Product Description
IBM 2498/F24 Base 12 port
This is an entry-level 16 Gbps Fibre Channel SAN switch from the Brocade-based b-type Gen5 family, configurable with 12 or 24 ports (base includes 12 activated ports, expandable via license to 24). It supports auto-sensing speeds of 2, 4, 8, or 16 Gbps in a compact 1U rack-mount form factor, delivering up to 384 Gbps aggregate bandwidth for midrange SAN fabrics. The base configuration includes dual redundant power supplies, Fibre Channel fabric services, Advanced Zoning, Full Fabric capability, Web Tools, and enhanced diagnostic features like Bottleneck Detection and ClearLink diagnostics (on 16 Gbps ports).
It provides reliable, scalable connectivity for virtualized environments with features like in-flight encryption/compression (on supported ports), Forward Error Correction (FEC), and integration with IBM Network Advisor for monitoring and management.
Key Specifications
| Specification | Details |
|---|---|
| Form Factor | 1U rack mount (19-inch) |
| Ports | Base: 12 active ports (SFP+); Expandable to 24 ports via license |
| Port Speeds | Auto-sensing 2/4/8/16 Gbps Fibre Channel; native 10 Gbps FC support |
| Aggregate Bandwidth | Up to 384 Gbps (with 24 ports at 16 Gbps) |
| Transceivers | Supports SFP+ (short-wave/long-wave); 16 Gbps optics required for max speed |
| Fabric Services | Full Fabric, Advanced Zoning, Name Server, RSCN, etc. |
| Management | Web Tools, CLI, IBM Network Advisor integration |
| Power Supply | Dual redundant hot-swap (included in base) |
| Dimensions | Height: 43 mm (1.7 in), Width: 437 mm (17.2 in), Depth: approx. 443 mm (17.4 in) |
| Weight | Approx. 9.5 kg (21 lb) empty; higher when configured |
| Power Consumption | Typical 60-100 W (depending on config and traffic) |
Configuration Options
The base model (2498-F24) ships with 12 active ports and dual power supplies. Common IBM options include:
- Port Activation License: Upgrade from 12 to 24 ports (e.g., feature code for on-demand activation)
- Transceivers: 16 Gbps SFP+ modules (short-wave/long-wave for different distances)
- Cables: Compatible Fibre Channel cables (OM3/OM4 multimode, single-mode)
- Software Features: Additional licenses if needed (e.g., extended fabric, trunking, but base includes core functions)
- Other: Rack-mount kit (included or optional)
These allow cost-effective entry-level SAN fabrics scalable to 24 ports.
Compatibilities
The IBM SAN24B-5 Switch (2498-F24) is compatible with:
- Protocols: Fibre Channel (FC), FCoE (limited), FCIP (via gateways); supports E, F, FL ports.
- Servers/Hosts: Broad support for x86 servers, IBM Power Systems, others with FC HBAs (8/16 Gb); major OS including Microsoft Windows Server, Red Hat/SUSE Linux, VMware vSphere/ESXi, AIX, Solaris, HP-UX.
- Storage: Compatible with IBM Storwize, FlashSystem, DS8000, XIV, and third-party FC storage arrays.
- Switches/Directors: Interoperable with other Brocade/IBM b-type Gen5 (16 Gbps) and backward-compatible with Gen4/Gen3 switches (8/4 Gbps) in mixed fabrics.
- Management Tools: IBM Network Advisor, Brocade Network Advisor; CLI, Web Tools, SNMP.
- Additional: Supports virtual fabrics, NPIV, zoning, and fabric resiliency features; suitable for midrange SANs in virtualized/cloud environments.
This ensures seamless integration into heterogeneous Fibre Channel SAN infrastructures.
The unit comes with a 60-day warranty for added assurance.
