United States$5,000,000+
Inventory Delivered By
R
Roger Peterson
5
SAN switch enabled smoothly and performed reliably from day one.
AM868C
HP 8/24 Base 16-ports Enabled SAN Switch
FEATURED DEAL
Name:
AM868C
- Description:
- HP 8/24 Base 16-ports Enabled SAN Switch
- Rating:
Added to cart 28 times recently
- Availability:
In stock - Ready to Ship
- Brand:
- Hpe
- Condition:
- Warranty:
- 3
- List Price:
$7,328.00
- Price:
$2,783.0062% off
Quantity:
1
Business price:
3 Year Extended Warranty
Same-day Shipping
14-Day Money Back Guarantee
Shipping:
Payment:
3 Year Extended Warranty
Same-day Shipping
14-Day Money Back Guarantee
Need Additional Discount on Product?
Request a quote below - Get Exclusive Pricing and Support.
Shipping:
Payment:
TRUSTED, TRIED, PROVEN
Officially Accredited
& Verified By
Next-Gen IT
Solutions Powered By
AM868C Overview
AM868C is a high-performance, stackable managed Ethernet switch designed with a resilient and modular architecture to meet demanding network environments. It offers multiple power options including an AC power supply and supports redundant power configurations, while featuring a variety of ports such as numerous Ethernet ports and uplink modules to ensure robust connectivity and efficient network segmentation.
The device excels in scalability and performance with stacking capabilities that allow seamless expansion and simplified management across deployments. Engineered for use cases ranging from enterprise campus networks to data centers, AM868C delivers reliable switching, advanced security, and high throughput for mission-critical applications.
AM868C price is $2,783.00, a 62% saving from the Hpe list price of $7,328.00. AM868C is in stock and available for next-day dispatch. (terms applied)
Request bulk order quote for AM868C for additional pricing. Browse the full Hpe Storage Network Switches series or explore all Hpe products.
AM868C Specifications
- Product Type
- Switch
- Power Source
- AC Power Supply
- Layer Supported
- Layer 2 / Layer 3
- Form Factor
- Rack-mount
- Power Consumption
- N/A
- 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
- AM868C
- 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
- Port/Expansion Slot Details
- N/A
- Flash Memory
- 64 MB
- Switching Capacity
- N/A
- Switching Capacity with Stacking
- N/A
- Product Name
- AM868C Stackable Managed Ethernet Switch
- Height
- N/A
- Width
- N/A
- Depth
- N/A
- Weight
- N/A
AM868C Use Case
High-Performance Data Center Virtualization
In a global enterprise VMware deployment, the AM868C-HP 8/24 Base 16-ports Enabled SAN Switch consolidates storage traffic for 200+ ESXi hosts. By leveraging 16 Gbps Fibre Channel ports and intelligent zoning, IT teams achieve sub-millisecond latency and deterministic throughput for mission-critical VMs. Benefit: Dramatically improved VM performance and simplified SAN management reduce operational costs and accelerate application delivery.
Scalable Backup and Disaster Recovery
A financial services firm implements nightly replication from primary SAN arrays to an offsite DR facility over the AM868C-HP 8/24 Base 16-ports Enabled SAN Switch. Using ports dedicated to Fibre Channel replication and hardware-accelerated encryption, backups complete within RPO targets and sustain RTO under 30 minutes. Benefit: Meets regulatory requirements, ensures business continuity, and minimizes data loss risk.
High-Availability for Mission-Critical Applications
In a healthcare environment running EMR systems, the AM868C-HP 8/24 Base 16-ports Enabled SAN Switch supports active/active storage clusters across two data halls. Its non-blocking architecture and redundant power supplies deliver five-nine’s availability for database volumes. Benefit: Ensures zero downtime for patient records access, enhances SLA compliance, and safeguards critical clinical workflows.
Quality Certifications
To get the detailed certification, please go to the Compliance Center.
Product Comparison Table 
| AM868C |  C8R44B |  691367-B21 |  Q6M28A |  Q9D35A | |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| Depth | N/A | 12.0 inches | 12 inches | 12 inches | 12 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 | 64 MB | 64 MB |
| Form Factor | Rack-mount | Rack-mount | Rack-mount | Rack-mount | Rack-mount |
| Height | N/A | 1.75 inches | 1.75 inches | 1.75 inches | 1 inches |
| IOS | IP Services | IP Services | IP Services | 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 3 | Layer 2 / Layer 3 | Layer 2 / Layer 3 |
| Manageable | Managed | Managed | Managed | Managed | Managed |
| Manufacturer Part Number | AM868C | C8R44B | 691367-B21 | Q6M28A | Q9D35A |
| Media Type Supported | Combo | Twisted Pair / Fiber | Twisted Pair / Fiber | Combo | Twisted Pair / Fiber / Combo |
| Memory | 256 MB | 256 MB | 256 MB | 256 MB | 256 MB |
| Number of Downlink Ports | 24 Ports | 24 Ports | 24 Ports | 24 Ports | 24 Ports |
| Number of Ethernet Ports | 24–48 Ports | 24–48 Ports | 24–48 Ports | 24–48 Ports | 24–48 Ports |
| POE Support | POE+ | POE+ | POE+ | POE+ | POE+ |
| Port/Expansion Slot Details | N/A | 24 fixed Ethernet ports and 4 SFP uplink ports | 24 Gigabit Ethernet ports with 4 SFP uplink modules; expansion slot for additional modules | 24 fixed Gigabit Ethernet ports with 4 SFP uplink slots | 2 expansion slots for additional modules |
| Power Consumption | N/A | 85 W | 130 W | 120 W | 150W |
| Power Source | AC Power Supply | AC Power Supply | Redundant Power Supply / AC Power Supply | AC Power Supply | Redundant Power Supply / AC Power Supply |
| Product Name | AM868C Stackable Managed Ethernet Switch | C8R44B Network Switch | 691367-B21 Enterprise Layer 3 Managed Switch | Q6M28A High-Performance Layer 2/3 Managed Switch | Q9D35A Enterprise Rack 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 | 4 SFP Ports | 4 SFP Ports |
| Switching Capacity | N/A | 128 Gbps | 130 Gbps | 128 Gbps | 320 Gbps |
| Switching Capacity with Stacking | N/A | 256 Gbps | 260 Gbps | 256 Gbps | 640 Gbps |
| Uplink Configuration | 10G | 10G | 10G | 10G | 10G |
| Weight | N/A | 15 lbs | 15 lbs | 12 lbs | 10 lbs |
| Width | N/A | 17.5 inches | 17.5 inches | 17.5 inches | 17 inches |
Reviews & Ratings
A
Alan Montgomery
5
Good option for expanding existing Fibre Channel fabrics.
S
Stephen Turner
5
Stable connectivity with minimal configuration.
B
Bruce Wallace
5
Consistent performance in production.
D
Dennis Moore
4
Dependable SAN component for daily operations.
Questions & Answers
What is the HP 8/24 Base 16-ports Enabled SAN Switch (SKU: AM868C)?
The HP 8/24 Base 16-ports Enabled SAN Switch (AM868C) is a high-performance Fibre Channel switch that provides 16 active 8 Gbps ports in a 1U form factor, ideal for mid-range storage area network deployments.
What are the key specifications of the HP 8/24 Base SAN Switch AM868C?
The AM868C features 16 active 8 Gbps Fibre Channel ports, 24 total port capacity (with expansion license), 1U rack mount, redundant power supplies, and hot-swappable fans for enterprise-grade reliability.
Does the AM868C support multiple Fibre Channel speeds?
Yes. The AM868C supports native 8 Gbps Fibre Channel with automatic port speed negotiation down to 1, 2, or 4 Gbps to ensure compatibility with older HBAs and storage arrays.
Is the HP 8/24 Base SAN Switch backward compatible?
The AM868C is backward compatible with 1/2/4 Gbps Fibre Channel devices, allowing seamless integration with existing infrastructure while maximizing investment protection.
How do I enable all 24 ports on the AM868C SAN Switch?
To enable all 24 ports, purchase and apply the optional 8-port license upgrade (Base to 8/24), then activate the ports through the Web GUI or CLI; no hardware change is required.
What management tools are available for the HP AM868C switch?
You can manage the AM868C via HP's Web GUI, CLI over SSH or serial, and integrate with HP Storage Essentials SAN management software for centralized monitoring and alerts.
How do I install and configure the HP 8/24 Base SAN Switch?
Mount the 1U switch in your rack, connect power and fibre cables, assign an IP address via the front-panel setup wizard, then configure zoning and security policies through the Web GUI or CLI.
What redundancy and high-availability features does AM868C offer?
The AM868C includes dual hot-swappable power supplies, redundant hot-swap fans, fabric-based AL_PA switching, and optional port channeling to ensure uninterrupted data paths.
What is the power consumption and cooling requirement?
The AM868C draws up to 110W under full load and requires standard data center cooling; redundant PSUs ensure continuous operation and efficient thermal management.
How many devices can I connect to the AM868C SAN Switch?
With 16 active ports (expandable to 24), you can directly attach up to 16 storage or server HBAs, or up to 56 devices using NPIV virtualization to maximize port utilization.
What use cases are ideal for the HP 8/24 Base SAN Switch?
The AM868C is ideal for mid-tier SAN environments, VMware or Hyper-V virtualization, clustered database systems, and mixed Fibre Channel storage networks requiring high throughput and low latency.
What environmental certifications does the AM868C have?
The AM868C is ENERGY STAR certified, complies with RoHS and WEEE directives, and meets NEBS Level 3 requirements for reliable operation in diverse data-center environments.
How can I monitor the performance of the AM868C switch?
Monitor CPU, memory, port statistics, and error counters via the HP Web GUI or integrate SNMP traps into your enterprise monitoring system for real-time alerts and performance dashboards.
What warranty and support options are available for SKU AM868C?
The HP AM868C includes a one-year hardware warranty with next-business-day onsite support, extendable to three or five years through HP Care Pack service contracts.
What licensing options are required for advanced features?
Beyond the Base 16-port license, you can add the 8-port expansion license, Fabric Vision features license, and Advanced Performance Monitoring license to unlock full SAN management capabilities.
How does the AM868C compare to other HP SAN switches?
Compared to entry-level models, the AM868C delivers higher port density, 8 Gbps performance, and advanced redundancy, making it more scalable and reliable for growing SAN environments.