United States
Q
What are HPE Storage Network Switches?
A
HPE Storage Network Switches are enterprise-grade Fibre Channel and Ethernet switches designed to deliver high performance, low latency, and secure connectivity for SAN and NAS storage environments.
Q
What are the key features of HPE 32Gb Fibre Channel switches?
A
HPE 32Gb Fibre Channel switches offer line-rate performance, up to 2 million IOPS, NPIV zoning, integrated diagnostics, and intelligent buffering for predictable SAN workloads.
Q
How do HPE Storage Network Switches improve SAN performance?
A
By providing end-to-end low-latency switching, adaptive buffering, Quality of Service (QoS), and dynamic path optimization to maintain consistent throughput and minimize contention.
Q
Are HPE Storage Network Switches scalable?
A
Yes. HPE switches support modular expansion and fabric virtualization, enabling pay-as-you-grow scalability from small deployments to multi-chassis fabrics with hundreds of ports.
Q
Which management tools support HPE Storage Network Switches?
A
HPE switches are managed via HPE SAN Network Advisor, Command Line Interface (CLI), and RESTful APIs, offering centralized configuration, monitoring, and firmware orchestration.
Q
What security features do HPE Storage Network Switches include?
A
They include role-based access control, RADIUS/TACACS+ authentication, fabric binding, FC SP-sec encryption, and port-level zoning to safeguard data in transit.
Q
How do I deploy HPE Storage Network Switches in my data center?
A
Rack-mount the switch, connect power and cooling, configure IP and Fibre Channel zoning via CLI or SAN Network Advisor, then integrate with hosts and storage arrays.
Q
Which storage arrays and host OS platforms are supported?
A
HPE switches interoperate with all leading Fibre Channel and iSCSI storage arrays, and support Windows, Linux, VMware, Hyper-V, and UNIX platforms.
Q
How can I monitor and troubleshoot HPE Storage Network Switches?
A
Use SAN Network Advisor for real-time alerts, performance dashboards, switch health checks, and diagnostic tools; CLI commands provide detailed port and fabric troubleshooting.
Q
What licensing options are available for advanced features?
A
Licenses are available for adaptive networking, extended fabric services, security encryption, and enhanced diagnostics, allowing you to enable features on demand.
Q
What is the typical latency and throughput of HPE Fibre Channel switches?
A
HPE switches deliver sub-900 ns port-to-port latency and up to 128 Gb/s aggregate throughput per port, ensuring predictable storage traffic performance.
Q
How do HPE Storage Network Switches support virtualization?
A
They offer N_Port ID Virtualization (NPIV), virtual SAN zoning, and integration with VMware vCenter and Microsoft SCVMM for automated provisioning and fabric management.
Q
What power and cooling considerations apply?
A
HPE switches feature redundant power supplies with hot-swap capability, front-to-back airflow optimized for data center cooling, and energy-efficient modes to reduce consumption.
Q
How do I upgrade firmware on HPE Storage Network Switches?
A
Use SAN Network Advisor or CLI to stage and activate firmware images in a rolling upgrade, minimizing service interruption with non-disruptive upgrade workflows.
Q
What support and warranty options are offered?
A
HPE provides a limited lifetime warranty, optional 24/7 global hardware support, proactive monitoring, and software subscription services for ongoing updates and security patches.
Q
How do HPE Storage Network Switches deliver ROI?
A
By reducing storage latency, simplifying management, enabling non-disruptive expansion, and lowering TCO through energy-efficient design and consolidated operations.
