BR-6520-48-16G-R - Brocade 6520 BR-6520-48-16G-R 48x16Gbps SFP+ FC Switch

Name: Brocade 6520 BR-6520-48-16G-R 48x16Gbps SFP+ FC Switch
Brand: Brocade
SKU: BR-6520-48-16G-R
Price: 7505 USD
Availability: InStock

BR-6520-48-16G-R - Brocade 6520 BR-6520-48-16G-R 48x16Gbps SFP+ FC Switch | US IT Hardware

Product overview

The Brocade BR-6520-48-16G-R is a Gen 5 Fibre Channel SAN switch delivering 48 active 16 Gbps SFP+ ports with 1,536 Gbps aggregate switching capacity in a compact 2U rack-mountable form factor. The switch features 700 nanosecond fabric latency for locally switched ports and supports auto-sensing speeds from 2 to 16 Gbps, ensuring backward compatibility with existing infrastructure. Scalable to 96 total ports via Ports on Demand, the BR-6520-48-16G-R includes dual hot-swappable 1100W power supplies, 8,192 dynamically allocated frame buffers, and integrated in-flight encryption and compression capabilities. Advanced features include Dynamic Path Selection for optimized multi-path routing, Buffer Credit Recovery for extended distance connectivity, and comprehensive Fabric Vision diagnostics. The switch supports industry-standard Fibre Channel protocols (FC-BB-5, FC-FS-3, FC-GS-6) and accommodates various SFP+ transceiver types, making it ideal for mission-critical enterprise data centers requiring high-performance storage networking with investment protection and flexible growth options.

1,536 Gbps switching capacity; 48 active 16Gbps ports
700ns fabric latency; 8,192 frame buffers
Scalable to 96 ports via Ports on Demand
Dual 1100W hot-swappable power supplies
In-flight encryption & compression; 10Gbps DWDM
Auto-sensing 2/4/8/10/16 Gbps; backward compatible

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Refunds within 14 days and replacements within 30 days of delivery with an RMA (25% restocking fee on customer-initiated returns), and every part carries our Standard 30-Day Warranty - see our return policy or contact US IT Hardware.

Featuring

Manufacturer part #	BR-6520-48-16G-R
Brand	Brocade
Condition	New
Model	6520
Port Types	E_Port, F_Port, M_Port, D_Port, EX_Port
Scalability	Full fabric up to 239 switches; certified 6000 nodes, 56 switches, 19 hops
Product Line	Brocade 6520
Product Type	Fibre Channel SAN Switch
Frame Buffers	8192 dynamically allocated
Fabric Latency	700 ns locally switched ports; 2.1 μsec between port groups at 16 Gbps
Management Access	10/100/1000 Mbps Ethernet RJ-45; in-band over Fibre Channel; serial RJ-45; USB port

Compatible systems

No specific server or OS compatibility lists found in sources

Best for

Enterprise SAN Environments
Ideal for large-scale storage area networks requiring high-performance connectivity. The 48 active 16 Gbps ports with 1,536 Gbps switching capacity support mission-critical applications with 700 nanosecond latency for locally switched ports.
Data Center Consolidation
The 2U form factor with 96-port scalability via Ports on Demand allows organizations to consolidate multiple smaller switches into a single chassis, reducing power consumption, cooling requirements, and management overhead.
Storage Replication & Metro Extension
Integrated in-flight encryption and compression capabilities support secure data transmission over distance, with support for up to 10 Gbps DWDM connectivity for metro extension to private or hybrid cloud environments.
Virtualized Workload Environments
Native support for virtualization technologies and storage replication protocols ensures optimal performance for dynamic workloads. Dynamic Path Selection optimizes fabric-wide performance and load balancing across virtualized infrastructure.
High-Availability Infrastructure
Dual redundant power supplies, hot-swappable components, and comprehensive fault tolerance mechanisms ensure continuous operation for business-critical applications requiring 24/7 availability.

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Classes of Service	Class 2, Class 3, Class F (inter-switch frames)

Data Transfer Rate	16 Gbps Fibre Channel full duplex; auto-sensing 2/4/8/10/16 Gbps

Maximum Frame Size	2112-byte payload

Switching Capacity	1536 Gbps at 96 ports x 16 Gbps

Voltage Input	85-264 V AC; 47-63 Hz
Power Supplies	Two 1100W AC power supplies; hot-swappable
Power Consumption	464 W maximum with 96 ports populated 16Gbps optics; 183 W empty chassis

Dimensions	Width: 429.25 mm (16.90 in.); Height: 2U; Depth: not specified
Form Factor	Rack-mountable 2U chassis

Shock	Operating: 20 G 6 ms half-sine; Non-operating: 33 G 11 ms half-sine
Airflow	Back-to-front airflow
Vibration	Operating: 0.5 g sine, 0.4 grms random 5-500 Hz

Network Ports	1 x RJ-45 Ethernet management port
Fibre Channel Ports	48 active SFP+ ports; scalable to 96 total via Ports on Demand

What is the maximum switching capacity of the BR-6520-48-16G-R?

The BR-6520-48-16G-R delivers 1,536 Gbps aggregate switching capacity when fully populated with 96 ports at 16 Gbps each. In the base configuration with 48 active ports, the switch provides 768 Gbps of switching capacity. This full-duplex performance ensures no bandwidth bottlenecks for mission-critical SAN environments.

Can the switch be expanded beyond 48 ports?

Yes. The BR-6520-48-16G-R supports Ports on Demand (PoD) scalability, allowing expansion from 48 to 96 active ports in 24-port increments. This provides cost-effective capacity growth without requiring chassis replacement, protecting your infrastructure investment while enabling flexible expansion as business needs evolve.

What is the fabric latency performance?

Fabric latency for locally switched ports is 700 nanoseconds, with 2.1 microsecond latency between port groups at 16 Gbps cut-through routing. This ultra-low latency is critical for latency-sensitive workloads and ensures predictable performance for real-time storage applications in enterprise environments.

Does the switch support backward compatibility with older Fibre Channel speeds?

Yes. The BR-6520-48-16G-R features auto-sensing port speed negotiation supporting 2, 4, 8, 10, and 16 Gbps, ensuring seamless integration with existing infrastructure. This eliminates the need for forklift upgrades and provides a clear upgrade path for organizations transitioning to 16 Gbps performance.

What redundancy features are included?

The switch includes dual hot-swappable 1100W AC power supplies, redundant cooling systems, and comprehensive fault tolerance mechanisms. These features ensure continuous operation in mission-critical environments. Hot-swappable components enable maintenance and upgrades without downtime.

What security features does the BR-6520-48-16G-R provide?

The switch includes integrated in-flight encryption and compression capabilities, supporting up to 10 Gbps DWDM connectivity for secure metro extension to private or hybrid cloud environments. These integrated features eliminate the need for separate security appliances, reducing total cost of ownership while maintaining enterprise-grade data protection.

What management interfaces are available?

Management access includes 10/100/1000 Mbps Ethernet RJ-45 for out-of-band management, in-band management over Fibre Channel, serial RJ-45 console port, and USB port. Fabric Vision technology provides proactive monitoring and diagnostics capabilities, enabling comprehensive SAN visibility and rapid issue resolution.

Brocade 6520 BR-6520-48-16G-R 48x16Gbps SFP+ FC Switch

Product overview

Featuring

Compatible systems

Best for

Details

Shipping, warranty & returns

Customer reviews

Power Consumption

Physical Characteristics

Environmental

Interface/Ports

Frequently asked questions