Qlogic QLE2564 Sanblade 8GB FC HBA 4-Port PCI-E 2.0 X8

Technical Specifications of Fibre Channel HBA

• Type: Host Bus Adapter with 4 Ports
• Form Factor: Plug-in Card
• Interface: PCI Express 2.0 x8
• Connection Technology: Wired
• Part Number: QLE2564

Connectivity and Protocols

• Data Link Protocol: 8Gb Fibre Channel
• Fibre Channel Standards: FC-AL, FC-AL-2, FCP-2, FCP-3
• Data Transfer Speed: 8.5 Gbps
• Full Duplex Operation: Yes
• Auto-negotiation: Supported
• Quality of Service (QoS): Included

Dimensions

Physical Size

• Width: 6.6 inches
• Depth: 4.4 inches

Form Factor Details

This Host Bus Adapter is designed as a plug-in card that fits into a PCI Express slot. It is tailored for reliable wired connectivity and optimized for high-speed data transfer.

Data Transfer and Protocols

With a robust 8Gb Fibre Channel, this adapter supports various Fibre Channel standards including FC-AL and FCP-3, ensuring compatibility with a wide range of data communication setups.

Performance Features

• Supports data rates up to 8.5 Gbps
• Provides full duplex capability for simultaneous send and receive operations
• Includes auto-negotiation for optimal connection speed
• Enhanced Quality of Service (QoS) features for improved network performance

Size and Dimensions

The compact design of this adapter measures 6.6 inches in width and 4.4 inches in depth, making it suitable for various system configurations and environments.

Port

The Sanblade QLE2564 Fibre Channel HBA boasts a remarkable feature - its Quad Port capability. With four ports available, this HBA offers users unparalleled connectivity options and flexibility in their storage networks.

Increased Scalability

One of the key benefits of the Quad Port feature is the increased scalability it provides. By having four ports available, users can connect multiple devices or expand their storage infrastructure without the need for additional HBAs. This ensures that as your storage needs grow, the QLE2564 can easily accommodate the increased workload.

Enhanced Performance

Another advantage of the Quad Port configuration is improved performance. With multiple ports, users can distribute their data traffic across different channels, reducing congestion and improving overall throughput. This is particularly beneficial in high-demand environments where data-intensive applications require fast and reliable access to storage resources.

Redundancy and Failover

In addition to scalability and performance benefits, the Quad Port feature also offers redundancy and failover capabilities. Should one port experience a failure or become unavailable, the remaining ports can seamlessly take over, ensuring uninterrupted access to storage resources. This redundancy is crucial for businesses that require continuous availability and cannot afford any downtime.

Simplified Cable Management

Managing cables in a storage network can be a daunting task, especially when dealing with multiple HBAs and devices. The Quad Port design helps simplify cable management by consolidating connectivity options into a single card. This reduces cable clutter and makes it easier to organize and maintain your storage infrastructure.

Cost Efficiency

Having four ports on a single HBA offers cost savings compared to using multiple HBAs to achieve the same level of connectivity. By consolidating ports into one card, businesses can reduce hardware costs, power consumption, and maintenance efforts. This makes the QLE2564 an economical choice for organizations looking to optimize their storage networks without breaking the bank.

Speed

When it comes to storage networks, speed is of paramount importance. The Sanblade QLE2564 Fibre Channel HBA delivers exceptional speed with its 8GB capability, ensuring fast and efficient data transfers.

Improved Workload Performance

The 8GB speed of the QLE2564 translates into improved workload performance for users. With faster data transfers, applications can access and retrieve data more quickly, resulting in reduced latency and improved overall system responsiveness. This is particularly beneficial for businesses that rely on real-time data processing or require instant access to critical information.

Reduced Backup and Restore Times

Efficient backup and restore operations are crucial for businesses that rely on regular data backups for disaster recovery or compliance purposes. The 8GB speed of the QLE2564 significantly reduces backup and restore times, allowing organizations to meet their backup windows and minimize any potential data loss. This time-saving benefit not only enhances business continuity but also improves productivity by reducing downtime caused by lengthy backup processes.

Seamless Virtualization Support

Virtualized environments place unique demands on storage networks, requiring fast and reliable access to virtual disks and shared storage resources. The 8GB speed of the QLE2564 ensures seamless support for virtualization technologies, enabling virtual machines to access data with minimal latency and maximizing the performance of virtualized workloads. This is crucial for businesses running mission-critical applications in virtualized environments.

Future-Proofing

Investing in a Fibre Channel HBA with 8GB speed provides future-proofing benefits for organizations. As data volumes continue to grow exponentially, having a high-speed HBA ensures that your storage infrastructure can keep up with the increasing demands of your business. By choosing the QLE2564, users can be confident that their storage network will remain capable and efficient even as their data requirements evolve.

Compatibility

The 8GB speed of the QLE2564 makes it compatible with a wide range of storage devices and infrastructure. Whether you have existing storage systems or plan to upgrade in the future, the QLE2564's speed ensures compatibility and seamless integration into your storage environment. This versatility allows businesses to leverage their existing investments while still benefiting from the enhanced performance provided by the 8GB speed.

Interface

The Sanblade QLE2564 Fibre Channel HBA features a PCI-E 2.0 X8 interface, offering users a reliable and high-performance connection to their servers and storage devices.

Enhanced Bandwidth

The PCI-E 2.0 X8 interface provides enhanced bandwidth capabilities, allowing for faster and more efficient data transfers between the HBA and the server. This increased bandwidth is particularly beneficial for applications that require large data transfers or high I/O rates, ensuring optimal performance and minimizing any potential bottlenecks.

Improved Server Utilization

The high-performance nature of the PCI-E 2.0 X8 interface enables improved server utilization. By providing a fast and reliable connection, the QLE2564 maximizes the server's processing power by reducing data transfer delays. This ensures that servers can efficiently handle demanding workloads without being limited by slow data transfers.

Compatibility and Scalability

The PCI-E 2.0 X8 interface offers compatibility with a wide range of servers and storage devices, making it a versatile choice for businesses with diverse IT environments. Furthermore, the interface's scalability allows for future expansion as your storage needs grow. Whether you need to add more servers or connect to additional storage devices, the QLE2564's interface can accommodate your evolving requirements.

Reliable Connection

The PCI-E 2.0 X8 interface ensures a reliable and stable connection between the HBA and the server. This is crucial for businesses that rely on continuous access to their storage resources, as any interruptions or instabilities can lead to data loss or system downtime. The QLE2564's interface provides the necessary reliability to ensure uninterrupted access to critical data.

Simplified Installation and Maintenance

The PCI-E 2.0 X8 interface offers a straightforward installation process, ensuring quick and hassle-free integration into your server infrastructure. Additionally, its compatibility with various servers and storage devices simplifies maintenance efforts by allowing for easy replacement or upgrades without extensive reconfiguration or compatibility concerns.

In summary, the Sanblade QLE2564 Fibre Channel HBA is a powerful storage solution that offers users a range of impressive features. The Quad Port capability provides increased scalability, enhanced performance, redundancy, and simplified cable management. The 8GB speed ensures improved workload performance, reduced backup times, seamless virtualization support, future-proofing, and compatibility. Lastly, the PCI-E 2.0 X8 interface offers enhanced bandwidth, improved server utilization, compatibility, scalability, reliable connections, and simplified installation and maintenance. With these features, the QLE2564 is a versatile and efficient choice for businesses seeking to optimize their storage networks.