HP StorageWorks 4/8 Base SAN Switch

HP Updated: 2008-09-20 RSS
HP StorageWorks 4/8 Base SAN Switch

The HP StorageWorks 4/8 Base SAN Switch and 4/8 SAN Switch offer 4Gb connectivity for entry-level storage area networks (SAN), and the ability to grow to a core-to-edge infrastructure. The simplicity and ease-of-use advantages of these switches help increase administrator productivity and lower the cost of management.  Both switches deliver eight (upgradeable to16) high performance Auto Sensing 1, 2, and 4Gb/s Fibre Channel ports.  An optional 4 port activation license increases the number of active ports to 12 or 16 ports.  Plus, the 4/8 SAN switch and 4/8 SAN Switch are fully non-blocking and provide 64 to 128Gb end to end switching (4Gb full duplex) bandwidth. The 4/8 Base model provides single-switch connectivity for a new, simple SAN installation and connects to storage and servers only. The 4/8 SAN Switch scales to full SAN configurations defined in the SAN Design Guide.  Small-form-factor-pluggable optical transceivers (SFPs) must be ordered separately. The optional Power Pack software bundle provides the SAN administrator with the necessary tools to monitor the health and performance of the network. Power Pack software provides a SAN administrator the capability to manage their entire environment through a single-pane-of-glass.

Features

* High performance, availability and scalability: Superior ROI and investment protection
* 4Gb/s performance: Provides ability to configure a more efficient SAN configuration by reducing total number of ISLs. You will require ½ the number of 2Gb/s ISLs.
* Ports on demand, pay as you grow: Ability to add more ports when needed. Pay for connectivity you use.
* Faster backup: Reduces LAN traffic and delivers a more reliable backup and restore solution.
* High performance interconnect to handle the most demanding applications: Advanced architecture with intelligent routing and faster fabric services for provide a high performance
* Ability to create a secure infrastructure: Multi-protocol and LUN-level Zoning features. Full support for optional Secure Fabric OS.
* Flexible management tools to manage large SANs: Multi-switch fabric tools for easy configuration and monitoring convenient power pack options.
* ISL Trunking and Advanced Performance Monitoring to prevent fabric bottlenecks: Ability to create 32 port trunks to efficiently utilize inter switch links
* Simple Web tools software: Removes some of the complexity when installing and managing a SAN
* Investment protection: Fully compatible with and sharing a common code base with existing B-series switches.