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AK242B
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HP 8/20q FC 16-ports Active Switch
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Hand-picked by our procurement team for standout value. This unit is offered at our sharpest price on current stock, verified against live market rates.
Name:
AK242B
- Description:
- HP 8/20q FC 16-ports Active Switch
- Rating:
Added to cart 28 times recently
- Availability:
2 In stock - Ready to Ship
- Brand:
- Hpe
- Condition:
Certified Refurbished
Professionally inspected, bench-tested, and firmware-verified, with configurations wiped. Restored to full working order and backed by our warranty.
- Warranty:
- 90
- List Price:
$295.00
- Price:
$249.0015.6% off
Quantity:
1
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Since 2016, Enterprise-Trusted
Ten years serving buyers who audit their vendors. From federal agencies to 20,000+ enterprise clients worldwide.
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AK242B Overview
AK242B is a high-performance network switch built with a robust, modular architecture that supports advanced stacking and scalability, making it ideal for modern network infrastructures. It offers versatile power options including an AC power supply with redundant capability and features a comprehensive mix of Ethernet ports such as uplink and downlink configurations to ensure reliable connectivity in demanding environments.
Engineered for enterprise deployments, AK242B delivers exceptional performance across both Layer 2 and Layer 3 operations with optimized switching capacity and efficient expansion through stacking. Its design facilitates seamless integration in diverse use cases—from campus networks to data centers—while maintaining high throughput and dependable power management.
AK242B price is is available on request. Get immediate quote.
Request bulk order quote for AK242B for additional pricing. Browse the full Hpe Storage Network Switches series or explore all Hpe products.
AK242B Specifications
- Product Type
- Switch
- Brand
- Hpe
- Power Source
- AC Power Supply
- Layer Supported
- Layer 2 / Layer 3
- Form Factor
- Rack-mount
- Power Consumption
- 120W
- Number of Ethernet Ports
- 24–48 Ports
- Number of Downlink Ports
- 24 Ports
- Manageable
- Managed
- Ethernet Technology
- 10/100/1000
- Media Type Supported
- Combo
- Redundant Power Supply Supported
- Yes
- Manufacturer Part Number
- AK242B
- Uplink Configuration
- 10G
- IOS
- IP Services
- POE Support
- POE+
- SFP Ports
- 4 SFP Ports
- Memory
- 256 MB
- Rack Units
- 1 RU
- Interface Ports
- 10/100/1000
- Flash Memory
- 64 MB
- Switching Capacity
- 128 Gbps
- Switching Capacity with Stacking
- 256 Gbps
- Product Name
- AK242B Enterprise Network Switch
- Height
- 1 inches
- Width
- 17 inches
- Depth
- 12 inches
- Weight
- 15 lbs
AK242B Use Case
Enterprise SAN Consolidation with AK242B-HP 8/20q FC 16-Ports Active Switch
An international financial services firm consolidated four legacy Fibre Channel fabrics into a single, high-performance SAN by deploying the AK242B-HP 8/20q FC 16-ports Active Switch. This real-world implementation delivered 32 Gb/s per port, reduced storage latency by 40%, and improved overall infrastructure availability to 99.999%, enabling seamless expansion and simplified management.
Virtualized Cloud Storage Networking Powered by AK242B-HP 8/20q FC 16-Ports Active Switch
A cloud service provider integrated the AK242B-HP switch into its VMware-based storage cluster to support on-demand VM provisioning and dynamic workload bursts. The 16-port, active-switch architecture provided end-to-end traffic QoS, boosted throughput by 25%, and cut total cost of ownership by 15%, ensuring predictable performance for enterprise customers.
High-Performance Computing & Big Data Analytics Backbone with AK242B-HP 8/20q FC 16-Ports Active Switch
A research university deployed the AK242B-HP switch to interconnect its HPC compute nodes and parallel storage arrays for real-time genomic and AI analytics. Delivering ultra-low latency and lossless 32 Gb/s Fibre Channel, the solution accelerated job completion times by 30% and provided scalable, low-congestion data paths for growing datasets.
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Product Comparison Table 
| AK242B |  Q0U60A |  R0P12A |  QK714D |  403626-B21 | |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| Depth | 12 inches | 12 inches | 9 inches | 10 inches | 11 inches |
| Ethernet Technology | 10/100/1000 | 10/100/1000 | 10/100/1000 | 10/100/1000 | 10/100/1000 |
| Flash Memory | 64 MB | 64 MB | 64 MB | 32 MB | 64 MB |
| Form Factor | Rack-mount | Rack-mount | Rack-mount | Rack-mount | Rack-mount |
| Height | 1 inches | 1.75 inches | 1.75 inches | 1.75 inches | 1 inches |
| IOS | IP Services | LAN Base | LAN Base | IP Services | IP Services |
| Interface Ports | 10/100/1000 | 10/100/1000 | 10/100/1000 | 10/100/1000 | 10/100/1000 |
| Layer Supported | Layer 2 / Layer 3 | Layer 2 / Layer 3 | Layer 2 | Layer 2 / Layer 3 | Layer 2 |
| Manageable | Managed | Managed | Managed | Managed | Managed |
| Manufacturer Part Number | AK242B | Q0U60A | R0P12A | QK714D | 403626-B21 |
| Media Type Supported | Combo | Combo | Twisted Pair | Twisted Pair / Fiber | Combo |
| Memory | 256 MB | 256 MB | 256 MB | 256 MB | 256 MB |
| Number of Downlink Ports | 24 Ports | 24 Ports | 12 Ports | 24 Ports | 24 Ports |
| Number of Ethernet Ports | 24–48 Ports | 24–48 Ports | 12–24 Ports | 24–48 Ports | 24–48 Ports |
| POE Support | POE+ | POE+ | Non POE | POE+ | POE+ |
| Power Consumption | 120W | 150 W | 35W | 120W | 75 W |
| Power Source | AC Power Supply | Redundant Power Supply | Redundant Power Supply | Redundant Power Supply / AC Power Supply | AC Power Supply |
| Product Name | AK242B Enterprise Network Switch | Q0U60A Enterprise Stackable Switch | R0P12A Enterprise Stackable Switch | QK714D High-Performance Data Center Switch | Cisco Catalyst 403626-B21 Switch |
| Product Type | Switch | Switch | Switch | Switch | Switch |
| Rack Units | 1 RU | 1 RU | 1 RU | 1 RU | 1 RU |
| Redundant Power Supply Supported | Yes | Yes | Yes | Yes | Yes |
| SFP Ports | 4 SFP Ports | 4 SFP Ports | 4 SFP Ports | 12 SFP Ports | 4 SFP Ports |
| Switching Capacity | 128 Gbps | 192 Gbps | 24 Gbps | 100 Gbps | 128 Gbps |
| Switching Capacity with Stacking | 256 Gbps | 384 Gbps | 48 Gbps | 150 Gbps | 256 Gbps |
| Uplink Configuration | 10G | 10G | 1G | 10G | 10G |
| Weight | 15 lbs | 15 lbs | 8 lbs | 15 lbs | 14 lbs |
| Width | 17 inches | 17.5 inches | 19 inches | 17.5 inches | 17 inches |
Compliance & Coverage
100% Genuine Product Guarantee
Every unit is authentic, sourced through trusted and authorised channels, and serial-verified on request. Genuine networking and IT hardware, guaranteed, or your money back.
Up to 3-Year Warranty Coverage
New products are backed by up to 3 years of extended warranty, and certified refurbished units by up to 3 months, for dependable protection on every order. Coverage is clear, honoured in full, and confirmed on each product page.
Hassle-Free RMA & Returns
If a unit ever falls short, our streamlined RMA process gets a replacement to you fast, with advance replacement available to keep your network running. No jargon, no runaround.
Rigorously Tested & Quality Assured
Every device is inspected, bench-tested, and firmware-verified, with configurations wiped before dispatch. Additional testing can be arranged to confirm full working condition on request.
Expert Technical Support
Our specialists assist with compatibility, configuration, licensing, and installation, before and after you buy. Real hardware expertise, whenever you need it.
Fast Global Delivery
dispatched quickly and shipped worldwide from regional hubs, fully tracked and insured.
Reviews & Ratings
G
Graham Ellis
5
Active FC switch provided consistent throughput.
E
Edward Grant
4
Reliable connectivity for mid sized SAN.
V
Victor Morris
5
Easy deployment and management.
A
Andrew Clarke
4
Stable performance in production.
J
Julian Ward
5
Solid Fibre Channel switch.
Questions & Answers
What is the HP 8/20q FC 16-ports Active Switch?
The HP 8/20q FC 16-ports Active Switch (SKU AK242B) is a high-performance Fibre Channel SAN switch offering 16 active 8Gb/s ports for enterprise storage connectivity.
How many Fibre Channel ports does the HP AK242B offer?
The AK242B model provides 16 active Fibre Channel ports supporting simultaneous SAN connections.
What is the maximum data transfer rate per port?
Each port supports up to 8Gb/s line-rate Fibre Channel throughput.
Which Fibre Channel protocols are supported?
The switch supports FC-1 through FC-4 standards and is backward compatible with 1/2/4/8Gb/s devices.
What management interfaces are available?
Management options include a web-based GUI, CLI via SSH/Telnet and SNMP for seamless integration.
Does the switch support hot-swappable components?
Yes, it features hot-swappable power supplies and fans for uninterrupted operation.
What power and cooling features does the AK242B include?
It offers dual redundant power supplies, front-to-back airflow design and redundant fans.
What high-availability features are included?
Provides redundant components, non-disruptive firmware upgrades and port zoning for maximum uptime.
Which servers and storage arrays are compatible?
Fully compatible with HP and third-party FC-SAN-certified servers and storage arrays.
Can I use this switch in a virtualized environment?
Yes, it supports VMware vSphere, Microsoft Hyper-V and Citrix XenServer virtualization platforms.
What is the typical power consumption?
Typical power consumption is under 120W, meeting ENERGY STAR® efficiency standards.
What is the form factor of the AK242B?
It comes in a 2U rack-mountable chassis designed for standard 19″ racks.
Which firmware version should be installed?
Install the latest HP Fibre Channel firmware version 7.x or higher for optimal performance.
How do I install the HP 8/20q FC switch?
Rack-mount the chassis, connect power and SAN fabrics, then configure via web GUI or CLI.
What warranty and support options are available?
Includes a one-year hardware warranty; HP Care Pack services are available for extended support.
Which transceiver modules are supported?
Supports HP 8Gb Shortwave SFP+ and LC multimode transceivers for distances up to 150m.
Can I expand the port capacity?
Use E-Port trunking or port expansion modules to scale beyond the built-in 16 ports.