What are the port specifications of the HP A7346A switch?

The switch features 8 Fibre Channel ports supporting 1Gb/2Gb auto-sensing speeds. Ports are universal (F, FL, E) with self-configuring capabilities and SFP connectors. Line speed is 2.125 Gb/s full-duplex, providing non-blocking performance with <2 µsec latency and 2112-byte max frame size.

Is this switch rack-mountable?

Yes, it is a rack-mountable switch designed for 1U spaces in enterprise racks. Includes compatibility with air baffle and rack kits for optimized installation and cooling in data centers.

What Fibre Channel speeds does it support?

Supports 1Gb/2Gb speeds with auto-sensing and programmable fixed modes. Ensures interoperability with legacy devices while delivering 32 Gb full switching capacity in non-blocking architecture.

What is the fabric scalability?

Scales to a maximum of 4 switches in a SAN fabric. Supports ISL trunking to aggregate up to four inter-switch links for enhanced throughput between switches.

What applications is it suited for?

Ideal for entry-level SANs including backup, server clustering, OLTP, video streaming, and medical imaging. Universal ports and 1Gb/2Gb speeds match diverse storage needs in SMB/enterprise edge deployments.

Is it based on Brocade technology?

Yes, modeled after Brocade Silkworm 3250/3240. Part of HP StorageWorks line, ensuring compatibility with Brocade fabrics and proven reliability for Fibre Channel environments.

A7346A - HP FC 1Gb/2Gb 8B switch (Brocade Silkworm 3250 / 3240) Switch

Name: A7346A - HP FC 1Gb/2Gb 8B switch (Brocade Silkworm 3250 / 3240) Switch
Brand: HP
SKU: A7346A
Price: 330 USD
Availability: InStock

A7346A - HP FC 1Gb/2Gb 8B switch (Brocade Silkworm 3250 / 3240) Switch | US IT Hardware

Product overview

The HP FC 1Gb/2Gb 8B Switch (SKU: A7346A) is an entry-level Fibre Channel SAN switch from the StorageWorks product line, equivalent to the Brocade Silkworm 3250/3240 model. It features 8 Fibre Channel ports supporting 1Gb/2Gb auto-sensing speeds, enabling reliable connectivity in small to medium SAN environments. As a rack-mountable unit, it integrates seamlessly into enterprise data centers for storage networking. Key capabilities include universal port types (F, FL, E) for flexible fabric integration, non-blocking architecture for sustained throughput, and compatibility with Brocade-based fabrics. Ideal for applications like backup, clustering, and data replication, it supports up to 4 switches in a fabric. Procurement teams value its cost-effective scalability and interoperability with legacy 1Gb/2Gb devices, ensuring smooth upgrades without full infrastructure replacement. Physical design facilitates easy deployment in 1U racks.

8 FC ports at 1Gb/2Gb auto-sensing speeds
Rack-mountable 1U form for enterprise data centers
Universal F/FL/E ports with non-blocking throughput
StorageWorks line, Brocade Silkworm 3250/3240 base
Scales to 4-switch fabrics with ISL trunking
Entry-level SAN switch for backup and clustering

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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 #	A7346A
Brand	HP
Condition	Refurbished
Model	HP FC 1Gb/2Gb 8B switch (Brocade Silkworm 3250 / 3240)
Product Line	StorageWorks
Product Type	Entry-level Fibre Channel SAN switch
Classes of Service	Class 2, Class 3, Class F (inter-switch frames)
Maximum Fabric Size	4 switches in a SAN fabric

Network & Communication

Line Speed	2.125 Gb/s full duplex

Compatible systems

Compatible with HP 9000 Superdome and rack servers in SAN backup configurations; HP-UX supported

HP HP 9000
Model: Superdome Enterprise Server
Form factor: Rack
Used in TPC-C benchmark configurations
HP HP9000 Std. Rack System
Model: E41
Form factor: Rack
Used in TPC-C benchmark configurations

Best for

Entry-Level SAN
Provides 8 FC ports at 1Gb/2Gb speeds for building small fabrics up to 4 switches. Rack-mountable form suits compact data centers.
Backup & Replication
Supports non-blocking 1Gb/2Gb throughput for reliable data transfer in backup scenarios. Universal ports ensure compatibility with existing storage arrays.
Server Clustering
Enables high-availability clusters with F/FL/E port types and auto-sensing speeds. Ideal for OLTP and medical imaging workloads.
Edge Connectivity
Deploys as edge switch in larger fabrics, leveraging 1Gb/2Gb FC for cost-effective extension.

Details

Shipping, warranty & returns

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Voltage	85 to 264 VAC
Frequency	47 to 63 Hz

Port Types	FL_Port, F_Port, E_Port; self-discovery based on switch type (U_Port)
Network Ports	8 Fibre Channel ports; 1Gb/2Gb speeds

HP FC 1Gb/2Gb 8B switch (Brocade Silkworm 3250 / 3240) 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