HPE Storage Switch M-series SN3700M
In today's data-intensive environments, network performance is not just a benefit—it's a necessity. As flash storage, hyperconverged infrastructure (HCI), and virtualization become standard, legacy network fabrics often become the primary bottleneck, throttling application performance and stalling business operations. The demand for higher bandwidth, lower latency, and absolute reliability has never been greater.
The HPE Storage Switch M-series SN3700M is engineered to meet these demands head-on. This high-performance Ethernet switch delivers predictable, wire-rate performance with zero packet loss across every port, at any packet size. With a non-blocking architecture capable of up to 12.8 Tb/s switching capacity, the SN3700M provides the massive throughput required to unleash the full potential of your high-speed storage and server infrastructure.
The HPE SN3700M is specifically designed to handle the bursty, unpredictable traffic patterns of modern data centers. Its ultra-low latency is optimized for flash storage arrays and mission-critical applications where every microsecond counts. The switch’s non-blocking architecture ensures that traffic flows freely without head-of-line blocking, providing consistent and dependable performance for primary storage, HCI, and demanding virtualized workloads.
Built for flexibility and efficiency, the SN3700M packs incredible port density into a compact 1U form factor, making it an ideal choice for top-of-rack (TOR) deployments. Each of the 32 physical ports can be configured for speeds from 1GbE up to 200GbE, and with breakout cables, can support up to 128 connections at 10/25GbE. Bundled with the NVIDIA Cumulus Linux Network Operating System, it offers a robust, open platform for advanced automation and simplified management across both Layer 2 and Layer 3 networks.
Selecting the right storage switch is a critical decision that impacts the performance, scalability, and total cost of ownership of your entire data center. The ideal solution must align precisely with your current and future architectural requirements, from port speeds and density to network operating system and automation capabilities.
Nexus ITX helps organizations navigate the complexities of network hardware evaluation. We facilitate a thorough assessment of your specific environment and business objectives to help you determine which HPE SN3700M model and configuration provides the optimal foundation for your storage fabric.
Q: What is the main advantage of the SN3700M's "zero packet loss" feature?
A: Zero packet loss at line-rate means the switch can forward traffic at its maximum theoretical speed for any packet size without dropping any packets. This is critical for storage protocols like iSCSI and NVMe-oF, where dropped packets can lead to significant retransmissions and severe performance degradation.
Q: How does the switch support different port speeds on its 32 physical ports?
A: The HPE SN3700M is extremely flexible. Each of its 32 physical QSFP ports can operate at various speeds (e.g., 40, 100, or 200 GbE). Additionally, these ports can be split into multiple lower-speed ports using breakout cables. For example, a single 100 GbE port can be split into four 25 GbE ports, allowing the switch to support up to 128 connections in a 1U chassis.
Q: What is the primary difference between the SN3700cM (S2T78A) and SN3700M (S2T79A) models?
A: The main difference is performance and port technology. The SN3700cM (S2T78A) uses QSFP28 connectors and supports up to 100GbE per port for a total switching capacity of 6.4 Tb/s. The SN3700M (S2T79A) uses next-generation QSFP56 connectors, supports up to 200GbE per port, and provides a total switching capacity of 12.8 Tb/s.
Q: What is NVIDIA Cumulus Linux, and why is it included?
A: NVIDIA Cumulus Linux is a powerful, open network operating system (NOS) based on Linux. Its inclusion allows data center operators to automate and manage the switch using the same tools and scripts they use for their Linux servers, such as Ansible, Puppet, or Chef. This simplifies network operations and enables robust network automation.
Q: Is the SN3700M suitable for a top-of-rack (TOR) deployment?
A: Yes, it is an ideal solution for TOR deployments. Its compact 1U form factor, high port density, and flexible port speeds (from 10/25 GbE for servers up to 100/200 GbE for uplinks) allow it to efficiently aggregate connectivity at the rack level while conserving valuable space.
Q: How does the switch's Equal-Cost Multipath (ECMP) feature benefit my network?
A: ECMP allows the switch to distribute traffic across multiple best paths to a destination. The SN3700M features a superior implementation that ensures balanced, predictable load sharing. This prevents network hot spots, improves overall throughput, and increases resiliency in scaled-out network designs.
Q: How can Nexus ITX help us determine if the SN3700M is the right fit for our storage fabric?
A: Nexus ITX can assist your team in evaluating the technical specifications of the SN3700M against your specific storage performance requirements, existing infrastructure, and scalability plans. We help you compare models and configurations to facilitate an informed decision based on your unique environment.
Contact us to discuss your technical requirements and compare configurations to find the ideal high-performance storage switch.
