720187-B21 HPE Bladesystem C-Class 40GB QSFP+ SR4 Transceiver

Overview of the HPE 40Gb QSFP+ SR4 100M Transceiver

The HPE 720187-B21 BladeSystem C-Class 40Gb QSFP+ SR4 transceiver is a high-speed networking component designed to deliver reliable and efficient optical connectivity in enterprise-grade data environments. Built by Hewlett Packard Enterprise (HPE), this module supports ultra-fast 40 Gigabit Ethernet transmission, making it ideal for modern data centers, cloud infrastructure, and high-performance networking systems requiring stable and scalable bandwidth performance.

General Information

• Manufacturer Brand: Hewlett Packard Enterprise (HPE)
• Model / Part Number: 720187-B21
• Product Classification: Networking hardware transceiver module
• Category Type: Data communication and networking equipment
• Device Format: QSFP+ optical transceiver

Technical Specification

• Data Rate: 40 Gigabit Ethernet (40 Gbps high-speed transmission)
• Network Standard: Supports 40GbE architecture for enterprise networking
• Signal Technology: Short Reach (SR4) optical transmission
• Connection Interface: 1 x MPO duplex connector supporting 40GBase-SR4
• Fiber Type Compatibility: Multi-mode fiber (MMF)
• Optimized Reach Distance: Up to 100 meters depending on fiber quality
• Performance Level: Stable 40Gbps low-latency data transfer

Connectivity and Interface

• MPO duplex interface designed for high-density fiber connections
• QSFP+ form factor for compact and efficient deployment
• Plug-and-play compatibility with supported HPE networking devices
• Compliant with 40 Gigabit Ethernet networking protocols
• Designed for high-speed optical switching environments
• Supports modern data center architecture requirements

Compatibility

• Compatible with HPE BladeSystem C-Class networking infrastructure
• Works with QSFP+ supported switches and routers in enterprise environments
• Suitable for HPE FlexFabric and related 40GbE switching platforms
• Designed for multi-mode fiber cabling systems using MPO connectors
• Optimized for data center-grade HPE networking hardware ecosystems

The HPE 720187-B21 C-Class 40GB QSFP+ SR4 100M Transceiver

The HPE 720187-B21 Bladesystem C-Class 40GB QSFP+ SR4 100M Transceiver belongs to a high-performance optical transceiver category designed for enterprise-grade data center networking, high-speed blade systems, and cloud infrastructure environments. This category represents a critical component in modern high-bandwidth networking architectures where low latency, high throughput, and stable optical signal transmission are required for mission-critical applications. It is specifically engineered to support 40 Gigabit Ethernet (40GbE) connections using QSFP+ form factor technology, ensuring seamless integration within HPE BladeSystem C-Class infrastructures and compatible networking hardware ecosystems.

High-Speed Data Center Optical Transceiver

The category of 40GbE QSFP+ SR4 transceivers is centered on optical communication technology that enables fast data transmission across short-range multimode fiber links. These transceivers utilize parallel optics and multiple lanes to achieve aggregated bandwidth of 40Gbps. The SR4 specification indicates Short Range 4-lane architecture, typically using four independent optical lanes for transmitting and receiving data simultaneously. This technology is widely deployed in high-density data centers where server-to-switch and switch-to-switch communication must be optimized for speed and efficiency.

The HPE 720187-B21 module ensures compatibility with OM3 and OM4 multimode fiber cables, allowing transmission distances of up to 100 meters depending on fiber quality and network configuration. This makes it ideal for rack-to-rack or intra-data-center connections where high bandwidth and low latency are essential.

QSFP+ Form Factor

QSFP+ (Quad Small Form-factor Pluggable Plus) is a widely adopted interface standard in enterprise networking environments. The category of QSFP+ SR4 transceivers, including the HPE 720187-B21 model, supports compact, hot-pluggable modules that enable flexible deployment in high-density switch environments. The form factor integrates four independent transmit and receive channels, each operating at 10Gbps, combining to deliver a total throughput of 40Gbps.

The physical architecture of this category ensures minimal space consumption on networking hardware while maximizing port density. This is especially important in modern blade systems and modular switches where rack space optimization is a priority. The design also supports low power consumption and efficient thermal performance, making it suitable for continuous 24/7 enterprise workloads.

Features of 40GB QSFP+ SR4 Transceivers

A defining characteristic of this category is the use of parallel optical lanes. Each transceiver includes four separate fiber channels that work in parallel to achieve high-speed data transmission. This architecture significantly improves data throughput while maintaining signal integrity across short distances.

Multi-Mode Fiber

The HPE 720187-B21 transceiver category is optimized for multimode fiber infrastructure, particularly OM3 and OM4 cables. These fiber types are commonly used in data centers due to their cost-effectiveness and ability to support high bandwidth over short distances.

Enterprise Data Center

The HPE 720187-B21 Bladesystem C-Class 40GB QSFP+ SR4 100M Transceiver category is widely used in enterprise data centers, cloud computing environments, virtualization clusters, and high-performance computing (HPC) infrastructures. It plays a vital role in connecting blade servers to top-of-rack (ToR) switches, enabling fast communication between compute nodes and storage systems.

In virtualization environments, this category supports large-scale VM migration, distributed storage access, and high-speed clustering. In cloud infrastructure, it facilitates seamless data flow between compute and storage layers, ensuring minimal latency and maximum bandwidth utilization.

BladeSystem C-Class Integration

This transceiver category is specifically optimized for integration with HPE BladeSystem C-Class architectures. Blade systems rely heavily on compact, high-performance networking components to maintain internal communication between blades, interconnect modules, and external network fabrics.

The HPE 720187-B21 module ensures reliable connectivity within these environments by supporting high-density port configurations and maintaining consistent optical performance under heavy workloads. It enhances overall system scalability and ensures that blade infrastructures can support evolving enterprise demands.

Reduced Latency

By leveraging parallel optical transmission and high-speed signaling, this transceiver category significantly reduces latency in data communication pathways. This is critical for applications such as financial trading systems, real-time analytics, and distributed computing.

Deployment Considerations

Deploying transceivers in this category requires attention to fiber cable type, connector cleanliness, and proper alignment of QSFP+ ports. Installation is typically straightforward due to the hot-pluggable nature of the module. However, ensuring correct polarity in MPO/MTP fiber connectors is essential for optimal performance.

Network engineers often deploy these modules in pairs across switches or between blade enclosures and aggregation layers. Proper cable management and airflow optimization within racks further enhance performance and longevity.

Reliability and Enterprise-Grade Durability

This category is engineered to meet strict enterprise reliability standards. It undergoes rigorous testing for thermal stability, signal accuracy, and long-term operational durability. The robust construction ensures consistent performance even in high-temperature or high-density data center environments.

The module’s durability makes it suitable for continuous operation in environments where downtime is not acceptable, such as financial institutions, government data centers, and cloud service providers.

Scalability in Modern Network Architectures

Scalability is a fundamental requirement in modern networking environments. The HPE 720187-B21 transceiver category supports scalable architectures by enabling modular expansion of network capacity. Organizations can easily upgrade from lower-speed connections to 40GbE links without redesigning the entire infrastructure.

This flexibility supports growing data demands, cloud expansion, and increasing virtualization workloads, making it a future-ready networking solution.

Use Cases

Cloud computing environments rely heavily on high-speed interconnects between servers, storage arrays, and virtualization platforms. The HPE 720187-B21 category enables efficient virtual machine migration, distributed computing, and container orchestration workloads.

In virtualization clusters, this transceiver supports fast synchronization between nodes, reducing downtime during maintenance and improving workload balancing efficiency across the infrastructure.