What port configuration does the HPE C8S46A provide?

The C8S46A features 28 ports at 16Gbps FC: 16 internal ports connect directly to HPE BladeSystem c-Class blades, while 12 external ports enable fabric uplinks. This setup supports full fabric connectivity with non-blocking throughput up to 16Gbps per port for high-density SAN deployments.

What management options are available on C8S46A?

Brocade Fabric OS provides Web Tools for GUI management, CLI for scripting, and built-in diagnostics for port health, fabric analysis, and performance monitoring. Role-based access control ensures secure administration in enterprise environments.

Is the C8S46A suitable for virtualized data centers?

Yes, its 16Gbps non-blocking FC supports VMware vMotion, Hyper-V live migration, and multi-path I/O for VMs. 28 ports handle east-west storage traffic efficiently in blade enclosures, reducing latency for consolidated workloads.

What security features does it include?

In-flight encryption protects data on FC links, while RBAC limits access by role. Supports FC zoning, port authentication, and compliance with RoHS, CE, UL, FCC standards for secure SAN fabrics.

What is the form factor and power setup?

Embedded form factor for HPE BladeSystem c-Class with dimensions 43.2 x 29.2 x 4.4 cm. Dual redundant, hot-pluggable power supplies ensure high availability; operates 0-40°C for data center reliability.

How does it integrate with HPE BladeSystem?

Plugs into interconnect bays of c7000/c3000 enclosures, auto-configuring with internal blades via mezzanine cards. Compatible with Brocade SFPs like QK836A and OM4 cables for external FC directors.

C8S46A - HPE 16Gb/28c Embedded SAN Switch Switch

Name: C8S46A - HPE 16Gb/28c Embedded SAN Switch Switch
Brand: HPE
SKU: C8S46A
Price: 1068 USD
Availability: InStock

C8S46A - HPE 16Gb/28c Embedded SAN Switch Switch | US IT Hardware

Product overview

The HPE C8S46A Brocade 16Gb/28c Embedded SAN Switch integrates directly into HPE BladeSystem c-Class enclosures, enabling high-performance Fibre Channel connectivity at 16Gbps across 28 ports, including 16 internal blade connections and 12 external uplinks. Its non-blocking architecture ensures wire-speed forwarding for demanding enterprise storage workloads, supporting full fabric connectivity and protocols like FC and FCoE. Key features include Brocade Fabric OS for robust management via Web Tools and CLI, in-flight encryption, role-based access control, and built-in diagnostics for proactive monitoring. Efficient power management with dual redundant hot-pluggable supplies minimizes downtime in data centers. Ideal for virtualization, cloud storage, and high-availability SAN fabrics, it scales seamlessly while reducing footprint and operational complexity in blade-based deployments.

28 ports at 16Gbps Fibre Channel speed enabled.
Non-blocking architecture for full wire-speed performance.
16 internal and 12 external ports for blade connectivity.
Brocade Fabric OS with Web Tools and CLI management.
In-flight encryption and role-based access control included.
Dual redundant hot-pluggable power supplies standard.

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

Switch Class
Manufacturer part #	C8S46A
Brand	HPE
Condition	Refurbished
Model	16Gb/28c Embedded SAN Switch
Fabric OS	Brocade Fabric OS
Compliance	RoHS, CE, UL, FCC
Management	Web Tools, CLI
Diagnostics	Built-in Diagnostics
Architecture	Non-blocking
Product Line	Brocade
Product Type	Embedded SAN Switch

Compatible systems

Optimized for HPE BladeSystem c-Class enclosures with Brocade FC ecosystem; supports standard SFPs and Fabric OS upgrades.

HPE BladeSystem
Model: c-Class
Form factor: Enclosure Interconnect
Generation: c7000/c3000
Direct embedded integration; 16 internal ports to blades

Best for

Enterprise SAN
Connects blade servers to shared storage arrays via 16Gbps FC for high-throughput block access.
Data Center
Provides embedded switching in HPE BladeSystem c-Class for scalable fabric expansion.
Blade Virtualization
Supports VMotion and hypervisor storage traffic with low-latency 28-port connectivity.
Storage Fabrics
Enables full fabric zoning and trunking for multi-tier SAN environments.
HPC Clustering
Delivers non-blocking bandwidth for compute-intensive workloads in blade clusters.
Cloud Infrastructure
Integrates private cloud storage with encryption and RBAC for secure data paths.

Details

Shipping, warranty & returns

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Data Rate	16 Gbps
Maximum Frame Size	2112 bytes

Security	Role-Based Access Control (RBAC)
Encryption	In-flight encryption

HPE 16Gb/28c Embedded SAN Switch Switch

Product overview

Featuring

Compatible systems

Best for

Details

Shipping, warranty & returns

Customer reviews

Network & Communication

Security

Power Consumption

Physical Characteristics

Environmental

Interface/Ports

Frequently asked questions