HPE SN6720C 64Gb 48/48 32Gb Short Wave SFP+ Fibre Channel v2 Switch

The HPE SN6720C is engineered to be the backbone of high-performance storage networks, delivering predictable, low-latency Fibre Channel connectivity for all-flash arrays and heavily virtualized environments. Built to scale with contemporary data center demand, this switch provides 64 Gbps and 32 Gbps per-port performance across the fabric, ensuring that every connection—from servers to storage arrays—receives consistent, isolated bandwidth. With an aggregate bandwidth up to 3 Tbps, the SN6720C enables sustained IOPS for demanding workloads, helping organizations achieve faster data access, improved application responsiveness, and smoother operation of mission-critical services. The inclusion of Short Wave SFP+ optics adds deployment flexibility, allowing data centers to optimize reach and density without compromising performance. In short, the SN6720C is designed for enterprises seeking a resilient, scalable, and future-ready Fibre Channel solution that keeps pace with the evolution of storage architectures, including multi-site replication, hyper-converged platforms, and virtualized data centers.

• Blazing-fast per-port speeds — Enjoy consistent 64 Gbps and 32 Gbps Fibre Channel performance on every port, delivering low-latency data paths for latency-sensitive applications and multi-tier storage environments.
• Enterprise-grade throughput — An impressive aggregate bandwidth up to 3 Tbps enables sustained data movement across large SAN fabrics, minimizing congestion and keeping I/O queues shallow even under heavy workloads.
• All-flash and virtualized workloads optimized — Specifically designed to support all-flash arrays and virtualized workloads, delivering predictable performance for virtual machines, databases, and analytics platforms that demand rapid, consistent storage responses.
• Flexible optics with Short Wave SFP+ support — Short Wave transceivers expand deployment options, enabling longer reach between data-center racks, distant SAN arrays, or multi-site configurations without sacrificing speed or reliability.
• Open, scalable management — Seamlessly integrates with HPE management ecosystems and standard storage networking practices, providing centralized control, easy provisioning, and robust fabric services to simplify day-to-day operations.

Technical Details of HPE SN6720C

• Model: HPE SN6720C Storage Fibre Channel Switch (C-Series)
• Data rates per port: 64 Gbps and 32 Gbps Fibre Channel support for flexible, high-performance connectivity
• Optics: Short Wave SFP+ transceiver compatibility (v2) to enable optimized reach and density
• Aggregate bandwidth: Up to 3 Tbps, enabling large-scale SAN fabrics to move data efficiently
• Fabric performance: Low-latency, non-blocking or near non-blocking behavior to sustain IOPS in mixed-workload environments
• Deployment orientation: Designed for enterprise SANs that host all-flash arrays, virtual machines, and virtualized data-center workloads

How to install HPE SN6720C

• Plan your SAN topology by mapping hosts, storage arrays, and inter-switch links. Gather the required 32 Gbps and 64 Gbps Fibre Channel cabling and ensure compatible Short Wave SFP+ optics are available for the intended distances.
• Physically install the SN6720C in an appropriate data-center rack, ensuring proper cooling, mounting, and power connections. Verify that power supplies and fans (if applicable in your chassis) are properly connected and operational.
• Connect initial fabric links from servers and storage arrays to the switch ports. Use proper zoning and mask configuration to segment the fabric according to your security and topology requirements.
• Access the switch management interface (console or management network) and apply baseline configuration. Set up management IPs, users, SNMP settings, and fabric parameters, then enable essential features for your environment.
• Validate fabric health by running connectivity tests, verifying LUN visibility, and benchmarking throughput to ensure the SAN fabric meets your performance targets before production workloads are introduced.

Frequently asked questions

• What is the HPE SN6720C best used for? — It is a high-performance Fibre Channel switch designed for SAN environments, optimized for all-flash arrays and virtualized workloads, delivering low latency and high throughput across the fabric.
• What speeds does the SN6720C support? — The switch supports per-port speeds of 32 Gbps and 64 Gbps Fibre Channel, enabling flexible deployment to match your storage and compute needs.
• Is it suitable for all-flash arrays? — Yes. The architecture and bandwidth are tailored to sustain the high IOPS and low-latency requirements of all-flash storage environments.
• Can I integrate it with virtualized environments? — Absolutely. The SN6720C is designed to support virtualization workloads and multi-tenant configurations, helping optimize consolidation and resource utilization while preserving isolation and performance.
• How is the switch managed? — It integrates with HPE management tools and standard SAN management practices, providing centralized control, fabric configuration, monitoring, and firmware updates to simplify operations.