The IBM 2498-24E-16-7203 or SAN24B-4 comes equipped with 16 active ports, designed explicitly for small to medium-sized storage area networks. This model includes the extended fabric feature, enabling it to support long-distance Fibre Channel connections up to 500 kilometers, making it suitable for disaster recovery and business continuity requirements. The switch operates on speeds of 8, 4, and 2 Gbps, delivering the performance needed for demanding workloads and applications. Its streamlined management and interoperability capabilities make it an excellent choice for businesses aiming to consolidate their storage networks while ensuring robust data access and transfer over extended geographical areas.