720207-001 HPE BLc 40G QSFP+ to QSFP+ AOC 7m Active Optical Cable

Key Features and Benefits

40 Gigabit Full‑Duplex Performance

The AOC supports full‑duplex 40 Gb/s bandwidth (i.e., 10 Gb/s per lane across four lanes). This ensures that applications such as large‑scale virtualization, database clusters, high‑performance computing (HPC), and all‑flash storage can communicate at top speed. With ample headroom for growth, this solution supports future‑proof scalability.

7 Meter Active Optical Reach

With a 7 meter length, the cable bridges mid‑to‑large‑scale deployments—perfect for inter‑rack and cross‑aisle connectivity. The active optical design leverages embedded transceivers and optical fiber to deliver longer distances than copper while consuming less power and generating lower heat. It also eliminates electromagnetic interference (EMI) concerns common with copper cables.

Vendor‑Certified Quality and Compatibility

As an HPE‑branded part, the 720207-001 AOC is guaranteed compatible with HPE networking and server infrastructure. It carries the HPE product warranty and technical support coverage, ensuring replacement support and peace of mind. Compatible platforms include HPE 5900/5910/5920/5930 series switches, HPE FlexFabric modules, HPE Synergy Link modules, and selected HPE storage and compute blades.

Low Power Consumption & Thermal Advantages

Compared to passive copper cables and DACs (Direct Attach Copper), active optical cables draw less power per port and produce less heat—improving overall thermal design for densely packed switch configurations. Reduced thermal load helps maintain reliability and lowers data‑center cooling costs.

EMI Immunity & Signal Integrity

The optical medium is inherently immune to EMI and crosstalk, making it ideal for environments with high‑density electrical equipment and critical noise‑sensitive operations. This ensures stable, error‑free 40 Gb/s communications over the 7 m span—even in electrically noisy environments.

Applications and Use Cases

Top‑of‑Rack (ToR) and Leaf‑Spine Architectures

Deploying this cable between leaf and spine switches is ideal for modern data center network fabrics. The high throughput aligns with spine‑leaf topologies requiring low‑latency, high‑bandwidth links. A 7 m reach supports flexible placement of ToR and aggregation switches across aisles or racks.

Storage Area Networks (SAN) and NVMe‑over‑Fabrics

This AOC delivers the high bandwidth required by NVMe‑over‑Fabrics, all‑flash SANs, and storage arrays that leverage multi‑lane connectivity for parallel I/O. Its certified compatibility ensures predictable performance in storage clusters and high‑availability environments.

High‑Performance Computing (HPC) Clusters

In HPC deployments, where compute nodes must exchange data rapidly using MPI protocols, the low latency and high throughput of the 720205‑B21 cable enable tight inter‑process communication. Its optical design also mitigates turbocoupling and electrical crosstalk in densely packed HPC racks.

Virtualization and Cloud Infrastructure

Within environments hosting hundreds or thousands of VMs, backbone links connecting virtualization hosts or hyperconverged nodes must not be bottlenecks. This cable ensures fast VM migration, storage I/O, and replication traffic flows, aligning with performance‑driven virtualization strategies.

Electrical and Optical

• Bandwidth: 40 Gb/s (4 x 10 Gb/s lanes)
• Connector: QSFP+ (quad small form‑factor pluggable plus)
• Medium: Optical fiber with embedded active electronics
• Signal Type: Full‑duplex using optical transceivers

Environmental and Operational

• Operating Temperature: Typically 0 °C to 70 °C (check datasheet)
• Storage Temperature: –40 °C to +85 °C
• Power Consumption: Lower than equivalent copper DACs

Compliance and Certifications

• Industry standards: QSFP+ MSA compliant
• HPE hardware & firmware validated
• RoHS and WEEE compliant (environmental disposal regulations)

Installation and Handling Guidelines

Plug‑and‑Play Simplicity

Install the cable by plugging each QSFP+ connector into the appropriate port—no additional configuration is required. The system auto‑negotiates and recognizes a 40 Gb/s channel. Always confirm the port and module firmware support 40G operation for full compatibility.

Physical Handling Best Practices

Handle the AOC by the connector housing—not the delicate fiber or cable jacket. Use gentle loading and ensure no tight bends (minimum bend radius as per datasheet). Do not step on, twist, or excessively pull the cable, as this can damage the embedded optics.

Routing and Support Suggestions

Route the cable with service loops to allow movement and airflow. Use cable management rings or trays to avoid pressure points. In high‑density racks, label both ends of the AOC for clear port assignment and faster maintenance.

Compatibility Matrix and Ordering Tips

Compatible HPE Hardware Models

• HPE FlexFabric 5900, 5910, 5920, and 5930 Ethernet switches
• HPE 3PAR Storage with QSFP+ uplink modules
• HPE Synergy, Hyper Converged and Virtual Connect modules
• HPE ProLiant Gen10/Gen11 servers with QSFP+ mezzanine slots (Direct‑Attach to spine switches)

Choosing Active vs. Passive Options

• Choose AOC when distances exceed copper DAC limitations (typically > 3 m).
• Prefer optics (transceivers + fiber) when flexibility, EMI resilience, and serviceability matter.
• For short (< 3 m), cost‑sensitive connections, copper DACs may be more economical—but at the cost of higher power and EMI.

Ordering Guidance

When specifying this cable: ensure the full part number “HPE 720207-001” is used and verify “7m” length to avoid mix‑ups with other lengths (1 m, 3 m, 10 m). Confirm QSFP+ port counts and velocity support in your switches or servers—especially if pooling multiple cables on top‑of‑rack designs.

Performance and Maintenance Considerations

Monitoring Link Health

Modern HPE switches and adapters provide optical diagnostics such as optical power, temperature, and fault detection via Digital Optical Monitoring (DOM). Leverage these features to monitor link health and proactively replace potentially failing cables.

Lifecycle and Warranty Support

The HPE 720207-001 cable carries standard HPE warranty and can be replaced under warranty when used in certified HPE environments. Review the supported lifecycle documentation to align cable replacement with maintenance windows and lifecycle refresh plans.

Failure Modes and Troubleshooting

Common failure modes include bent fibers, connector dust, or damaged optics. When diagnosing link issues:

• Inspect both connectors for debris or damage and clean with fiber‑safe lint‑free wipes or cleaning tools.
• Replace the cable to test link behavior—swapping with a known good AOC verifies whether the issue is cable‑specific.
• Confirm via switch diagnostics whether link faults report optical issues; check firmware levels if necessary.

Short‑Reach AOC Alternatives (≤ 3 m)

HPE also offers shorter AOC options (1 m, 3 m) for tight‑space, high‑density rack environments. These deliver the same 40 Gb/s performance with even lower latency and minimal cable bulk—ideal for switch‑to‑server or adjacent‑rack designs.

Longer‑Reach AOC and Fiber Optic Alternatives (≥ 10 m)

For deployments requiring spans over 10 meters, HPE provides longer AOCs (e.g., 10 m, 15 m) or discrete QSFP+ transceiver + OM3/OM4 fiber assemblies. While these offer longer reach, they may require patch‑panel routing and additional connectors.

QSFP+ Transceiver Modules and Fiber Cable Assemblies

Customers needing flexibility within fiber infrastructures may opt for QSFP+ SR4, LR4, or CWDM4 transceivers with LC or MPO fiber cable assemblies. These modular options facilitate mixed‑vendor or optical‑centric designs but often at higher cost and complexity.

Future‑Ready QSFP‑DD and 100 Gb/s AOCs

As next‑gen deployments adopt QSFP‑double‑density (QSFP‑DD) or 100 Gb/s lanes, HPE offers corresponding high‑speed AOCs. Transitioning from 40 Gb/s to 100 Gb/s is simplified when current infrastructure uses optical‑friendly practices like those embodied by the 720207-001.