Name: 43W6728 IBM Qlogic Blade 20-Port 4Gbps Fibre Channel SAN Switch Module
Brand: IBM
SKU: 43W6728
Price: 849.00 USD
Availability: InStock
Rating: 4.8 (130 reviews)

Product Overview
The 43W6728 - IBM Qlogic Blade 20-Ports 4Gb/s SAN Switch Module is a compact switch designed to fit seamlessly into IBM blade server systems. It manages fibre channel SAN traffic efficiently across 20 ports, supporting storage area networks with reliable performance and integration within blade chassis environments.

General Information
Brand	IBM

Technical Information
Protocol	Fibre Channel (FC)
Data Rate	4Gbps
Bus Interface	Mezzanine (LOM)
Generation	N/A
Chipset / Controller	QLogic
Network Topology	Switched Fabric (N-Port)
Bracket Height	Internal/Mezzanine

Advanced Features & Compatibility
Management Features	Full Fabric Support, Diagnostics (D_Port)

Physical Characteristics
Form Factor	Blade switch module (IBM BladeCenter)
Weight	3.00
Condition	Refurbished

Miscellaneous
Assembly Required	No

Product Description
The 43W6728 - IBM Qlogic Blade 20-Ports 4Gb/s SAN Switch Module is built for managing and streamlining storage area network (SAN) traffic within blade server environments. It is often found integrated in IBM BladeCenter chassis, providing a streamlined SAN switching solution optimized for blade architectures. Typically used by IT professionals managing enterprise storage networks, this switch module supports efficient data flow between servers and storage arrays in a compact footprint. It suits environments requiring dense, high-performance SAN connectivity. Key Features Offers 20 dedicated ports with 4Gb/s Fibre Channel speeds for consistent bandwidth Designed to fit directly into IBM BladeCenter chassis for simplified deployment Delivers low latency and reliable SAN switching within blade infrastructures Supports zoning and fabric management features typical of enterprise SAN switches Enables consolidation of storage traffic, reducing cable complexity and space use This SAN switch module plays a critical role in providing dependable communication paths between server blades and storage devices, helping maintain network stability and performance. Its design optimizes space while ensuring robust connectivity, making it a practical component in scalable SAN setups.

Use Cases
This SAN switch module is commonly deployed in enterprise data centers and IT environments that utilize IBM BladeCenter systems. It is ideal for storage networking setups requiring high port density and reliable Fibre Channel connectivity within constrained spaces. How It's Used: Connecting blade servers to centralized SAN storage in IBM BladeCenter deployments Supporting virtualized server environments with high-speed storage access Facilitating storage consolidation in enterprise IT infrastructures Providing scalable SAN switching in rack-mounted blade server configurations Enabling high-availability storage fabrics with zoning and traffic management By integrating this switch module, organizations can streamline their storage network architecture and improve operational efficiency. It supports consistent performance and scalability in complex blade-based server environments where space and reliability are key considerations.