## General Information on HPE AK860B ### Key Manufacturer Details ? Brand: Hewlett Packard Enterprise (HPE) ? Model: AK860B ? Product Category: Networking Equipment ### Core Product Specifications ? Product Type: Networking Switch ? Design: Plug-In Module ? Switch Ports: 48 x SFP ? Technology: Fibre Channel ## Expansion and Connectivity Features ### Port Details ? Total Ports: 48 ? Port Type: SFP (Small Form-Factor Pluggable) ? Interface Type: Mini-GBIC (Gigabit Interface Converter) ### Module Configuration ? Pre-Installed Modules: 48 ? Maximum Expandable Modules: Up to 48 #### Reliability and Performance ? Ideal for high-speed data transmissions using Fibre Channel technology ? Supports advanced networking requirements with scalable module configurations ##### Best Use Cases ? Data center environments demanding high port density ? Scalable network infrastructures ## Port Count The HPE AK860B SAN Director is equipped with an impressive port count of 48, making it an ideal solution for organizations with high-performance storage requirements. This feature offers numerous benefits and plays a crucial role in meeting the increasing demand for data storage and retrieval. ### Improved Scalability With 48 ports, the HPE AK860B SAN Director allows for seamless scalability. As businesses grow and data volumes increase, having a high port count ensures that there are enough connections available to accommodate additional storage devices. This scalability eliminates the need for costly hardware upgrades or the acquisition of additional SAN directors. ### Enhanced Performance The higher the port count, the more simultaneous data transfers can occur. This results in enhanced performance and improved efficiency within the storage infrastructure. The HPE AK860B SAN Director’s 48 ports enable multiple servers and storage systems to connect simultaneously, allowing for faster data access and retrieval. This is especially beneficial in environments where large volumes of data need to be processed quickly, such as financial institutions or healthcare organizations. ### Reduced Latency Latency refers to the delay between a request for data and its delivery. In storage environments with a large number of users and devices, high latency can significantly impact productivity. The HPE AK860B SAN Director’s 48 ports help reduce latency by distributing data requests across multiple connections. This ensures that data is delivered promptly, minimizing delays and improving overall system performance. ### Flexibility and Redundancy A high port count offers greater flexibility when it comes to configuring storage networks. The HPE AK860B SAN Director’s 48 ports allow administrators to create redundant paths, ensuring uninterrupted access to critical data even in the event of a failure or maintenance activity. Redundancy is essential for organizations that cannot afford downtime, such as e-commerce platforms or large enterprises with mission-critical applications. #### High Availability By leveraging the 48 ports of the HPE AK860B SAN Director, organizations can achieve high availability for their storage infrastructure. The redundant paths created through multiple connections ensure that if one port or link fails, traffic can automatically be rerouted through an alternate path. This eliminates single points of failure and guarantees continuous data availability. #### Load Balancing The HPE AK860B SAN Director’s 48 ports enable load balancing across multiple storage devices and servers. Load balancing distributes data traffic evenly across available connections, preventing bottlenecks and optimizing performance. This feature is particularly valuable in environments with heavy workloads or where data-intensive applications are in use. #### Future-Proof Investment Investing in a SAN director with a high port count like the HPE AK860B ensures that organizations are prepared for future growth and increasing data storage requirements. As technology advances and data volumes continue to expand, having a scalable and flexible infrastructure becomes a necessity. The 48 ports offered by this SAN director provide ample room for expansion, protecting organizations’ investments in the long run. ## Port Speed The HPE AK860B SAN Director boasts an impressive port speed of 8GB, providing organizations with high-speed connectivity for their storage networks. This feature offers numerous benefits and is critical in ensuring efficient data transfer and access. ### Increased Throughput With an 8GB port speed, the HPE AK860B SAN Director enables faster data transfer rates between storage devices and servers. This increased throughput accelerates data-intensive operations such as backups, restores, and replication. Organizations dealing with large datasets or time-sensitive applications can benefit greatly from the improved performance offered by this high-speed port. ### Improved Workload Performance The 8GB port speed of the HPE AK860B SAN Director ensures that data can be accessed and processed quickly, resulting in improved workload performance. Applications that rely on real-time data processing, such as online transaction processing (OLTP) or data analytics, require fast access to data. The high-speed ports offered by this SAN director ensure that such applications can operate at peak efficiency without experiencing delays or bottlenecks. ### Efficient Resource Utilization By leveraging the 8GB port speed, organizations can optimize their resource utilization. The high-speed connectivity allows for faster data transfers, reducing the time required for data-intensive tasks. This translates into increased productivity and efficient utilization of storage infrastructure resources. #### Reduced Backup Windows In organizations with large amounts of data to back up, the 8GB port speed significantly reduces backup windows. With faster data transfer rates, backups can be completed more quickly, ensuring that critical data is protected without causing disruptions to normal business operations. #### Real-Time Data Replication Real-time data replication is crucial for organizations that require continuous availability and minimal data loss in the event of a disaster or system failure. The 8GB port speed offered by the HPE AK860B SAN Director enables real-time replication by ensuring that data changes are efficiently and rapidly transmitted to remote sites. This feature allows organizations to maintain up-to-date copies of their data and minimize recovery point objectives (RPOs). #### Improved Virtualization Performance Virtualized environments place significant demands on storage infrastructure. The 8GB port speed of the HPE AK860B SAN Director ensures that virtual machines can access their storage resources quickly and efficiently. This results in improved virtualization performance and reduced latency, allowing organizations to maximize the benefits of their virtualized environments. ## Technology The HPE AK860B SAN Director utilizes Fibre Channel technology, a proven and reliable protocol for storage networking. This technology offers numerous benefits and is widely adopted in enterprise-level storage environments. ### High Performance Fibre Channel technology provides high performance and low latency, making it ideal for demanding storage applications. With its dedicated network infrastructure and high-speed connectivity, Fibre Channel allows for fast data transfer rates and efficient access to storage resources. The HPE AK860B SAN Director’s utilization of Fibre Channel ensures that organizations can achieve the performance levels required by their critical applications. ### Secure Data Transmission Data security is a top priority for organizations, particularly when it comes to sensitive or confidential information. Fibre Channel technology offers inherent security features, including data integrity checks and encryption capabilities. The HPE AK860B SAN Director’s use of Fibre Channel ensures that data is transmitted securely, protecting against unauthorized access or data breaches. ### Reliability and Availability Fibre Channel is known for its high reliability and availability. This technology has been extensively tested and proven in enterprise environments, making it a trusted choice for critical applications. The HPE AK860B SAN Director’s utilization of Fibre Channel ensures that organizations can rely on a stable and robust storage network, minimizing the risk of downtime or data loss. #### Scalability Fibre Channel technology offers excellent scalability, allowing organizations to expand their storage networks as needed. The HPE AK860B SAN Director’s use of Fibre Channel ensures that organizations can easily add new storage devices or servers without compromising performance or introducing complexities into the network infrastructure. This scalability enables organizations to meet growing storage demands without significant disruptions or costly upgrades. #### Interoperability Fibre Channel is an industry-standard protocol that enjoys widespread adoption among storage vendors. This interoperability ensures that the HPE AK860B SAN Director can seamlessly integrate with other Fibre Channel devices and solutions. The ability to work with a wide range of storage components and vendors provides organizations with the flexibility to choose the most suitable solutions for their specific needs. #### Investment Protection Investing in Fibre Channel technology, as offered by the HPE AK860B SAN Director, provides organizations with long-term investment protection. Fibre Channel has a proven track record and continues to evolve to meet the changing requirements of storage networking. By leveraging this technology, organizations can future-proof their storage infrastructure, ensuring compatibility with emerging technologies and avoiding costly migrations or replacements. ## Blade Switches The HPE AK860B SAN Director features a single blade switch, offering organizations a versatile and efficient solution to meet their storage networking needs. ### Space Efficiency The single blade switch design of the HPE AK860B SAN Director ensures efficient utilization of rack space. In environments where space is limited or expensive, consolidating multiple switches into a single blade offers significant benefits. This compact design allows organizations to optimize their data center layout and maximize the number of storage resources within a given footprint. ### Simplified Management Managing a single blade switch is much simpler and more straightforward than managing multiple switches. The HPE AK860B SAN Director’s single blade design reduces complexity, streamlines operations, and minimizes the chances of configuration errors or inconsistencies. This simplified management translates into increased efficiency and reduced administrative overhead. ### Cost Savings Consolidating multiple switches into a single blade can result in cost savings for organizations. A single blade switch requires fewer physical components, such as power supplies and cooling systems, compared to multiple standalone switches. Additionally, the reduced complexity and simplified management lead to lower operational costs over time. #### Improved Reliability A single blade switch design can enhance reliability by reducing the number of potential failure points. With fewer components, there is a lower chance of individual switch failures. The HPE AK860B SAN Director’s single blade switch design ensures that organizations can maintain a high level of availability and minimize the risk of downtime. #### Scalability The HPE AK860B SAN Director’s single blade switch design offers scalability, allowing organizations to expand their storage networks as needed. Additional blade switches can be added to accommodate growing storage requirements without disrupting operations or introducing complexities. This scalability ensures that organizations can adapt their infrastructure to meet changing business needs without significant investments or disruptions.