538113-B21 HPE 10 Gigabit Ethernet Expansion Module

Product Overview of the HPE 538113-B21 Expansion Module

The HPE 538113-B21 Network Expansion Module is equipped with an outstanding feature that sets it apart from other network expansion modules in the market - its exceptional speed. With a 10 Gigabit speed, this module ensures lightning-fast data transfer rates, making it ideal for organizations that require high-speed connectivity.

General Information

• Manufacturer: HPE
• Part Number: 538113-B21
• Product Type: 10 Gigabit Expansion Module

Technical Highlights

• Compact plug-in module structure
• Optimized for enterprise-grade networking
• 16 x 10 Gigabit SFP+ slots
• Supports high-speed optical fiber connectivity
• Compliant with 10 Gigabit Ethernet standards
• Compatible with PC operating environments

Expansion Slots

• Total slots available: 16
• Slot type: SFP+ for transceiver modules
• Designed for switching network applications

Interfaces & Connectivity

Port Details

• 16 x Plug-in 10GBase-X SFP+ optical fiber interfaces
• 1 x USB management port for administration

Performance Metrics

• Aggregate bandwidth capacity: 320 Gbps
• Enhanced throughput for data-intensive workloads

Operational Features

• Auto-negotiation for seamless link setup
• Fully manageable for enterprise IT environments

Status Indicators

• Port status monitoring
• Link activity indicators for real-time diagnostics

Expansion & Connectivity Summary

• 16 x 10Gb Ethernet SFP+ interfaces
• 1 x USB port dedicated to management tasks

HPE 538113-B21 10GB Ethernet Expansion Module

The 538113-B21 10Gb Ethernet Pass-thru Module is a high-density network expansion component designed for C-Class BladeSystem environments, enabling direct 10 Gigabit Ethernet connectivity between blade servers and external network infrastructure. This pass-thru architecture is engineered to simplify network topologies by providing a transparent Layer 1 connection model, ensuring that each server blade can be individually connected to external switches using dedicated SFP+ uplinks.

This module is widely used in enterprise data centers where predictable latency, simplified and direct switch mapping are essential. With support for multiple SFP+ ports, it enables flexible fiber or copper connectivity options depending on infrastructure design requirements.

Layer 1 Connectivity

The pass-thru module operates at the physical layer of networking, meaning it does not perform packet switching, routing, or buffering. Instead, it directly maps internal blade server connections to external network ports. This architecture eliminates complex switching logic inside the enclosure and shifts network intelligence to upstream top-of-rack or core switches.

High-Density Port

The module is designed with a high-density port layout that supports up to 16 SFP+ uplink interfaces. Each port provides a dedicated 10Gb Ethernet pathway, ensuring deterministic bandwidth allocation for connected blade servers. This design reduces oversubscription risk and provides predictable performance for enterprise workloads.

Passive and Transparent Data Flow

Unlike embedded switching modules, the pass-thru system ensures that data flows remain unaltered between server and external network devices. This transparency is particularly beneficial for environments requiring strict compliance, monitoring accuracy, and end-to-end visibility of network traffic paths.

Physical and Electrical Characteristics

Compact BladeSystem Integration

The HPE 538113-B21 module is engineered specifically for C-Class BladeSystem chassis integration. Its compact form factor allows it to fit seamlessly into enclosure interconnect bays without disrupting airflow or thermal balance within the chassis.

High-Speed Electrical Signaling

The module supports high-speed 10Gb Ethernet signaling across its internal backplane interfaces. This ensures that each blade server receives consistent and reliable data transmission rates with minimal signal degradation, even under high-load conditions.

Thermal Efficiency and Cooling

Designed for enterprise-grade thermal environments, the module leverages chassis airflow systems for passive cooling. Its low-power architecture minimizes heat generation, making it suitable for densely populated data center racks where thermal efficiency is critical.

Connectivity and SFP+ Expansion Capabilities

16-Port SFP+ Uplink Design

A key feature of this expansion module is its 16 x SFP+ port configuration. These ports allow administrators to connect multiple high-speed fiber optic or DAC (Direct Attach Copper) cables to upstream switches, enabling scalable network architectures for blade deployments.

Fiber and Copper Flexibility

The SFP+ interface supports a range of transceiver types, allowing the module to adapt to different network environments. Fiber optic connectivity is typically used for long-distance interconnects, while copper DAC solutions are preferred for short-range, high-efficiency data center connections.

Scalability for Growing Infrastructure

The modular design ensures that as server demand increases, additional network paths can be provisioned without redesigning the entire network fabric. This scalability makes it suitable for cloud computing environments, virtualization clusters, and enterprise application hosting platforms.

BladeSystem Compatibility and Integration

C-Class Blade Enclosure Support

The module is specifically engineered for integration into HPE C-Class BladeSystem enclosures, ensuring mechanical and electrical compatibility with existing infrastructure. It slots directly into interconnect bays designed for Ethernet pass-thru operation.

Interoperability with Enterprise Switches

The pass-thru module is designed to work seamlessly with a wide range of enterprise-grade Ethernet switches. It does not impose proprietary switching logic, ensuring compatibility with multi-vendor networking environments.

Performance and Network Efficiency

Low Latency Data Transmission

Because the module does not perform packet inspection or switching, latency is significantly reduced compared to embedded switch modules. This makes it ideal for high-performance computing workloads, financial systems, and latency-sensitive applications.

Bandwidth Consistency Across Ports

Each SFP+ connection provides dedicated bandwidth, ensuring that no shared switching fabric bottlenecks impact performance. This deterministic behavior is crucial for applications requiring consistent throughput.

Deployment Scenarios in Data Center Environments

Enterprise Virtualization Clusters

The module is commonly deployed in virtualization environments where blade servers host multiple virtual machines. Direct 10Gb connectivity ensures that virtual workloads receive sufficient network bandwidth without congestion.

Cloud Infrastructure and Private Cloud Systems

Private cloud deployments benefit from the pass-thru architecture because it simplifies network design while maintaining high throughput between compute nodes and storage systems.

High-Performance Computing Applications

HPC clusters require deterministic network behavior and minimal latency. The module’s direct pass-through design aligns with these requirements, making it suitable for scientific computing and simulation workloads.

Security and Network Segmentation Considerations

Externalized Security Enforcement

Since the module operates at Layer 1, all security enforcement such as VLAN segmentation, ACLs, and firewall policies are handled by external switches. This allows centralized security management.

Reduced Attack Surface

The absence of embedded switching logic reduces the attack surface within the enclosure, as there are fewer internal processing points for potential network-based exploitation.

Controlled Network Isolation

Network isolation is achieved through upstream infrastructure, enabling strict segmentation policies for multi-tenant environments or sensitive workloads.

Data Center Optimization

Rack Density Optimization

The compact design of the module contributes to higher rack density, allowing enterprises to maximize compute resources without expanding physical footprint.

Energy Efficiency Benefits

Lower power consumption compared to embedded switching modules contributes to improved energy efficiency across large-scale deployments.

Streamlined Network Topology

By simplifying the network architecture, the pass-thru module reduces complexity in design, deployment, and ongoing maintenance, resulting in more efficient data center operations.

Compatibility with Modern Networking Standards

10 Gigabit Ethernet Standard Compliance

The module adheres to 10Gb Ethernet standards, ensuring interoperability with modern networking equipment and maintaining performance consistency across enterprise environments.

SFP+ Ecosystem Integration

Support for the SFP+ ecosystem allows organizations to select from a wide variety of optical and copper transceivers, optimizing deployments based on distance, cost, and performance requirements.