HPE Q2F24AR SN2100M 100GBE 8QSFP28 Reman Switch

HPE Q2F24AR SN2100M 100GbE 8-Port QSFP28 Remanufactured Switch

The HPE Q2F24AR is a remanufactured SN2100M-platform top-of-rack switch delivering eight QSFP28 ports at 100 Gigabit Ethernet — a density point that fits spine-leaf network switch fabrics and high-bandwidth server interconnects where 10/25GbE uplinks have already become the bottleneck. The "Reman" designation means this unit has been restored to factory specification under HPE's renew program, making it a cost-controlled path to HPE data center networking without stepping outside the HPE supply chain.

When This Is the Correct Choice

Deploy the Q2F24AR where you need dense 100GbE connectivity in a compact footprint — aggregation layers in mid-size data centers, direct server attachment for NVMe-over-Fabrics or GPU cluster interconnects, or as a cost-efficient replacement unit in an existing SN2100M-based fabric. The QSFP28 port format supports both 100GbE single-mode and breakout to 4x25GbE, giving you wiring flexibility without swapping the switch. US country of origin satisfies procurement requirements where domestic sourcing is mandated.

When to Choose a Different Model

If your design calls for more than eight high-speed uplinks, consider a higher-port-count variant in the HPE SN series. If PoE delivery to edge devices is the primary requirement, this platform is not the correct choice — QSFP28 switches do not deliver PoE and are strictly a high-speed interconnect device. For environments requiring PoE network switches, look to HPE's Aruba switching line instead.

Key Features

• 8x QSFP28 at 100GbE: Eight full-rate 100 Gigabit ports in a single switch. At this port density, one unit can directly attach eight dual-homed servers or connect eight 100GbE spine links — relevant when you're designing a data center network infrastructure that needs to scale without multiplying switch count.
• QSFP28 port format: Supports 100GBASE-SR4, LR4, and CWDM4 optics as well as breakout cables splitting each port into 4x25GbE — letting you connect 25GbE server NICs directly off the same switch that handles 100GbE uplinks.
• SN2100M platform: A proven Mellanox/NVIDIA Spectrum ASIC-based platform widely deployed in HPC and enterprise core fabrics. Integrators already running this architecture benefit from a familiar management model and compatible optics inventory.
• Remanufactured (HPE Renew): Factory-restored to HPE specification — a practical cost lever for budget-constrained refresh cycles or lab/staging environments where new-unit pricing is hard to justify. Verify HPE Renew warranty terms at time of purchase for this specific unit.
• US country of origin: Satisfies TAA and domestic-sourcing clauses common in federal, state/local government, and regulated-industry procurement without requiring a sourcing exception.
• Ethernet interface: Standard Ethernet protocol stack means no proprietary fabric drivers — integrates with any standards-compliant high-speed Ethernet switching environment.

Frequently Asked Questions

Q: What does the "Reman" designation mean on the Q2F24AR?

A: "Reman" indicates this is a remanufactured unit restored to factory specification under HPE's renew/remanufacturing program. It is not a new unit. Verify current HPE Renew warranty coverage for this SKU before purchasing.

Q: Does the Q2F24AR support PoE for IP cameras or access control devices?

A: No. QSFP28 ports are high-speed fiber/DAC interconnect ports and do not deliver Power over Ethernet. This switch is a core/aggregation interconnect device, not an edge PoE switch.

Q: Is the Q2F24AR TAA-compliant?

A: Country of origin is listed as US in the distribution data, which is a positive indicator for TAA compliance. Confirm TAA status formally with your HPE channel contact for contract procurement, as remanufactured units may carry different compliance designations than new equivalents.

Q: Can the QSFP28 ports break out to 25GbE connections?

A: The QSFP28 form factor supports 4x25GbE breakout cables on compatible platforms. Confirm breakout support for this specific SN2100M variant with the switch's configuration guide before deploying in a breakout topology.

Q: What optic types are supported in the QSFP28 ports?

A: QSFP28 ports accommodate a range of 100GbE optics including SR4 (short-range multimode), LR4 (long-range single-mode), and passive/active DAC copper cables. HPE's compatible transceiver list for the SN2100M platform defines which specific part numbers are validated.

Karl Wilson

The Q2F24AR lands in a specific niche: you need 100GbE port density in a remanufactured unit that stays within the HPE ecosystem. Eight QSFP28 ports on the SN2100M platform gives you a proven Spectrum-ASIC switch at a price point that new-unit equivalents rarely match — and for a staging environment or a cost-pressured refresh, that delta is real money.

Technical Highlights:

• 8x QSFP28 / 100GbE: Eight full-rate 100G ports means you can front-connect eight servers or uplink eight 100GbE leaf switches from a single 1U unit — the density math works for spine roles in small-to-mid fabrics.
• QSFP28 breakout potential: Each port can drive a 4x25GbE breakout cable, so this eight-port switch can logically present as a 32x25GbE device — useful if your server NICs are 25GbE and you're not ready to go all-in on 100GbE server connections.
• US country of origin: Distribution data confirms US origin, which checks the box for TAA-sensitive procurements — a practical advantage when the alternative is sourcing delays or compliance paperwork on a grey-market unit.

Deployment Considerations:

• Remanufactured status means you should validate HPE Renew warranty terms for this specific SKU before deployment in a production environment — coverage terms differ from new-unit purchases and matter when calculating total lifecycle cost.
• QSFP28 ports require compatible optics or DAC cables that are not included; budget for transceivers separately, and cross-reference HPE's SN2100M validated optics list to avoid interop issues at commissioning.

The Q2F24AR is the right call for a spine-layer refresh in an existing SN2100M fabric — or a lab/pre-production environment where you need genuine 100GbE switching without the new-unit price tag. It is not a fit for edge deployments, PoE requirements, or environments where new-unit warranty is non-negotiable.