HPE FlexFabric 5940 48SFP+ 6QSFP28 Switch

The HPE FlexFabric 5940 Switch Series delivers top‑of‑rack performance with ultra‑low latency, designed for dense data centers that demand scalable 10GbE and 40GbE connectivity alongside high‑capacity 100G uplinks. Built to support modern cloud, virtualization, and multi‑tenant environments, this switch is a cornerstone of the FlexFabric and FlexNetwork architectures. It blends high port density, flexible uplink options, and robust management to simplify deployment, reduce operational costs, and accelerate workloads—from virtualized servers to data‑intensive databases and AI workloads. Whether you are building a new data center fabric or expanding an existing one, the HPE FlexFabric 5940 48SFP+ 6QSFP28 Switch is engineered to deliver predictable performance, consistent latency, and resilient network services across your entire ToR topology.

• Dense server access with flexible uplinks — 48 SFP+ ports provide abundant 10GbE connectivity for servers and storage, paired with 6 QSFP28 uplink ports to support 40GbE/100GbE paths, enabling scalable fabric designs from rack to core.
• 100G uplink capability — QSFP28 uplinks support high‑speed connections to the core or spine switches, delivering the headroom needed for multi‑pets of traffic, virtualization overlays, and high‑bandwidth workloads while preserving low latency on the access layer.
• Low latency, high throughput — purpose‑built for data‑center environments, the 5940 Series minimizes forwarding delay and supports sustained throughput under heavy, bursty traffic common in virtualization, analytics, and database applications.
• Advanced network services for modern fabrics — includes QoS, VLANs, ACLs, and LACP, plus VXLAN/EVPN capabilities to simplify provisioning of scalable, multi‑tenant, software‑defined networks across a FlexFabric deployment.
• Unified management and operational efficiency — designed to integrate with HPE FlexFabric tooling and management ecosystems, enabling centralized policy control, streamlined monitoring, and automation to reduce operational overhead and time to production.

Technical Details of HPE FlexFabric 5940 Switch

• Product family: HPE FlexFabric 5940 Switch Series. A ToR solution engineered for dense, low‑latency data center fabrics.
• Port configuration: 48 SFP+ ports for 10GbE connectivity plus 6 QSFP28 ports for high‑speed uplinks (40GbE/100GbE options with appropriate optics).
• Uplink technology: 100G uplink capability via QSFP28 ports, enabling scalable interconnects to spine/core fabrics when paired with compatible optics and cabling.
• Forwarding and latency: optimized data plane designed for predictable, low latency in dynamic data center traffic patterns, including virtualization and storage IOPS workloads.
• Network services: supports QoS, ACLs, VLAN segmentation, LACP for link aggregation, and VXLAN/EVPN for scalable, multi‑tenant overlay networks.
• Management and automation: CLI‑based management with SNMP support and compatibility with HPE Intelligent Management Center (IMC) and other standard network management tools.
• Power and cooling: built for dense rack environments with energy‑efficient operation and reliable cooling for continuous data center workloads.

how to install HPE FlexFabric 5940 Switch

Deploying the HPE FlexFabric 5940 in your ToR or leaf role is straightforward when you follow these best practices to ensure reliability and optimal performance:

• Plan your topology and cabling in advance. Determine server connections on the 48 SFP+ ports and map uplinks to the spine/core layer via the 6 QSFP28 ports. Confirm fiber types and appropriate transceivers for your 10GbE, 40GbE, and 100G paths.
• Rack and power the device. Install the switch securely in a standard data‑center rack, connect to a reliable power source, and verify physical indicators (power, fans, port LEDs) are functioning as the unit powers on.
• Establish a management path. Connect a management workstation or IP network to the switch’s management interface, or use a console connection if available, and prepare for initial CLI access if required.
• Initialize and configure basic settings. Use the CLI to set a unique hostname, assign a management IP address, configure a secure admin account, and enable basic security features (SSH, strong passwords, and access control lists to restrict management access).
• Configure networks and VLANs. Define the VLAN topology for server access (10GbE) and uplink segments (40GbE/100GbE). Create appropriate VLANs, assign ports to the correct VLANs, and implement trunking on uplink ports as needed.
• Enable link aggregation and redundancy. If your design requires it, configure LACP for server‑to‑switch or switch‑to‑switch links to improve throughput and resilience across the fabric.
• Implement QoS and traffic policies. Set up quality‑of‑service rules to prioritize latency‑sensitive workloads (like virtual machines and storage I/O) and ensure predictable performance under peak load.
• Activate high‑availability or lifecycle management tools. If you use HPE IMC or other management platforms, enroll the switch for centralized monitoring, alerts, and automation workflows to streamline ongoing operations.
• Validate and document. Verify port status, uptime, and uplink connectivity with end‑to‑end tests. Confirm that devices on the access ports can reach the intended networks and that QoS policies apply as expected. Document the configuration for future changes and audits.

Frequently asked questions

• Q: What does the HPE FlexFabric 5940 48SFP+ 6QSFP28 Switch offer in a data center?

  A: It provides dense 10GbE access with 48 SFP+ ports, plus 6 QSFP28 uplinks for 40GbE/100GbE connectivity, enabling scalable ToR deployments with low latency and robust uplink capacity.

• Q: Can I use 100G uplinks with this switch?

  A: Yes. The QSFP28 ports support high‑speed uplinks to backbone fabric—40GbE and, with appropriate optics, 100G paths—allowing a future‑proofed, scalable topology.

• Q: What management tools work with this switch?

  A: The switch integrates with HPE management solutions such as HPE Intelligent Management Center (IMC) and supports standard CLI and SNMP for monitoring and automation across the fabric.

• Q: Does it support network virtualization features?

  A: Yes. The 5940 Series includes VXLAN/EVPN capabilities, QoS, VLANs, and ACLs to support modern data center overlays and multi‑tenant environments.

• Q: What workloads is this switch best suited for?

  A: It excels in dense server environments, virtualization, cloud and multi‑tenant deployments, and data center fabrics requiring low latency, high throughput, and flexible uplink options.