HPE
HPE 12908E Switch Chassis
Best high-capacity core switch for large-scale enterprise data centers.
The HPE 12908E Switch Chassis is a modular data center core switch designed for virtualized environments and cloud deployments. It offers high performance with a non-blocking Clos architecture, supporting up to 46 Tbps switching capacity and 28.8 Bpps forwarding rate. This chassis provides flexibility with 16 expansion slots for 1GbE, 10GbE, 40GbE, and 100GbE interfaces. It features a distributed architecture for enhanced fault tolerance and supports In-Service Software Upgrade (ISSU) for zero packet loss during updates. Optimized for next-generation data centers, it includes support for VxLAN, TRILL, and IRF for building scalable Layer 2 fabrics, along with enterprise-class availability features like hot-swappable modules and redundant power supplies.
$12545.03
Owner Satisfaction
4.5
/ 5
Category Rank
310
/ 2256
#310 in Hubs & Switches
Price vs Category Average
+94%
Above average
Product Type
Switch Chassis
/ Switch Chassis
Who it's for
- Growing enterprises planning for long-term network expansion
- IT teams managing high-traffic, mission-critical data environments
- Network administrators prioritizing maximum uptime and system redundancy
Who should skip it
- Budget-constrained organizations with limited capital expenditure
- Small teams lacking specialized networking expertise
- Facilities with limited rack space or cooling capacity
Performance breakdown
Switching Throughput
Massive 46 Tbps capacity handles the most demanding enterprise traffic loads.
System Availability
Redundant architecture and hot-swappable components ensure near-constant uptime for critical operations.
Scalability
Sixteen expansion slots provide immense flexibility for growing network interface requirements.
Maintenance Efficiency
In-Service Software Upgrades eliminate downtime during essential system updates.
Fabric Versatility
Robust support for VxLAN and IRF simplifies complex, large-scale data center fabrics.
Forwarding Performance
High-speed packet processing keeps latency low in virtualized cloud environments.
Key Specs
Product Type
Switch Chassis
Layer Supported
3
Total Number of Expansion Slots
16.0
Compatible Rack Unit
12U
Switching Capacity
46 Tbps
Forwarding Rate
28.8 Bpps
Interface Options
1GbE, 10GbE, 40GbE, 100GbE
Architecture
Non-blocking, lossless Clos
Features
- Next-generation modular data center core switch
- High performance with 46 Tbps switching capacity
- Supports up to 16 expansion slots for various interface speeds
- In-Service Software Upgrade (ISSU) for zero downtime
- Optimized for virtualized data centers and cloud deployments
- Builds scalable Layer 2 fabrics with VxLAN, TRILL, and IRF
- Enterprise-class availability with redundant components
- Supports advanced data center features like MDC and DCB
What customers say
Customers consistently praise the HPE 12908E Switch Chassis for its exceptional reliability and robust performance in demanding enterprise environments. Users frequently highlight its stable operation and ability to handle high network traffic without compromise, making it a cornerstone for critical infrastructure. The build quality is also a recurring positive point, reinforcing confidence in its long term deployment. This chassis is seen as a dependable solution for scalable network needs.
Know before you buy
The 12908E is a high-performance, modular core switch specifically engineered for large-scale data centers, cloud deployments, and virtualized environments that require massive throughput and high availability.
Yes, the chassis is highly flexible and supports a mix of 1GbE, 10GbE, 40GbE, and 100GbE interfaces across its 16 slots, allowing you to tailor the port density to your specific network requirements.
The chassis supports In-Service Software Upgrade (ISSU), which allows you to perform firmware updates while the system is running, ensuring zero packet loss and continuous operation for critical services.
It is built for enterprise-class reliability, featuring hot-swappable modules, redundant power supplies, and redundant fabric and management modules to ensure the system remains operational even if a component fails.
Yes, it is designed for next-generation networking and fully supports VxLAN, TRILL, and IRF, making it an ideal choice for building scalable, high-performance Layer 2 fabrics.
The HPE 12908E is a large-format chassis that requires 12U of rack space, so you should ensure your server rack can accommodate its height and the necessary power and cooling infrastructure.
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