HPE 649283-B21 InfiniBand 10GB 40GB Dual Port 544FLR-QSFP G8 Adapter

HPE 649283-B2110GB/40GB Dual Port 544FLR-QSFP G8 Adapter

The HPE 649283-B21 InfiniBand Dual Port 544FLR-QSFP G8 Adapter is a powerful enterprise-grade networking solution designed for high-speed data processing, low-latency communication, and scalable server environments. Built on advanced Mellanox technology, this adapter delivers exceptional throughput for modern data centers, cloud computing infrastructures, and high-performance computing (HPC) workloads.

General Information

• Manufacturer: Hewlett Packard Enterprise (HPE)
• Part Number: 649283-B21
• Product Type: Network Adapter / InfiniBand Host Channel Adapter (HCA)

Technical Specifications

• Device Type: InfiniBand / Ethernet Network Adapter (HCA)
• Form Factor: FlexibleLOM (slot-specific integrated module)
• Network Processor: Mellanox ConnectX-3 VPI architecture
• Bus Interface: PCI Express 3.0 x8 high-speed connection

Port Configuration and Connectivity

• Dual QSFP (Quad Small Form-factor Pluggable) ports
• High-density external interface design
• Support for dual-function data transmission

Performance Capabilities

• InfiniBand Speed: Up to 40 Gbps Quad Data Rate (QDR)
• Ethernet Speed: Supports 10 Gbps and up to 40 Gbps bidirectional throughput
• Low-latency data transfer for HPC environments

Virtualization and Traffic Management

• Virtual Protocol Interconnect (VPI) support
• Dual-port InfiniBand or Ethernet mode configuration
• Hybrid mixed-mode networking support
• Hardware-based Quality of Service (QoS)
• Advanced congestion control and traffic optimization

Scalable Networking Flexibility

• Supports multiple network protocols (InfiniBand and Ethernet)
• Highly scalable for growing enterprise infrastructures
• Ideal for virtualization and cloud computing platforms

High Throughput and Reliability

• Stable high-bandwidth data transmission
• Reduced packet loss under heavy workloads
• Improved workload balancing and network efficiency

Server Compatibility

• DL160 Gen8
• DL360p Gen8
• DL380p Gen8
• DL385p Gen8
• DL560 Gen8

HPE ProLiant SL Series Support

• SL230s Gen8
• SL250s Gen8
• SL270s Gen8

Transceiver and Cabling Compatibility

• Passive and active QSFP+ Twinax cables
• Short-range connectivity up to approximately 7 meters
• Ideal for low-latency rack-to-rack communication

Optical Transceiver Support

• QSFP+ SR4 and LR4 optical modules
• MPO/MTP multi-fiber connector compatibility
• Single-mode fiber support for long-distance networking

High-Performance Computing (HPC)

• Scientific simulations and research clusters
• AI and machine learning workloads
• Big data analytics platforms

Enterprise Data Centers

• Cloud infrastructure networking
• Virtualized server environments
• High-speed storage networking (SAN)

Financial and Mission-Critical Systems

• Low-latency trading systems
• Real-time transaction processing
• High-availability enterprise applications

HPE 649283-B21 Adapter

• Ultra-low latency communication
• High bandwidth up to 40Gbps QDR
• Efficient traffic management with QoS support

Operational Efficiency

• Reduced CPU overhead through hardware acceleration
• Improved network resource utilization
• Seamless integration with HPE server ecosystems

Reliability and Stability

• Enterprise-grade durability
• Consistent high-load performance
• Optimized for 24/7 data center operation

HPE 649283-B21 InfiniBand 10GB 40GB G8 Adapter Overview

The HPE 649283-B21 InfiniBand 10GB 40GB Dual Port 544FLR-QSFP G8 Adapter is designed for enterprise-grade computing environments where high throughput, ultra-low latency, and scalable interconnect performance are critical. Built for Hewlett Packard Enterprise server ecosystems, this adapter is optimized to support data-intensive workloads in modern data centers, cloud computing environments, virtualization clusters, and high-performance computing (HPC) architectures. It delivers a flexible networking foundation capable of handling both 10 Gigabit Ethernet and 40 Gigabit InfiniBand communication modes depending on configuration and infrastructure requirements.

As organizations continue to expand their digital operations, the need for reliable and high-speed data transfer mechanisms becomes more significant. This adapter addresses that demand by integrating advanced QSFP-based connectivity and dual-port architecture, allowing simultaneous data paths and enhanced redundancy. It is particularly suited for environments where consistent uptime and minimal latency variation are essential, such as financial modeling systems, scientific simulations, and large-scale database operations.

Architecture 544FLR-QSFP G8 Adapter

The architecture of the HPE 544FLR-QSFP G8 Adapter is built around a high-performance network controller that supports InfiniBand and Ethernet protocols. This dual-protocol capability enables seamless integration into hybrid networking environments where different workloads require different communication standards. The adapter is engineered for flexibility and scalability, ensuring that enterprises can deploy it in both legacy and modern infrastructures without requiring significant hardware redesign.

Its FLR (FlexibleLOM Rack) form factor is specifically designed for HPE ProLiant Gen8 server systems, providing a compact yet powerful solution that reduces PCIe slot usage while maintaining maximum bandwidth efficiency. The QSFP interface allows high-density connectivity and supports advanced cabling solutions that are widely used in modern data center topologies. This ensures compatibility with both short-range and long-range optical or copper interconnects depending on deployment needs.

Dual Port High-Speed Data Channel

The dual-port configuration of this adapter significantly enhances network throughput and operational resilience. Each port operates independently, enabling parallel data transmission streams that reduce congestion and improve overall system performance. This is particularly useful in environments where multiple virtual machines or containerized applications are sharing the same physical hardware resources.

In high-performance computing clusters, dual-port adapters play a crucial role in maintaining balanced workloads across nodes. The ability to distribute network traffic efficiently ensures that no single port becomes a bottleneck, which is essential for maintaining consistent computational performance in distributed systems.

Load Distribution and Failover Capabilities

One of the key advantages of the dual-port design is its inherent support for load balancing and failover mechanisms. When configured correctly, the adapter can automatically reroute traffic from one port to another in case of hardware or link failure. This ensures continuous network availability and minimizes downtime, which is a critical requirement for mission-critical enterprise applications.

Load distribution also improves overall bandwidth utilization by allowing simultaneous data streams to be processed across both ports. This reduces latency spikes and enhances application responsiveness, particularly in environments that rely heavily on real-time data processing.

InfiniBand and Ethernet Convergence

The HPE 649283-B21 adapter supports both InfiniBand and Ethernet networking standards, making it a versatile solution for converged network environments. InfiniBand technology is widely recognized for its ultra-low latency and high throughput capabilities, making it ideal for HPC workloads, while Ethernet remains the dominant standard for general enterprise networking.

By supporting both technologies, this adapter enables organizations to gradually transition between network infrastructures without the need for immediate large-scale hardware replacement. This flexibility is particularly valuable in hybrid cloud environments where workloads may shift between on-premises and cloud-based resources.

InfiniBand Performance Optimization

InfiniBand support within this adapter allows for extremely low-latency communication between compute nodes. This is achieved through hardware-level message passing that bypasses traditional network stack overhead, resulting in faster data transfer speeds and reduced CPU utilization. As a result, more processing power is available for application-level tasks rather than network management.

In scientific computing and machine learning environments, where large datasets must be processed in parallel, InfiniBand provides the necessary interconnect performance to maintain computational efficiency. This ensures that distributed workloads scale effectively without performance degradation.

Ethernet Compatibility and Integration

In addition to InfiniBand capabilities, the adapter supports 10 Gigabit Ethernet connectivity, making it suitable for standard enterprise networking environments. This ensures compatibility with existing network infrastructure, including switches, routers, and storage systems that rely on Ethernet protocols.

Ethernet integration allows organizations to maintain interoperability across different network segments, ensuring smooth communication between legacy systems and modern high-speed computing clusters. This dual compatibility reduces deployment complexity and enhances long-term infrastructure scalability.

QSFP Interface Technology

The QSFP (Quad Small Form-factor Pluggable) interface used in the HPE 544FLR-QSFP G8 Adapter is a key component in achieving high-speed data transfer rates. QSFP technology supports multiple data lanes within a single module, enabling aggregated bandwidth that significantly exceeds traditional network interfaces.

This high-density interface is particularly beneficial in data centers where rack space optimization is critical. By consolidating multiple communication channels into a single port, QSFP reduces cable clutter and improves airflow within server racks, contributing to better thermal management and system reliability.

Signal Integrity and Transmission Stability

Maintaining signal integrity is essential in high-speed networking environments, and the QSFP interface is engineered to minimize signal degradation over distance. Advanced encoding techniques and error correction mechanisms ensure that data is transmitted accurately even under high-load conditions.

This reliability is crucial in environments such as financial trading systems and real-time analytics platforms, where even minor packet loss or latency fluctuations can have significant operational impacts.

HPE Server Integration and Gen8 Compatibility

The HPE 649283-B21 adapter is specifically designed for integration with HPE ProLiant Gen8 servers, ensuring optimal compatibility and performance alignment. The FLR form factor allows seamless installation within supported server models without requiring additional PCIe expansion slots.

This tight integration with server hardware ensures that the adapter operates efficiently within the system’s architecture, leveraging shared resources and optimized firmware support. It also simplifies deployment and maintenance, reducing overall operational complexity for IT administrators.

Firmware Optimization

HPE provides dedicated firmware and driver support for this adapter, ensuring compatibility with enterprise operating systems and virtualization platforms. Regular updates help maintain security, stability, and performance optimization across evolving IT environments.

These software enhancements also enable advanced networking features such as traffic prioritization, VLAN segmentation, and quality of service management, which are essential for modern enterprise network architectures.

High Performance Computing 

This adapter is widely used in high-performance computing clusters where massive parallel processing is required. Its ability to deliver consistent low-latency communication between nodes makes it ideal for workloads such as computational fluid dynamics, genomic sequencing, artificial intelligence training, and large-scale simulations.

In data center environments, the adapter supports virtualization platforms by enabling high-speed VM-to-VM communication and efficient storage access. This improves overall system responsiveness and reduces bottlenecks in virtualized infrastructures.

Scalability, Reliability, and Enterprise

Scalability is a key factor in modern network design, and the HPE 649283-B21 adapter is built to support growing infrastructure demands. Its architecture allows seamless expansion of network capacity without requiring fundamental changes to existing hardware systems.

Reliability is enhanced through redundant port configuration and robust hardware design, ensuring continuous operation even under heavy workloads. This makes it suitable for mission-critical environments where downtime is not acceptable.