HPE SN8500C/SN8700C 48-Port 32Gb Fibre Channel Director Module

The HPE SN8500C/SN8700C 48-Port 32Gb Fibre Channel Director Module is engineered for mission-critical data centers that demand extreme performance, unmatched reliability, and simplified SAN management. As part of HPE’s C-series SN8700C family, this director module is purpose-built to consolidate storage networks, reduce hardware footprints, and lower total costs of ownership. It delivers dense port capacity, high-throughput fabric services, and scalable, non-blocking switching that supports demanding workloads from large databases and virtualized environments to backup and disaster recovery pipelines. With forward-looking features designed for modern data centers, the SN8500C/SN8700C helps enterprises consolidate multiple SANs into streamlined fabrics, enabling smoother growth, easier management, and stronger service levels across the enterprise.

• 48 x 32Gb Fibre Channel ports deliver full line-rate, consistent performance across large consolidated SAN fabrics. This dense port count supports expansive storage pools, reduces path contention, and improves I/O predictability for latency-sensitive workloads such as databases, analytics, and virtualization platforms. The high-speed ports are designed to handle peak workloads while maintaining low latency, so storage operations—from OLTP transactions to large-scale backups—proceed with reliability and speed.
• Director-class reliability and resiliency, featuring redundant, hot-swappable components and non-disruptive upgrades. The SN8500C/SN8700C is built to operate in the highest-demand environments with fault-tolerant power and cooling options, enabling maintenance to occur without impacting business-critical services. Its architecture supports graceful failover and continuous fabric operation, helping you meet stringent service-level agreements.
• Scalability and future-proofing for growing SANs. The module integrates seamlessly within HPE SN8700C-based architectures, enabling you to expand fabric capacity as your storage footprint grows. Whether you’re consolidating multiple silos or expanding a single large fabric, this director module provides a clear upgrade path without major rework to your network topology.
• Advanced management and analytics for visibility and control. When paired with HPE management tools, you gain comprehensive fabric health monitoring, zoning capabilities, firmware provisioning, performance analytics, and centralized visibility across multiple switches and directors. The result is faster troubleshooting, improved change control, and better capacity planning across your SAN environment.
• Security, policy enforcement, and reliability at scale. The SN8500C/SN8700C supports fabric-level security features, role-based access controls, and robust firmware management to protect your data paths. Zoning, access controls, and secure firmware updates help maintain a trusted storage network while minimizing risk and exposure in multi-tenant or highly regulated environments.

Technical Details of HPE SN8500C/SN8700C 48-Port 32Gb Fibre Channel Director Module

• Product family: HPE SN8500C / SN8700C
• Ports: 48 ports of 32Gb Fibre Channel
• Port speed: 32Gbps per port, designed for high-throughput enterprise storage fabrics
• Form factor: Director module for HPE C-series SN8700C fabric environment
• Architecture: Non-blocking or highly scalable fabric switching suitable for large SAN deployments
• Compatibility: Designed to operate within the HPE SN8700C/SN8500C family and integrate with the broader HPE SAN ecosystem
• Management integration: Works with HPE management solutions for fabric provisioning, monitoring, and firmware updates
• Availability features: Redundant components and hot-swappable design support maintenance with minimal downtime

How to Install HPE SN8500C/SN8700C 48-Port 32Gb Fibre Channel Director Module

• Plan the deployment by validating chassis compatibility, slot availability, and the target fabric topology. Ensure you have the correct firmware baseline and a maintenance window if required by your environment. Prepare any required zoning and WWN plans to accelerate post-install configuration.
• Power down or follow hot-swap procedures as supported by your director chassis. If hot-swapping is approved, comply with the manufacturer’s guidelines to safely remove the existing module and prepare the spare for installation.
• Insert the new SN8500C/SN8700C director module into the designated slot(s) in the SAN director chassis. Ensure the module is firmly seated and secure any locking mechanisms as specified by the enclosure design. Verify red/green indicators indicate proper power and interconnect status.
• Connect the 48 Fibre Channel ports to your storage arrays, fabric switches, or other SAN components as per your topology. Use appropriate transceivers/cables and ensure proper fiber polarity and link integrity. Label connections to simplify ongoing management and troubleshooting.
• Power on and perform an initial system health check. Access the management interface to verify firmware integrity, port status, and fabric connectivity. Apply the latest recommended firmware and perform baseline performance tests, zoning verification, and path testing to ensure the fabric meets your service levels.

Frequently asked questions

• What does the HPE SN8500C/SN8700C 48-Port 32Gb Fibre Channel Director Module offer? This director module provides dense 48-port 32Gbps Fibre Channel connectivity, designed for enterprise SAN consolidation, high availability, and scalable performance within HPE SN8700C-based fabrics. It combines capacity for expansive storage environments with robust reliability and integrated management features to simplify fabric operations.
• Is this module hot-swappable? Yes. The SN8500C/SN8700C director modules are designed for hot-swappable operation within compatible chassis, enabling maintenance and upgrades with minimal downtime. Always follow the vendor’s guidelines for hot-swapping and ensure power and grounding precautions are observed.
• What workloads benefit most from this director module? Large-scale databases, virtualization platforms (VMware, Hyper-V, etc.), data protection and backup pipelines, and analytics workloads that demand predictable latency, high throughput, and scalable fabric infrastructure benefit from the dense port counts and fast 32Gbps connections.
• How does this module help with SAN consolidation and TCO reduction? By consolidating multiple SANs into a single, scalable fabric, you reduce hardware footprint, simplify management, and lower both CAPEX and OPEX. Fewer devices to monitor, patch, and license translates into lower total cost of ownership and more straightforward capacity planning.
• What management tools work with this module? The SN8500C/SN8700C is designed to integrate with HPE SAN management solutions and related software for centralized provisioning, monitoring, firmware updates, zoning, and performance analysis. This enables a unified view of the fabric and streamlined operations across multiple switches and directors.