HPE R6B01A SN8700B 64GB 48P 32GB SW SFP28 Blade

HPE R6B01A SN8700B 48-Port SFP28 Blade Module

Overview

The HPE R6B01A is a high-density blade module for the HPE networking and storage portfolio, designed to slot into the SN8700B director-class chassis. Based on the product identifier and confirmed interface attributes, this blade delivers SFP28 connectivity — the 25GbE small form-factor pluggable standard — across a 48-port configuration, making it a relevant option for high-speed data center switching fabrics where per-port density and lane efficiency matter.

At 15.50 lb, the R6B01A carries the physical weight typical of a fully populated blade assembly. It is manufactured in the Czech Republic (Country of Origin: CZ) and carries UNSPSC commodity code 43222612, consistent with network switching blades. The confirmed interface types are Ethernet and SFP, aligning with a 25GbE SFP28 blade role inside an SN8700B director chassis.

Key Features

• SFP28 Interface: SFP28 ports support 25GbE per lane — four times the throughput of legacy 1GbE per port and a practical step between 10GbE access and 100GbE uplinks. In a director chassis this translates to high-aggregate fabric bandwidth without the cabling cost of 100G breakout everywhere.
• 48-Port Density: A 48-port blade concentrates connectivity in a single slot, reducing the number of chassis slots consumed versus lower-density options. For data center fabric builds where chassis slots are finite, per-slot port count directly impacts total switch capacity.
• Director Chassis Integration: Designed for the SN8700B modular director platform, this blade inherits the chassis's shared backplane, redundant power, and management infrastructure — no standalone switch management overhead, no separate power supply provisioning per blade.
• 15.50 lb Blade Assembly: The confirmed weight reflects a fully equipped module. Factor this into rack load planning and blade-insertion ergonomics, particularly in populated chassis where sequential blade handling is required.
• Ethernet + SFP Interface Types: Dual interface designation (Ethernet logical, SFP physical) confirms standard QSFP/SFP transceiver compatibility — integrators can use existing 25G SR, LR, or DAC/AOC cabling infrastructure without proprietary optics mandates.

Integration and Compatibility

The R6B01A is specific to the HPE SN8700B director chassis family. Confirm chassis firmware revision and slot compatibility with HPE's current compatibility matrix before ordering — blade generations within a director platform are not always interchangeable across chassis hardware revisions. Transceiver selection (SR for short-reach intra-rack, LR for cross-row or IDF runs, DAC for sub-7m direct attach) should follow HPE's qualified transceiver list to avoid link instability in production fabric. For fiber and DAC cabling paired with SFP28 deployments, verify MPO/LC connector types match your existing plant.

Frequently Asked Questions

Q: What chassis is the HPE R6B01A compatible with?

A: The R6B01A is a blade module for the HPE SN8700B director-class chassis. Confirm slot and firmware compatibility with HPE's current product documentation before installation.

Q: What interface type does the R6B01A use?

A: The R6B01A uses SFP28 (25GbE) interfaces over Ethernet, confirmed via distribution feed attributes.

Q: How much does the R6B01A weigh?

A: The R6B01A weighs 15.50 lb as confirmed by the product's distribution data.

Q: Where is the HPE R6B01A manufactured?

A: Country of Origin is Czech Republic (CZ), per verified distribution feed data.

Eden Phillips

The R6B01A is a 48-port SFP28 blade for the HPE SN8700B director chassis — a platform choice that only makes sense if you're already committed to or evaluating a director-class fabric. At 15.50 lb, this is a fully populated assembly, not a partial-density module, and that weight is the first practical signal: you're buying density.

Technical Highlights:

• SFP28 at 48 ports: 25GbE per port in a single blade slot delivers aggregate fabric bandwidth that 10GbE blade generations can't match without doubling slot consumption — relevant when chassis slots are the constraint.
• Director chassis shared infrastructure: Blades in the SN8700B inherit chassis-level redundancy and management. That's a meaningful operational advantage over stacking discrete switches when the port count reaches this scale.
• Ethernet + SFP interface confirmed: Standard SFP28 optic and DAC compatibility means no forced proprietary transceiver spend — you can use existing 25G SR/LR/DAC stock if it's on HPE's qualified list.

Deployment Considerations:

• Blade-to-chassis compatibility is generation-sensitive on SN8700B platforms — validate the chassis hardware revision and current firmware against HPE's compatibility matrix before the blade ships to the data center floor.
• Available spec data for this SKU is limited to distribution feed attributes. For full port mapping, buffer specs, and supported optic lists, pull HPE's SN8700B blade datasheet directly from HPE's support portal before finalizing a design.

The R6B01A fits a specific scenario: a data center team expanding an existing SN8700B director fabric who needs 25GbE blade density without moving to 100GbE uplink infrastructure yet. If you're starting a net-new fabric or the chassis generation isn't confirmed, validate compatibility first.