
( Brand: Hpe ), ( Manufacturer Part Number: SN8700B ), ( Maximum Data Rate: 64gbps ), ( Product Line: San256b-7 )
The Brocade FCX Series Switch, specifically the FCX Dynamic Fabric Switch Model SN8700B San Director, is a powerful and advanced data center networking solution designed for large and complex data center environments. This switch is part of the Brocade Xplorer 7 (X7) product family, which offers high-performance, high-density, and scalable connectivity for Fibre Channel SAN (Storage Area Network) environments.
The SN8700B San Director is a modular switch that supports up to 96 16Gb Fibre Channel ports or a combination of 48 32Gb Fibre Channel ports and 48 16Gb Fibre Channel ports. It is built upon the Brocade SiliconXpress II ASIC, which delivers low-latency, high-bandwidth connectivity, and supports advanced features such as FC-NVMe, FC-ISCSI, and iSCSI offload.
The switch comes with a built-in 48-port 10GbE copper Ethernet module (CPX7) that can be used for management, out-of-band traffic, or as a secondary data network. It also includes two 64-port 10GbE SFP fiber Ethernet modules (CR64-4) that can be used for data traffic, extending the switch's capabilities beyond just Fibre Channel connectivity.
The SN8700B San Director offers advanced features such as Virtual Fabrics, Multi-pathing, Link Aggregation, and Trunking, ensuring high availability and resiliency for mission-critical applications. It also supports Brocade Fabric Vision technology, which provides real-time visibility into the fabric, enabling administrators to quickly identify and resolve issues.
The switch is managed using the Brocade Fabric OS, a robust and intuitive operating system that provides a centralized management interface for configuring, monitoring, and maintaining the entire fabric. It also offers comprehensive reporting and analytics capabilities, enabling administrators to gain insights into fabric performance and utilization.
The SN8700B San Director is a rack-mountable switch that can be installed in standard 19-inch racks. It offers redundant power supplies, fans, and cooling, ensuring high availability and reliability. The switch also supports various mounting options, allowing it to be installed in both 2-post and 4-post racks.
The Brocade FCX Series Switch SN8700B San Director is an ideal solution for organizations with complex and large-scale data center environments that require high-performance, high-density, and scalable Fibre Channel connectivity. It offers advanced features, robust reliability, and flexible deployment options, making it a top choice for mission-critical applications.
The Brocade DCX Backbone Switch, model number FC32-X7-48 CPX7, is a high-end, Fibre Channel switch designed for use in data center environments. The switch is part of the Brocade San Director family and is based on the Brocade SiliconSwitch ASIC. Here are some pros and cons of buying this switch:
Pros:1. Scalability: The FC32-X7-48 CPX7 switch offers a high port density, with 32 Fibre Channel ports and 48 10 Gigabit Ethernet ports. This makes it well-suited for large data center environments that require both Fibre Channel and Ethernet connectivity.
2. Performance: The switch is designed for high-performance data center environments and offers low-latency, high-bandwidth connectivity. It supports data rates up to 32 Gbps per port and offers advanced features such as data center bridging and virtual fabric provisioning.
3. Redundancy: The FC32-X7-48 CPX7 switch offers advanced redundancy features, including support for active-active fabric and redundant power supplies. This ensures high availability and minimizes downtime in mission-critical environments.
4. Management: The switch offers advanced management features, including Brocade Fabric OS, which provides a single point of management for all Brocade switches in the data center. It also offers support for SNMP, CLI, and other management protocols.
Cons:1. Cost: The FC32-X7-48 CPX7 switch is a high-end, enterprise-grade device, and its price reflects that. It may be too expensive for small businesses or organizations with limited budgets.
2. Complexity: The switch offers a large number of features and configurations, which can make it complex to set up and manage. It may require specialized knowledge and training to fully utilize its capabilities.
3. Power Consumption: The switch consumes a significant amount of power, which can increase operational costs. It may require a dedicated power supply or power distribution unit to ensure reliable operation.
Conclusion:The Brocade FC32-X7-48 CPX7 switch is a high-end, enterprise-grade Fibre Channel switch that offers advanced features, high performance, and scalability. It is well-suited for large data center environments that require both Fibre Channel and Ethernet connectivity. However, it comes with a high price tag and can be complex to set up and manage. If you have a large data center with demanding performance requirements and a significant budget, this switch may be a good investment. However, if you have a smaller budget or less complex requirements, there may be more cost-effective options available.
Recommendation:Before making a decision to purchase the FC32-X7-48 CPX7 switch, I would recommend carefully evaluating your organization's data center requirements, including port density, performance, redundancy, and management features. You should also consider the cost of the switch and the resources required to set it up and manage it. If your requirements align with the capabilities of the FC32-X7-48 CPX7 switch and you have the budget to accommodate its cost, then it may be a good investment. However, if you have less demanding requirements or a limited budget, you may want to consider alternative options.
Ship group includes 2 rack power cords and serial cable. Used HPE 64GB Fibre Channel SAN Director SN8700B, same as Brocade X7-4 SAN256B-7 with 4 FC32-X7-48, 2 CR64-4, CPX7 blades, tested in good working order 192 active ports, FOS v9.x.