HPE 16Gb FC switches
This chapter provides general information about the HPE StoreFabric SN6500B 16Gb FC Switch, HPE
SN6000B 16Gb FC Switch, HPE SN3000B 16Gb FC Switch, and HPE StoreFabric SN4000B SAN
Extension Switch.
NOTE:
For descriptions of acronyms and abbreviations used in this Guide, see the
HPE StoreFabric SN6500B 16Gb FC Switch
This section provides an overview of the StoreFabric SN6500B 16Gb FC Switch. It describes platform
capabilities and components, the physical layout of the switch, and hardware and software options.
Overview
The StoreFabric SN6500B 16Gb FC Switch is a 96-port autosensing 4, 8, 10, or 16 Gb/s FC switch that
delivers the latest Hewlett Packard Enterprise multi-chip architecture for FC SANs. It is an enterprise-
class switch designed to handle the large-scale SAN requirements of an enterprise environment, and can
also be used to address the SAN requirements of a small-sized to medium-sized workgroup. It provides
excellent value as the foundation of a SAN, and is able to grow to meet an organization’s SAN needs.
The StoreFabric SN6500B 16Gb FC Switch meets the RAS, performance, and scalability requirements of
an enterprise switch, while delivering interoperability and ease-of-use advantages. This switch is the
latest offering from the Hewlett Packard Enterprise family of entry-to-enterprise products.
The StoreFabric SN6500B 16Gb FC Switch provides up to 96 ports in a double (2U) height switch only 24
inches deep. This small size enables the creation of very dense fabrics in a relatively small space.
The StoreFabric SN6500B 16Gb FC Switch offers POD licensing. Base models of the switch contain 48
ports, and up to two additional 24-port POD licenses can be purchased. With the appropriate licensing,
ports can be configured to run at 4, 8, or 16 Gb/s, and optionally 10 Gb/s for the first eight ports. Port
activation works through DPOD, where ports are licensed only as they come online. For example, a base
model with 48–port licenses registers the first 48 ports to come online, regardless of their numbering.
After all 48 licenses have been assigned, you can manually move the licenses between those ports.
Platform capabilities
The StoreFabric SN6500B 16Gb FC Switch offers the following features and capabilities:
• Up to 96 autosensing ports in a single domain, with high-performance 16 Gb/s technology.
• POD scaling from 48 to 72 or 96 ports.
• Port licensing through DPOD.
• 4, 8, and 16 Gb/s autosensing FC switch and router ports.
◦ 4 and 8 Gb/s performance is enabled by 8 Gb/s SFP+ transceivers.
◦ 4, 8, and 16 Gb/s performance is enabled by 16 Gb/s SFP+ transceivers.
• 10 Gb/s manual set capability on FC ports (requires the optional 10 Gb FCIP/FC license), on the first
eight ports only.
◦ 10 Gb/s performance is enabled by 10 Gb/s SFP+ transceivers.
◦ The first eight ports can be configured for 10 Gb/s for metro connectivity.
• FC ports self-configure as E_Ports and F_Ports. EX_Ports can be activated on a per-port basis with
the optional Integrated Routing license.
6
HPE 16Gb FC switches
