'A' as a prefix is an old notation. At some time it was converted to 'HP 5500' if I remember correctly, but in many documents you see those as A5500. In order to identify exact model use so-called 'J-number', the model number that starts with letter 'J' followed by 3 digits and ends with letter 'A' or 'B' (the revision number). For example JE103A or JG240A.
'JE...' switches E5500 were running Comware 3, no upgrade to Comware 5.
'JDxxx' switches A5500 were running Comware 5, no upgrade to Comware 7.
Suffixes SI, EI, HI signify feature set and capabilities. Typically the most basic model in the series is SI. EI has more features. HI is the most feature-rich.
Sometimes you wll see 'A5500-HI', sometimes the same device will be advertised as 'HP HI 5500', that's why stick to the J-number, it always stays the same.
For more details look at the specs datasheet of each model, but keep in mind that all 5500 are obsolete legacy end of life products. Better consider thier successor HPE 5510.
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Ivan Bondar
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Original Message:
Sent: Feb 07, 2022 09:08 PM
From: Obioma Okoroafor
Subject: Licensing
Thank you all for the educative responses!
Please bear with me as I still have some questions regarding the 5500 switch series.
I noticed that there are some switches within this series that begin with letter A (A5500 EI/SI),
and some do not have this prefix; just plain 5500 EI/HI switches.
Please what are the differences between the A5500 EI/SI switches and the 5500 EI/HI switches?
Also, what is the meaning of the prefixes and suffixes?
Thank you.
------------------------------
Obioma Okoroafor
Original Message:
Sent: Feb 03, 2022 04:44 AM
From: Emil Gogushev
Subject: Licensing
Hello
The series are mostly identified by the first 2 numbers, not just the first number. That means there is no 3000 series but there is 3500 series belonging to the ProCurve product line and 3600 series belonging to Comware product line. The same with 54xx series belonging to ProCurve and but in Comware we have 51xx, 55xx, 57xx, 58xx. The models starting with 7xxx are only Comware based.
The Comware based switches were added to the HPE portfolio after the acquisition of 3Com. This switches already had their model numbers and some of them conflicted with the ProCurve model numbers. Thats why you can find models starting with the same number in both Comware and ProCurve product lines.
The suffixes for the ProCurve based switches identify extension interface modules that can be used by the switch in question
For example this 2 switches have yl in their name.
HP Switch 3500yl
HP Switch 6200yl-24G
They are fixed port switches with the option to install an extension module on the back side. The yl means that the same yl extension modules can be installed in both models.
The same with the switches having zl in their name.
HP Switch 5406zl
HP Switch 5412zl
HP Switch 8206zl
HP Switch 8212zl
All this models are modular switches. That means there are no fixed ports, you install different interface modules in the chassis based on your needs. Every module that has zl in its name can be used in any of the modular switches having zl in its name.
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Emil Gogushev
Original Message:
Sent: Feb 03, 2022 04:23 AM
From: Obioma Okoroafor
Subject: Licensing
Thank Emil and Evan for the clarification!
One other thing though.
what are the differences between the 3000/5000 and 7000 switch series that
support comware OS?
Also, what is the meaning of these suffixes to the switch names?
Thank you.
------------------------------
Obioma Okoroafor
Original Message:
Sent: Feb 01, 2022 08:15 AM
From: Emil Gogushev
Subject: Licensing
Hello
HP Switch 3100 should be also Comware based switch.
The rest of the switches belong to a series which was known as ProCurve, ProVision, E-Series. The same operating system was rebranded to ArubaOS-switch or AOS-S.
The majority of this switches dont need any licenses.
Some of the models needed until version K.15.16.0004 a premium feature license for features like VRRP, OSPF, QinQ, PIM, BGP and others. However if they are running version K.15.16.0004 and later this features are permanently enabled and no license is needed.
This models are
HP Switch 3500
HP Switch 3500yl
HP Switch 3800
HP Switch 5406zl
HP Switch 5412zl
HP Switch 6200yl-24G
HP Switch 6600
HP Switch 8206zl
HP Switch 8212zl
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Emil Gogushev
Original Message:
Sent: Feb 01, 2022 02:53 AM
From: Ivan ivan.bondar@hpe.com
Subject: Licensing
Back in the day certain legacy ProCurve-series switch models required Premium license for features like OSPF, PIM SM, VRRPv3 etc, but honestly I am not so into those products and may mislead you, so better address this question in the Wired Intelligent Edge community - https://community.arubanetworks.com/community-home?CommunityKey=22dc38ea-a1e1-4059-b55e-a622fedecf32
------------------------------
Ivan Bondar
Original Message:
Sent: Feb 01, 2022 01:27 AM
From: Obioma Okoroafor
Subject: Licensing
Hello Ivan_B,
Thank you for responding swiftly.
Do you know what OS the other models run on, and if they require licenses?
Thank you.
------------------------------
Obioma Okoroafor
Original Message:
Sent: Feb 01, 2022 01:01 AM
From: Ivan ivan.bondar@hpe.com
Subject: Licensing
Hi Obioma!
From this list only following models are Comware-based:
HP Switch 3600
HP Switch 5500 EI
HP Switch 5500 HI
HP Switch 5120 EI/SI
HP Switch 5130
HP Switch FF5700
HP Switch 5800
HP Switch 5820
HP Switch 5830
HP Switch 7500
Neither of these requires any licenses.
------------------------------
Ivan Bondar
Original Message:
Sent: Feb 01, 2022 12:18 AM
From: Obioma Okoroafor
Subject: Licensing
Hello everyone!
I would appreciate some clarification on whether Comware supported switches like the following require licenses to activate certain features.
HP switch 1810
HP Switch 2300
HP Switch 2510
HP Switch 2520
HP Switch 2520G
HP Switch 2530
HP Switch 2610
HP Switch 2615
HP Switch 2620
HP Switch 2810
HP Switch 2910al
HP Switch 2915
HP Switch 2920
HP Switch 3500
HP Switch 3500yl
HP Switch 3800
HP Switch 4100gl
HP Switch 5406R
HP Switch 5406zl
HP Switch 5412A
HP Switch 5412zl
HP Switch 5412R
HP Switch 6108
HP Switch 6200yl-24G
HP Switch 6600
HP Switch 8206zl
HP Switch 8212zl
HP Switch 3100
HP Switch 3600
HP Switch 5500 EI
HP Switch 5500 HI
HP Switch 5120 EI/SI
HP Switch 5130
HP Switch FF5700
HP Switch 5800
HP Switch 5820
HP Switch 5830
HP Switch 7500
If there is a document that describes the licensing type, please point me in the direction of such documents.
Thank you.
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Obioma Okoroafor
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