HPE SN8700B 32Gb 48-port 32Gb Long Wave SFP28 Integrated Fibre Channel Switch Blade

The HPE SN8700B 32Gb 48-port 32Gb Long Wave SFP28 Integrated Fibre Channel Switch Blade is engineered for modern data centers that demand scalable, reliable, and predictable storage connectivity. As a key component of the HPE SN8700B SAN Director family, this switch blade delivers dense 32Gb Fibre Channel performance across a 48-port footprint, enabling fierce workloads such as large-scale virtualization, mission-critical databases, and NVMe-backed storage arrays to co-exist on a single, high-performance fabric. Built with enterprise-grade reliability, flexible management, and seamless integration with existing SAN topologies, the SN8700B blade helps IT teams simplify deployment, optimize throughput, and reduce totalcost of ownership in demanding storage environments.

Designed to fit into the HPE SAN Director chassis, this switch blade provides a compact yet scalable solution for growing storage networks. The Long Wave SFP28 optics support extended reach across data centers, allowing organizations to connect to diverse storage targets and remote sites without compromising latency or bandwidth. With a focus on low-latency, high-throughput operation, the SN8700B blade is a cornerstone for consolidating storage fabrics while preserving the performance needed for latency-sensitive workloads such as OLTP databases, virtualization platforms, and real-time analytics.

Administrators benefit from integration with HPE’s robust SAN Director management tools, which streamline provisioning, zoning, NPIV, and LUN masking across the fabric. The blade’s firmware and software stack are designed to enable rapid refreshes and non-disruptive maintenance, helping preserve service levels while new storage targets are added or topology changes occur. For data centers pursuingNVMe over Fibre Channel (FC-NVMe) strategies, the SN8700B blade positions itself as a compatible, high-bandwidth interface that works in concert with compatible NVMe storage arrays and servers, delivering fast, reliable access to data wherever it resides within the SAN.

In short, the HPE SN8700B 32Gb 48-port Long Wave SFP28 Integrated Fibre Channel Switch Blade is built for performance-focused SAN deployments that require dense port counts, scalable fabric, and tight integration with the broader HPE SAN Director ecosystem. It’s a solution for enterprise IT teams seeking to maximize storage throughput, minimize latency, and protect the value of their existing Fibre Channel investments while preparing for the next generation of storage technologies.

• Dense 48-port 32Gb Fibre Channel blade: High-port density enables compact, scalable SAN fabrics with fast, reliable 32Gb connections over Long Wave SFP28 optics, ideal for consolidating large storage environments.
• Integrated blade for SAN Director: Designed to slot into the HPE SN8700B SAN Director, delivering seamless integration with director-level management, zoning, and overall fabric orchestration.
• Non-blocking, low-latency fabric: A purpose-built switching fabric supports consistent performance under heavy VM density and demanding I/O profiles, helping meet service-level objectives for mission-critical workloads.
• Advanced storage features and interoperability: Supports essential Fibre Channel capabilities such as zoning, NPIV, and LUN masking, while interoperating with popular storage arrays and virtualization platforms in heterogeneous data centers.
• Future-ready for FC-NVMe and storage evolution: Optimized for fast access to NVMe-based storage targets over Fibre Channel when paired with compatible arrays and servers, helping future-proof your storage investment.

Technical Details of HPE SN8700B 32Gb 48-port 32Gb Long Wave SFP28 Integrated Fibre Channel Switch Blade

• Port configuration: 48 Fibre Channel ports operating at 32 Gb/s per port using Long Wave SFP28 transceivers, enabling high-density, high-bandwidth SAN connectivity.
• Form factor and integration: Integrated switch blade designed for installation in the HPE SN8700B SAN Director chassis, providing a compact and scalable fabric building block for enterprise SANs.
• Fabric design: Non-blocking switching fabric engineered for low latency and steady throughput across heavy workloads, including virtualized environments and database workloads.
• Storage protocol support: Fibre Channel connectivity with compatibility for FC-NVMe configurations when used with appropriate storage arrays and host bus adapters, enabling faster data access paths for modern storage architectures.
• Management and interoperability: Works with HPE SAN Director management tools, facilitating configuration, zoning, NPIV, LUN mapping, and integration with common virtualization platforms and storage arrays.

how to install HPE SN8700B 32Gb 48-port 32Gb Long Wave SFP28 Integrated Fibre Channel Switch Blade

Installing the SN8700B blade involves planning for compatibility, cabling, and fabric readiness. Follow these high-level steps to ensure a smooth deployment within a supported SN8700B SAN Director chassis.

• Prepare the chassis and ensure compatibility: Verify that your SAN Director chassis supports SN8700B blades and that the device firmware is updated to a supported release. Confirm that power, cooling, and rack space meet the required specifications for dense blade installations.
• Insert and connect: Power down or plan a maintenance window if adding during an active operation. Insert the SN8700B blade into the designated slot, ensuring proper seating. Connect the 48 Fibre Channel network cables to storage arrays, HBAs, and fabrics according to the SAN topology.
• Configure basic fabric settings: Use the HPE SAN Director CLI or GUI to assign the blade to the correct fabric, configure port roles, and enable essential FC features such as zoning and NPIV. Validate that each port negotiates to 32 Gb/s successfully.
• Security and zoning: Establish basic zoning policies and LUN access controls. Apply best practices for multipathing, path management, and zoning to ensure predictable storage access for host servers.
• Verification and optimization: Run connectivity tests between hosts and storage targets, verify multipath operation, and monitor latency and throughput to confirm the fabric meets expected service levels. Update firmware if necessary and document the deployment for future maintenance.

Frequently asked questions

• What is the HPE SN8700B 32Gb 48-port Long Wave SFP28 switch blade? It is a Fibre Channel switch blade designed for the HPE SN8700B SAN Director, delivering 48 ports at 32 Gb/s per port with Long Wave SFP28 optics for high-density, high-performance SAN fabrics.
• What workloads is this blade best suited for? It is ideal for data centers running virtualized workloads, large databases, and NVMe-backed storage that require low latency and high bandwidth across a scalable Fibre Channel SAN.
• How does it integrate with NVMe over Fibre Channel (FC-NVMe)? The blade provides Fibre Channel connectivity that can support FC-NVMe configurations when paired with compatible storage arrays and hosts, enabling faster access to NVMe-based data over the FC fabric.
• What management options are available? The blade integrates with HPE SAN Director management tools, offering CLI, GUI, zoning, NPIV, LUN mapping, and standard FC management features for interoperability with mainstream storage systems and virtualization platforms.
• Do I need to replace other components to upgrade? Upgrading typically involves ensuring chassis compatibility, validating firmware versions across the SAN Director, and aligning host and storage configurations. Always consult the latest HPE guidance for compatibility matrices before changes.