HPE SN6720C 64Gb 48/24 64Gb Short Wave SFP+ Fibre Channel Switch

The HPE SN6720C 64Gb 48/24 Short Wave SFP+ Fibre Channel Switch is engineered to empower modern SANs with ultra-fast Fibre Channel connectivity. Designed for midsize to enterprise environments, this switch delivers high-performance 64 Gbps Fibre Channel switching with a dense 48 front-end and 24 back-end port layout, creating a scalable fabric that extends from the server rack to the SAN core. Built on HPE's trusted Storage Fibre Channel Switch C-Series platform, the SN6720C optimizes latency, reliability, and manageability for database, virtualization, and disaster recovery workloads. With support for Short Wave SFP+ transceivers, VSANs, zoning, NPIV, and comprehensive fabric services, it provides a future-proof foundation for data-center consolidation and growth. This switch is designed to handle the escalating throughput demands of modern workloads while maintaining consistent, predictable performance under mixed I/O patterns. Its architecture reduces bottlenecks, enabling parallelized data paths that ensure consistent read/write latency even as traffic grows. The SN6720C also emphasizes operational efficiency, with modular components and intelligent cooling to minimize downtime and energy use, a key consideration for 24x7 data centers. Whether you are consolidating multiple storage silos, building a robust backup fabric, or enabling a resilient virtualization environment, the SN6720C provides the reliability, scalability, and ease of management you need.

• Powerful 64 Gbps per-port Fibre Channel switching with a non-blocking fabric that minimizes latency and maximizes throughput across the entire SAN, making it ideal for bandwidth-intensive databases, virtualized environments, and analytics workloads. This performance parity supports predictable service levels for mission-critical applications and ensures consistent I/O operations even under peak loads.
• Dense 48/24 port configuration enables expansive storage connectivity while preserving space and reducing cabling complexity in dense data-center racks; supports high-availability deployments with redundant power and cooling options to maximize uptime and protect data access during maintenance or component failure.
• Advanced fabric services, including zoning, VSANs, NPIV, and dynamic fabric provisioning, give administrators granular control over security, multi-tenant environments, and storage resource isolation while simplifying day-to-day management and policy enforcement across large SAN fabrics.
• Short Wave SFP+ compatibility expands reach for diverse storage networks, enabling flexible deployment across distances and scalable uplink/downlink configurations with support for high-density transceivers and optimized link budgets for varied topologies.
• Intuitive management and seamless integration with HPE's ecosystem, featuring CLI, web UI, SNMP, and centralized management tools for provisioning, monitoring, and diagnostics—delivering rapid deployment, efficient operations, and reduced mean time to repair (MTTR).

Technical Details of HPE SN6720C 64Gb 48/24 Short Wave SFP+ Fibre Channel Switch

• Model: HPE SN6720C 64Gb Short Wave SFP+ Fibre Channel Switch
• Port configuration: 48 front-end ports, 24 back-end ports (48/24 density)
• Per-port speed: 64 Gbps Fibre Channel
• Transceivers: Short Wave SFP+ transceiver compatibility for flexible distance deployments
• Fabric architecture: non-blocking switch fabric with low-latency characteristics suitable for high-demand workloads
• Security and fabric services: zoning, virtual SAN (VSAN) support, NPIV, and comprehensive fabric provisioning features
• Management: CLI, web-based GUI, SNMP integration, and compatibility with HPE management ecosystems
• Power and reliability: supports redundant power options and hot-swappable components to maximize uptime
• Energy and cooling: designed for efficient operation in modern data centers with optimized thermal performance

How to install HPE SN6720C

• Plan your SAN topology and rack placement, ensuring adequate space for the switch, cabling paths, and proper airflow for cooling.
• Mount the SN6720C in the rack, connect redundant power supplies, and verify that environmental monitoring and cooling are correctly configured.
• Power up the device and access the management interface via the designated management network address; upload or verify firmware to the recommended version for stability and security.
• Connect Fibre Channel cables from servers (HBAs) and storage arrays using 64 Gbps SFP+ transceivers, and perform initial port mapping to align front-end ports with server I/O and back-end ports with storage targets.
• Configure VSANs, zoning policies, and NPIV as required by your data center policy; run the built-in diagnostics to validate connectivity and performance, then monitor performance metrics to ensure compliance with service levels.

Frequently asked questions

• What is the primary purpose of the HPE SN6720C? The SN6720C serves as a high-performance Fibre Channel switch in a SAN fabric, providing fast, reliable connectivity between servers and storage arrays for mission-critical workloads such as databases, virtualization, backups, and disaster recovery.
• How many ports does it have and at what speed? It features 48 front-end ports and 24 back-end ports, each capable of 64 Gbps Fibre Channel, delivering dense, low-latency storage networking suitable for expanding SANs.
• Does it support VSANs and zoning? Yes. The switch supports virtual SANs (VSANs), zoning, and NPIV to enable secure, multi-tenant storage environments and streamlined management across large fabrics.
• Is it compatible with Short Wave SFP+ transceivers? Yes. The SN6720C is designed to operate with Short Wave SFP+ transceivers to maximize reach and flexibility in diverse data-center layouts.
• What management options are available? The SN6720C can be managed via CLI and a web-based GUI, with SNMP support and integration into HPE’s broader management ecosystem for monitoring, provisioning, and diagnostics, enabling efficient administration and rapid issue resolution.