836245-001 HPE 20 Meter Infiniband EDR QSFP Optical Cable

Key attributes and selling points

• Length: 20 meters / ~65.6 feet — suitable for large racks, cold aisles, and cross-rack connections.
• Connector type: QSFP-compatible optical transceivers on each end — plug-and-play with QSFP ports that support InfiniBand EDR.
• Media: Optical fiber — offers superior reach and immunity to EMI compared to copper assemblies.
• Performance orientation: Built for low-latency, high-throughput fabrics typical of EDR-class InfiniBand deployments.
• Form factor compatibility: Designed to work with HPE servers, switches, and compatible third-party InfiniBand equipment.

Technical specifications and compatibility

Physical and mechanical specifications

• Nominal length: 20 meters (20.0 m) — factory-terminated and tested for insertion loss and return loss.
• Cable type: Multimode or singlemode fiber variant (confirm model/subtype before purchase) — optical variants are selected by fabric topology and transceiver pairing.
• Connectors: QSFP optical plug ends that mate with QSFP cages or modules on switches and adapters.
• Sheath and jacket: Durable, data-center-rated outer jacket to resist abrasion, rack movement, and HVAC exposure.
• Bend radius and handling: Manufacturer-specified minimum bend radius recommended to preserve optical performance; handle with protective loops and cable guides.

Electrical and optical performance

• Protocol support: InfiniBand EDR (Enhanced Data Rate) — optimized for low microsecond-scale latency and high throughput.
• Throughput orientation: Engineered to sustain the line rates typical of EDR fabrics across the full 20 m link.
• Optical specifications: Factory-tested insertion loss, return loss, and optical power budgets suitable for the EDR QSFP transceiver pairing.
• EMI immunity: Optical media inherently resists electromagnetic and radio-frequency interference, improving signal integrity near power distribution paths and dense rack cabling.

Use cases and deployment scenarios

High performance computing (HPC)

In HPC environments every microsecond counts. The 20-meter optical QSFP cable enables cross-rack cluster interconnects between compute nodes, aggregation switches, and storage gateways while preserving EDR performance characteristics. It is especially valuable when compute racks are separated by cold aisles, cable trays, or containment zones that require longer links than short-reach copper can provide.

AI/ML training farms and GPU clusters

For dense GPU racks where servers are arranged in multiple rows, long-reach optical QSFP links simplify fabric topology by removing the need for intermediate patching and allow designers to place switches in optimal, thermally efficient positions without compromising bandwidth.

Storage fabrics and scale-out NAS/SAN

Large storage arrays and parallel file systems frequently require high-throughput interconnects across separate equipment rooms or between distant rack groups. A 20 m optical cable provides the reach and reliability to link storage directors and file-system nodes while maintaining predictable latency for IO-sensitive workloads.

Performance considerations and optimization

Latency and throughput trade-offs

Optical QSFP interconnects are selected when reach and stable performance outweigh the lower cost of copper alternatives. For EDR fabrics, optical links deliver consistent latency across longer distances. Keep in mind:

• End-to-end fabric design including switch buffering and topology (fat-tree, leaf-spine, direct attach) directly influences observed latency regardless of cable media.
• Proper transceiver matching and verified optical budget ensure that throughput is not reduced by marginal signal levels or high insertion loss.
• Firmware and driver versions on host adapters and switches can impact link training and error recovery behavior — maintain recommended versions for best results.

Compatibility matrix and vendor interoperability

HPE ecosystem compatibility

The HPE part 836245-001 is supplied to integrate seamlessly with HPE InfiniBand-capable switches, interconnect modules, and QSFP-enabled adapters. When deployed in an all-HPE fabric, this cable simplifies warranty and support channels and helps ensure predictable interoperability with HPE diagnostic tools and fabric management software.

Third-party and multi-vendor environments

Optical QSFP interfaces follow standard physical and logical connector rules, enabling cross-vendor compatibility in many deployments. Still, purchasers should confirm:

• Transceiver and optical media type match (e.g., ensure both ends support the same wavelengths and fiber optics type).
• Switch and host adapter firmware compatibility for link training and error handling.
• Support policy if using third-party cables with OEM ports — some vendors maintain software locks or limit support for non-branded cabling in certain circumstances.

Reliability, testing, and quality assurance

Factory testing and certification

Reputable optical interconnects are factory-tested for optical insertion loss, return loss, and mechanical integrity. The 836245-001 is expected to be supplied pre-terminated and validated to minimize field terminations and reduce installation risk. Test results and batch traceability often accompany enterprise-class assemblies to satisfy compliance and procurement audits.

On-site acceptance testing

• Run acceptance tests for BER (bit error rate), throughput, and latency across representative workloads.
• Use optical power meters or vendor diagnostic tools to confirm light levels and to compare against factory test baselines.
• Document test results, including switch logs and adapter counters, as part of commissioning reports.

Spares and inventory planning

For mission-critical fabrics, maintain a small inventory of spare 20 m QSFP optical cables and compatible transceivers to accelerate recovery from unexpected failures. Plan spares based on mean time between failures (MTBF) estimations for other fabric components and the operational criticality of connected services.

Security, compliance, and environmental impact

Security benefits of optical interconnects

Optical fiber offers intrinsic security advantages: it is difficult to tap without detection, immune to electromagnetic eavesdropping, and provides predictable signal isolation between zones. These properties make optical QSFP links attractive for security-conscious deployments, cross-domain architectures, and regulated workloads.

Regulatory and environmental standards

• Enterprises should validate that the cable and its jacket materials meet regional fire, safety, and environmental standards for data centers (for example, low-smoke zero-halogen options may be preferred in certain facilities).
• Check manufacturer documentation for recyclability information and RoHS/REACH declarations where environmental compliance is required.

Procurement considerations and buying guide

What to verify before purchase

• Exact part number and variant: Confirm that 836245-001 corresponds to a 20 m optical QSFP assembly (some part numbers have copper or different-length siblings).
• Transceiver pairing: Match the cable media to the QSFP transceiver specification (wavelength, mode, and power budget).
• Compatibility listing: Review vendor interoperability lists and compatibility matrices for switches and host adapters in your environment.
• Warranty and support: Evaluate vendor warranty terms, RMA procedures, and whether OEM support covers third-party components.

Related products and complementary components

Transceivers and QSFP modules

Pair the 20 m optical assembly with vendor-approved QSFP EDR transceivers to ensure the optical power budget and wavelength match. Consider purchasing transceivers from the same vendor or certified interoperable modules to reduce link issues and simplify support.

Patch panels, breakout modules, and management hardware

• QSFP patch panels and fiber management trays help organize and secure long runs in cross-connects.
• Breakout fanouts (where supported) can convert a QSFP link to multiple SFP+ or QSFP+ lanes for specific topologies.
• Cable management arms, trays, and labeling aids facilitate airflow and simplify maintenance.

Evaluation scoring factors

• Compatibility certainty — high (5/5) if vendor-validated, lower if mixed-vendor components.
• Reach and performance — score based on length needs and aggregate fabric bandwidth.
• Lifecycle cost — consider replacement costs, spares inventory, and potential switch reconfiguration needs.
• Supportability — OEM-backed parts simplify support escalations and RMAs.

Suggested on-page enhancements

• Include a condensed technical specification table near the top of the product listing for quick reference.
• Add manufacturer datasheet downloads and certification badges to provide authoritative documentation for technical buyers.
• Offer a visible compatibility checker tool that allows visitors to input switch and adapter models to confirm compatibility.
• Use canonical tag strategies and structured data (Product schema) to help search engines accurately index the product variant.

Final technical callouts and purchasing tips

Confirm the exact variant

Before purchasing, double-check that the 836245-001 matches the required optical variant (multimode/singlemode) and that the 20 m length is the intended run length. Slight differences in part suffixes can indicate different media types or connector options.

Plan for support and lifecycle

Align purchase timing with planned maintenance windows to allow for verification and commissioning. Maintain documentation of test results and keep spare assemblies on hand for rapid replacement in high-availability deployments.

Quick reference buyer checklist

• Confirm part number 836245-001 and length 20 m.
• Verify QSFP transceiver and fiber mode compatibility.
• Plan cable routing and secure proper cable management hardware.
• Run acceptance tests post-installation and archive results.
• Purchase spares according to service criticality and MTBF planning.

Additional resources (recommended)

• Datasheets and optical power budget tables from the transceiver vendor.
• HPE compatibility matrices and fabric deployment guides.
• Best-practice whitepapers on InfiniBand fabric topologies and EDR optimization.