HPE R6A99A SN8700B 8-Slot Director Switch Core Blade
Overview
The HPE R6A99A is the core blade module for the HPE SN8700B 8-slot director-class switch chassis — the switching fabric component that sits at the heart of high-availability SAN and data center interconnect deployments. Director-class switch platforms of this family are architected for environments where fabric redundancy, non-disruptive upgrades, and carrier-grade uptime are non-negotiable: enterprise storage networks, large virtualized data centers, and mission-critical compute clusters.
The R6A99A is a chassis-specific blade, meaning compatibility is tied directly to the SN8700B director platform. If you are sourcing this as a replacement or expansion component, confirm your chassis model and existing blade inventory before ordering — director-class blades are not interchangeable across chassis generations.
Manufactured in the Czech Republic, the R6A99A falls under UNSPSC commodity code 43202105 (network switches and hubs), consistent with its role as a core fabric switching component in HPE's HPE networking and storage portfolio.
Key Features
- Director-Class Core Blade Architecture: Designed for the SN8700B 8-slot chassis, this core blade provides the central switching fabric that enables high-density port connectivity with the redundancy and throughput characteristics expected of director-class SAN infrastructure — purpose-built for environments that cannot tolerate fabric downtime.
- Chassis Integration: As a modular blade within the director-class switch platform, the R6A99A supports the hot-swap and non-disruptive serviceability model that defines the SN8700B — a critical operational requirement in 24/7 production storage environments.
- Czech Republic Manufacturing Origin: Country of origin CZ (Czech Republic) is relevant for procurement teams with supply-chain documentation requirements or government acquisition compliance workflows that track component origin.
Integration and Compatibility
The R6A99A is designed specifically for the HPE SN8700B 8-slot director switch chassis. Director-class blade components require precise chassis and firmware compatibility verification prior to installation. Consult HPE's compatibility matrix and your existing chassis firmware revision before provisioning this blade in a production environment. Integration with HPE's storage and network infrastructure management tools follows the broader SN8700B platform architecture.
For deployments requiring a pre-sales engineering review of SAN fabric design, blade slot planning, or compatibility verification with existing HPE director infrastructure, engage your VAR or HPE channel partner prior to ordering.
Frequently Asked Questions
Q: What chassis is the HPE R6A99A compatible with?
A: The R6A99A is the core blade for the HPE SN8700B 8-slot director switch chassis. It is a chassis-specific component and is not designed for use in other HPE director chassis models.
Q: What is the country of origin for the R6A99A?
A: The HPE R6A99A is manufactured in the Czech Republic (country of origin: CZ).
Q: Is the R6A99A a hot-swappable component?
A: Director-class switch platforms in this family are architected for non-disruptive serviceability, but confirm hot-swap procedures with HPE documentation specific to the SN8700B chassis before performing any live blade operations in a production environment.
Q: Where can I verify firmware compatibility before installing the R6A99A?
A: Consult HPE's official compatibility matrix and the SN8700B platform release notes for your current chassis firmware revision. Blade and chassis firmware alignment is critical in director-class environments.
