2100m provides ultra-low latency and exceptional packet handling efficiency.

Service Provider Networks

Telcos and ISPs can rely on its consistent performance to deliver high-bandwidth services, reduce jitter, and ensure high availability in their backbones or metro access layers.

Port Architecture and Media Support

Interface Technology

Leveraging QSFP28 optical interfaces, the switch offers high-density media support for both short-range (SR) and long-range (LR) fiber connectivity. It provides flexibility across varying data center topologies.

Media Options

• QSFP28 transceivers for SR/LR links
• DAC cables for short-distance, low-latency connections
• Optical breakout cables (4x25GbE) for expanded port functionality

Flexible Deployment Configurations

Whether deployed in top-of-rack designs or spine-leaf architectures, the HPE SN2745M easily adapts to the network’s evolving needs. With advanced L2/L3 capabilities (via Onyx), it supports a wide range of data traffic policies and routing strategies.

Licensing and Expandability

Port Licensing Model

This switch is sold with 8 active ports by default. The remaining 8 ports can be enabled via a license key, ensuring that investment aligns with usage requirements.

Upgrade Software

The HPE SN2100M 100GbE 8-Port Upgrade E-LTU (Q2M94AAE) is the designated license to unlock full 16-port operation, transforming the switch into a fully active, high-density interconnect device.

Compliance and Standards

Environmental and Operational Specifications

• Weight: Approximately 4.53 kg (10 lb)
• Form Factor: 1U, half-width enclosure
• Dimensions: 1.72" H x 7.87" W x 20" D (4.39 x 20 x 50.8 cm)

Designed for Longevity

Built to meet enterprise-grade durability standards, this HPE network switch is tested under rigorous conditions for temperature, humidity, vibration, and thermal shock, ensuring stable operation in demanding environments.

High-Performance Switching with HPE SN2100M 100GbE

The R3B06-63001 HPE SN2100M 100GbE 16QSFP28 ONIE Connector to Power Airflow Switch is engineered to meet the modern data center's stringent demands. With 16 ports of 100GbE QSFP28 connectivity, this switch provides superior performance, compact design, and versatile networking capabilities. Designed for deployment in environments requiring high throughput and scalability, it is ideal for enterprise data centers, high-performance computing (HPC) clusters, and cloud infrastructure environments.

Compact Design and Space Optimization

The HPE SN2100M is a half-width, 1U switch that enables side-by-side installation of two switches in a standard 1U rack space, effectively doubling port density per rack unit. This design significantly reduces the data center footprint while maintaining optimal airflow and cable management. The power airflow direction in this switch supports front-to-back air movement, suitable for hot-aisle and cold-aisle containment setups.

Front-to-Back Airflow for Efficient Cooling

With its power airflow configuration, the R3B06-63001 switch ensures that hot air is expelled from the rear while cold air enters from the front. This thermal design aligns with typical data center airflow patterns, improving cooling efficiency and system reliability over time. Front-to-back airflow helps maintain stable operating temperatures, reducing thermal-related failures and enhancing overall hardware longevity.

High Bandwidth Through QSFP28 Interfaces

The HPE SN2100M offers 16 QSFP28 ports, each supporting up to 100GbE of bandwidth. These high-speed ports are backward compatible with 40GbE and can be split into multiple lower-speed connections for greater deployment flexibility. This makes the switch suitable for a variety of topologies, including spine-leaf architectures, storage area networking (SAN), and converged infrastructure.

Flexible Port Configuration

Each QSFP28 port supports breakout functionality, allowing a single 100GbE port to split into four 25GbE connections using breakout cables. This capability provides granular scalability and is ideal for edge aggregation, VM cluster connections, and storage node interlinking. With support for mixed-speed connectivity, enterprises can transition from legacy infrastructure to modern high-speed networking incrementally.

ONIE Support for Open Networking

The switch is pre-loaded with ONIE (Open Network Install Environment), a bootloader that allows the installation of various network operating systems (NOS). This open approach gives IT administrators the freedom to choose from leading NOS platforms such as Cumulus Linux, SONiC, or Mellanox MLNX-OS. Open networking significantly reduces vendor lock-in, empowering organizations to build cost-effective, agile networks tailored to their specific operational models.

Advantages of ONIE Integration

• Vendor-agnostic operating system deployment
• Rapid provisioning with automated NOS installation
• Support for scripting and DevOps integration
• Improved control over software features and updates

Enterprise-Grade Performance and Reliability

The R3B06-63001 SN2100M delivers ultra-low latency and consistent throughput, essential for applications that demand real-time data access and high-speed interconnectivity. It supports advanced networking protocols, including VXLAN, EVPN, RoCEv2, and more, enabling robust Layer 2 and Layer 3 functionality within modern enterprise networks.

Data Center Class Performance Metrics

With switching capacity of up to 3.2 Tbps and a forwarding rate of 2.38 Bpps, this HPE SN2100M model ensures congestion-free communication across data center nodes. It is capable of sustaining large volumes of east-west traffic between servers and storage arrays with negligible latency, making it ideal for big data analytics, distributed computing, and financial applications.

Low Latency Switching Architecture

The non-blocking architecture of the SN2100M switch ensures predictable performance under load. Packet latency is consistently under 300 nanoseconds, which minimizes data transmission delays and improves application responsiveness, especially in latency-sensitive environments like algorithmic trading and virtualized infrastructure.

Security and Network Control

As enterprises face increasing cyber threats, network infrastructure must include strong security controls. The HPE SN2100M switch supports multiple security protocols and features, such as secure boot, 802.1X port-based authentication, ACLs (Access Control Lists), and role-based access control. These measures provide a secure operating environment and reduce the attack surface across network layers.

Granular Access Management

With RBAC (Role-Based Access Control), network administrators can assign specific permissions to user roles, ensuring that only authorized personnel can perform configuration changes. Logging and audit capabilities also help trace modifications and detect anomalies in real-time.

Policy-Based Routing and Filtering

Network traffic can be intelligently managed through PBR (Policy-Based Routing), enabling routing decisions based on criteria such as source address, traffic type, or VLAN. ACLs ensure that only validated packets are forwarded, protecting the infrastructure from unauthorized access and attacks like spoofing or DDoS.

Advanced Data Center Networking Features

The HPE SN2100M supports a wide array of advanced protocols and features that help IT administrators build a resilient, scalable, and high-performance fabric. These include:

• VXLAN and EVPN: Enables scalable Layer 2 networks across Layer 3 boundaries for multi-tenant data centers.
• MLAG (Multi-Chassis Link Aggregation): Provides link redundancy and increased throughput across dual-switch topologies.
• RoCEv2 (RDMA over Converged Ethernet v2): Reduces latency and CPU overhead for storage and HPC applications.
• PFC (Priority Flow Control): Ensures lossless Ethernet traffic for critical data flows.
• Data Center Bridging (DCB): Enhances Ethernet reliability for storage traffic.

Spine-Leaf Topology Integration

The compact footprint and high port density make the SN2100M a top choice for building spine-leaf networks. In a leaf role, it connects to multiple spine switches for redundant uplinks, while its breakout capabilities allow numerous server connections at 25GbE. This design offers improved fault tolerance and deterministic performance across workloads.

High Availability and Redundancy

The HPE SN2100M supports redundant power supplies and fans, hot-swappable components, and stateful configuration management for high availability. These features minimize downtime and ensure business continuity during planned maintenance or component failure.

Deployment Use Cases

This model is tailored for various deployment environments, such as:

Hyperscale Data Centers

In hyperscale infrastructures, space, speed, and scalability are paramount. The SN2100M provides rapid east-west traffic handling, perfect for horizontally scaling workloads and microservices architectures.

High-Performance Computing (HPC)

For scientific research and simulation tasks, where every nanosecond counts, the switch's ultra-low latency and RoCEv2 support enable direct memory access across nodes, significantly improving performance.

Cloud Infrastructure

Public and private cloud environments benefit from ONIE-based switch flexibility. Whether deploying open-source NOS platforms or proprietary solutions, cloud operators can tailor the SN2100M to their orchestration and automation frameworks.

Enterprise Campus and Core Networks

Large enterprises can use the SN2100M as a core aggregation switch, linking access-layer switches and server clusters. Its support for robust routing protocols and high-capacity forwarding ensures seamless enterprise application delivery.

Integration with HPE Ecosystem

As part of the HPE networking portfolio, the R3B06-63001 switch integrates seamlessly with HPE ProLiant servers, HPE Synergy, HPE Nimble, and other storage and compute solutions. This compatibility ensures that enterprises can build unified, interoperable systems with simplified management and procurement.

Support for HPE Intelligent Management Tools

Through HPE's suite of management tools, such as HPE IMC (Intelligent Management Center), network administrators gain end-to-end visibility and control. These tools offer real-time monitoring, traffic analysis, configuration backup, and compliance reporting.

Centralized Configuration Management

Automated provisioning and configuration through centralized templates minimize human error and expedite deployment. Network changes can be rolled out across multiple switches in seconds.

Open APIs and SDN Readiness

The SN2100M supports programmatic access via APIs, allowing integration with SDN controllers and network automation platforms. This promotes agile network operations and supports DevOps methodologies for fast-paced enterprise environments.

Energy Efficiency and Environmental Compliance

Despite its performance capabilities, the R3B06-63001 is designed with energy efficiency in mind. It meets environmental standards and is equipped with power-saving features such as dynamic fan control and energy-efficient transceivers.

Green IT Initiatives

Organizations focused on reducing their carbon footprint benefit from deploying SN2100M switches due to their low power draw per Gbps and reduced cooling requirements. Compliance with RoHS and other energy certifications adds to its appeal for eco-conscious enterprises.