IBM 46C9301 BladeCenter (Brocade switch module) Datacentre Switch

The IBM 46C9301 (also listed under option number 44X1920) is a Brocade 20-port 8Gb SAN Switch Module built specifically for the IBM BladeCenter chassis. It integrates directly into a BladeCenter enclosure’s I/O bay, providing Fibre Channel switching for the blade servers installed in that chassis without requiring external SAN switch hardware or additional rack space. The module delivers 20 internal and external 8Gb Fibre Channel ports, giving blade servers high-speed, low-latency access to shared SAN storage while keeping the switching fabric consolidated within the BladeCenter enclosure itself. Built on Brocade’s SAN switching technology and sold as an IBM option for BladeCenter environments, it supports standard Fibre Channel fabric services and integrates with wider multi-switch SAN fabrics alongside other Brocade-based directors and switches. This blade-integrated design is particularly useful in dense virtualised or consolidated server environments, where minimising cabling and external switch count simplifies both deployment and ongoing management. As BladeCenter deployments remain in service across many established data centres, this module continues to be sourced both for new blade bays and as a replacement for a failed unit. Tech-Star (UK-based, shipped worldwide) supplies tested IBM 46C9301 SAN switch modules. Please contact our sales team for current stock and pricing.