ICX7400-1X40GQ Brocade Expansion Module - 1-Port 40 GBE QSFP+

Brocade ICX7400-1X40GQ Expansion Module

The Brocade ICX7400-1X40GQ is a high-performance 40 Gigabit Ethernet expansion module designed to deliver ultra-fast connectivity for enterprise and data center environments. With its QSFP+ interface, this module ensures seamless uplinks, stacking, and backbone integration.

General Information

• Manufacturer: Brocade
• Part Number: ICX7400-1X40GQ
• Device Type: Network Expansion Module

Technical Specifications

• Series Compatibility: ICX 7400 / ICX 7450 Series Switches
• Interface Type: 1 × QSFP+ (Quad Small Form-Factor Pluggable Plus)
• Ethernet Standard: 40 Gigabit Ethernet (40GbE)
• Connector Type: QSFP+
• Product Type: Expansion Module
• Network Port: 1 × 40GbE QSFP+
• Port Speed: 40 Gbps
• Form Factor: Plug-in Module
• Power Consumption (Typical): 5.64 W
• Power Consumption (Maximum): 7.38 W
• Management: Controlled via host ICX switch

Compliance & Environment

• RoHS, WEEE, REACH compliant
• Optimized for enterprise LAN and data center networks

Brocade ICX7400-1X40GQ Expansion Module Overview

The Brocade ICX7400-1X40GQ 1-Port 40 GBE QSFP+ Expansion Module is designed to deliver high-speed connectivity and advanced scalability for enterprise and data center environments. This module provides a single QSFP+ port capable of supporting 40 Gigabit Ethernet, ensuring that organizations can meet the growing demands of bandwidth-intensive applications. By integrating seamlessly with Brocade ICX7400 series switches, it enhances network performance, reduces latency, and supports modern workloads that require rapid data transfer and reliable communication.

High-Speed Connectivity with QSFP+ Technology

The QSFP+ interface of the Brocade ICX7400-1X40GQ module enables efficient transmission of data at 40 Gbps, making it ideal for backbone connections, aggregation layers, and high-performance computing clusters. This technology ensures that enterprises can handle large volumes of traffic without bottlenecks, supporting virtualization, cloud services, and multimedia applications. The module’s design emphasizes stability and throughput, allowing IT teams to deploy it in mission-critical environments where consistent performance is essential.

Advantages of 40 Gigabit Ethernet

40 Gigabit Ethernet provides a significant leap in speed compared to traditional 10 Gigabit solutions, offering four times the bandwidth in a single port. This advancement allows organizations to consolidate multiple 10G links into one 40G connection, simplifying cabling infrastructure and reducing operational complexity. The Brocade ICX7400-1X40GQ module leverages this capability to deliver streamlined connectivity, ensuring that enterprises can scale their networks efficiently while maintaining high reliability and performance.

Support for Modern Applications

Applications such as big data analytics, artificial intelligence, and real-time video streaming demand massive bandwidth and low latency. The Brocade ICX7400-1X40GQ module is engineered to meet these requirements, providing the necessary throughput for seamless operation. By supporting QSFP+ optics and cables, it enables flexible deployment options across different environments, ensuring compatibility with diverse networking setups and future-proofing investments in infrastructure.

Integration with Brocade 

The ICX7400 series switches are known for their modularity, scalability, and enterprise-grade performance. The ICX7400-1X40GQ expansion module integrates directly into these switches, enhancing their capabilities by adding high-speed uplink options. This integration allows IT administrators to design networks that can adapt to evolving business needs, supporting both current workloads and future growth. The module’s compatibility ensures that organizations can maximize the value of their existing hardware while extending functionality through modular upgrades.

Scalability and Flexibility

One of the key benefits of the ICX7400-1X40GQ module is its ability to scale network capacity without requiring complete hardware replacements. Enterprises can add the module to existing switches to increase bandwidth, enabling them to support more users, devices, and applications. This scalability reduces costs and simplifies network expansion, making it an attractive solution for organizations that anticipate rapid growth or fluctuating demands in their IT infrastructure.

Seamless Deployment

The module is designed for easy installation, allowing IT teams to deploy it quickly without extensive configuration. Its plug-and-play nature ensures minimal downtime during upgrades, and its compatibility with Brocade’s management tools provides centralized control over network operations. This seamless deployment process enhances efficiency, enabling organizations to focus on strategic initiatives rather than troubleshooting complex hardware integrations.

Performance and Reliability

Performance and reliability are critical in enterprise networking, and the Brocade ICX7400-1X40GQ module delivers on both fronts. With its robust design and advanced engineering, it ensures consistent throughput and minimal packet loss, even under heavy traffic loads. The module’s reliability makes it suitable for environments where downtime is unacceptable, such as financial institutions, healthcare facilities, and large-scale data centers.

Enhanced Network Efficiency

By consolidating multiple connections into a single 40G link, the module reduces network complexity and improves efficiency. This consolidation minimizes the number of cables and ports required, lowering power consumption and cooling needs. The result is a more streamlined and cost-effective network infrastructure that delivers high performance without unnecessary overhead.

Latency for Critical Workloads

Latency is a major concern in applications such as trading platforms, telemedicine, and collaborative design environments. The ICX7400-1X40GQ module addresses this challenge by providing low-latency connections that ensure real-time responsiveness. This capability enhances user experience and supports mission-critical operations where delays can have significant consequences.

Networking Investment

Investing in the Brocade ICX7400-1X40GQ module ensures that organizations are prepared for future networking demands. As data volumes continue to grow and applications become more bandwidth-intensive, the need for high-speed connectivity will only increase. This module provides a pathway to meet those demands, offering a scalable and reliable solution that aligns with long-term IT strategies.

Support for Emerging Technologies

Emerging technologies such as 5G, edge computing, and IoT require robust networking infrastructure to function effectively. The ICX7400-1X40GQ module supports these innovations by delivering the necessary bandwidth and reliability. Its ability to integrate with modern architectures ensures that enterprises can adopt new technologies without overhauling their existing networks, providing a smooth transition to next-generation solutions.

Long-Term Value

The module’s durability and compatibility with Brocade’s ecosystem provide long-term value for organizations. By extending the life of existing switches and enabling future upgrades, it reduces the need for frequent hardware replacements. This longevity translates into cost savings and improved return on investment, making it a strategic choice for enterprises focused on sustainable growth.

Compatibility with Optics and Cables

The module supports a variety of QSFP+ optics, including SR4, LR4, and passive copper cables. This compatibility allows organizations to tailor their deployments to specific requirements, whether they need short-range connections within a rack or long-range links across data centers. The flexibility ensures that the module can adapt to diverse networking environments, providing reliable performance in any scenario.

Energy Efficiency

Energy efficiency is a critical consideration in modern networking, and the ICX7400-1X40GQ module is designed to minimize power consumption. By consolidating multiple connections into a single high-speed link, it reduces the overall energy footprint of the network. This efficiency supports sustainability initiatives and helps organizations lower operational costs while maintaining high performance.

Use Cases and Applications

The Brocade ICX7400-1X40GQ module is suitable for a wide range of applications, from enterprise networking to data center interconnects. Its high-speed connectivity and reliability make it ideal for environments that require robust performance and scalability. By supporting diverse use cases, the module provides organizations with the flexibility to meet their unique networking needs.

Enterprise Networking

In enterprise environments, the module supports high-speed uplinks between core and distribution layers, ensuring seamless communication across departments and locations. Its ability to handle large volumes of traffic makes it suitable for organizations with thousands of users and devices, providing reliable connectivity for business-critical applications.

Data Center Interconnects

Data centers require high-bandwidth connections to support virtualization, cloud services, and storage networks. The ICX7400-1X40GQ module delivers the necessary throughput for these applications, enabling efficient data transfer and reducing latency. Its compatibility with QSFP+ optics ensures that it can support both short-range and long-range connections, making it versatile for diverse data center architectures.

High-Performance Computing

High-performance computing environments demand low-latency, high-bandwidth connections to support complex simulations and data analysis. The ICX7400-1X40GQ module provides the performance required for these workloads, ensuring that researchers and engineers can access the resources they need without delays. Its reliability makes it suitable for mission-critical projects where accuracy and speed are paramount.

Cloud and Virtualization

Cloud services and virtualization platforms rely on robust networking to deliver seamless user experiences. The ICX7400-1X40GQ module supports these environments by providing high-speed uplinks that ensure efficient resource allocation and workload distribution. Its scalability allows organizations to expand their cloud infrastructure without compromising performance, supporting growth and innovation in digital services.