DS-16B2 - EMC DS-16B2 (Brocade SilkWorm 3800) Switch

Name: DS-16B2 - EMC DS-16B2 (Brocade SilkWorm 3800) Switch
Brand: EMC
SKU: DS-16B2

DS-16B2 - EMC DS-16B2 (Brocade SilkWorm 3800) Switch | US IT Hardware

Product overview

The EMC Connectrix DS-16B2 is a departmental-class fibre channel switch delivering 16 optical SFP ports at 2Gb/s per port with up to 8Gb/s switching capacity via ISL trunking. This 1U rack-mountable switch features dual redundant power supplies, hot-swappable components, and comprehensive management interfaces including Ethernet, serial RS-232, web tools, Telnet, and SNMP MIB-II support. The DS-16B2 supports auto-negotiating F_Port and E_Port configurations with ISL trunking up to 4 ports in contiguous groups, enabling reliable fabric connectivity across enterprise storage environments. Built-in reliability features include dynamic port statistics, event logging, and Fabric Watch error notification. Ideal for mid-sized SAN deployments requiring scalable, manageable fibre channel connectivity with enterprise-grade redundancy and monitoring capabilities.

16 optical SFP ports at 2Gb/s per port
Dual redundant hot-swappable power supplies
8Gb/s switching capacity via ISL trunking
SNMP, Telnet, Web, and Serial management
1U rack-mountable enterprise form factor
Fabric Watch error notification and event logging

Expedited and overnight shipping options are available at checkout, priced by destination and service.
Purchase orders accepted from qualified institutions.
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 #	DS-16B2
Brand	EMC
Condition	New
Model	DS-16B2 (Brocade SilkWorm 3800)
Product Line	Connectrix B-Series
Product Type	Departmental Fibre Channel Switch
Supported Protocols	SNMP; syslogd; Fabric Watch for error notification; standard and enterprise traps
Compliance Standards	RoHS
Reliability Features	Hot-swappable redundant power; multifunction ASICs; dynamic port statistics; event logs

Network & Communication

Compatible systems

Compatible with Dell EMC Connectrix B-Series fabrics; specific firmware via E-Lab Navigator

Dell EMC Connectrix B
Model: DS-16B/DS-8B family
Form factor: Fabric
Compatible for single or multi-switch fabrics; check E-Lab Navigator for firmware and topology

Best for

SAN Connectivity
Provides 16 optical SFP ports at 2Gb/s per port for connecting servers and storage arrays in mid-sized storage area networks, supporting auto-negotiating F_Port and E_Port configurations.
Storage Networks
Enables up to 8Gb/s switching capacity through ISL trunking with 4 E_Ports, allowing reliable fabric expansion and multi-switch deployments across enterprise data centers.
Enterprise Fabric
Supports heterogeneous fabric environments including Brocade M Series switches, with comprehensive SNMP management, syslogd, and Fabric Watch for centralized monitoring and error notification.
Departmental Consolidation
1U rack-mountable form factor with dual redundant power supplies and hot-swappable components provides high availability for departmental-level storage consolidation projects.

Details

Shipping, warranty & returns

Customer reviews

No reviews yet — be the first to review this part.

EMC Enterprise Drives

Trunking	ISL trunking up to 4 ports in contiguous groups at 2 Gb/s; max cable 300m with 30m variance
Switching Capacity	Up to 8 Gb/s trunking between switches using 4 ISL E_Ports

Power Supplies	Dual redundant power supplies
Source of Power	Power Supply

Weight	5.00 LBS
Form Factor	1U rack unit; 19-inch rack mountable; air-cooled chassis; stand-alone option
Rack-mountable	Yes

Interface/Ports

Port Speed	Up to 2 Gb/s per port; auto-negotiating F_Port or E_Port
Network Ports	16 optical SFP ports; 1 RJ-45 Ethernet 10/100 Mb/s; 1 RS-232 serial DB-9
Controller/Indicator	Power LED; Port speed LED; Port status LED
Management Interface	Ethernet 10/100BaseT; Serial RS-232; Web Tool; Telnet; Fabric Manager; SNMP MIB-II

How many servers and storage arrays can the DS-16B2 connect?

The DS-16B2 provides 16 optical SFP ports at 2Gb/s each, supporting up to 16 direct connections. In fabric mode with multiple switches, it can support 126 NL_Ports and 1 FL_Port per loop. Actual capacity depends on fabric topology, port configuration (F_Port vs E_Port), and whether ports are used for inter-switch trunking.

What is the maximum distance for fibre channel cable runs?

The DS-16B2 supports up to 300 meters of fibre channel cable with 30-meter variance tolerance. This enables connectivity across large data centers and campus environments. Actual distances depend on cable type, connector quality, and environmental conditions.

Can the DS-16B2 be mixed with newer Brocade switches?

Yes, the DS-16B2 supports heterogeneous fabric configurations including Brocade M Series switches. This allows gradual infrastructure upgrades without requiring simultaneous replacement of all switches, protecting existing investments while adding newer technology.

What management options are available for remote administration?

The switch supports SNMP MIB-II, Telnet, web-based management tools, Fabric Manager integration, and serial RS-232 console access. It includes one 10/100Mb/s Ethernet management port for out-of-band administration, enabling remote monitoring and configuration from enterprise management platforms.

How does ISL trunking improve performance?

ISL trunking aggregates up to 4 E_Ports in contiguous groups, delivering 8Gb/s inter-switch bandwidth. This enables larger multi-switch fabrics with higher throughput between switches without requiring individual higher-speed ports, providing cost-effective scalability.

What happens if one power supply fails?

The DS-16B2 features dual redundant hot-swappable power supplies, ensuring continuous operation if one supply fails. The failed unit can be replaced without powering down the switch, maintaining SAN availability during maintenance.

What monitoring and alerting capabilities does the switch provide?

The DS-16B2 includes Fabric Watch for proactive error notification, dynamic port statistics, event logging, and standard/enterprise SNMP traps. These features enable integration with enterprise monitoring systems for centralized alerting, capacity planning, and compliance documentation.

EMC DS-16B2 (Brocade SilkWorm 3800) Switch

Product overview

Featuring

Network & Communication

Compatible systems

Best for

Details

Shipping, warranty & returns

Customer reviews

Power Consumption

Physical Characteristics

Interface/Ports

Frequently asked questions

EMC DS-16B2 (Brocade SilkWorm 3800) Switch

Product overview

Featuring

Network & Communication

Compatible systems

Best for

Details

Shipping, warranty & returns

Customer reviews

Shop these collections

Power Consumption

Physical Characteristics

Interface/Ports

Frequently asked questions