746968-001 HPE 40G QSFP+ BLC 15M AOC Cable

HPE 746968-001 40G QSFP+ BLC C-Class 15M AOC Cable Overview

The HPE 746968-001 40G QSFP+ BLC C-Class 15M AOC Cable is a high-performance optical interconnect solution designed for data centers, enterprise networks, and HPC environments requiring reliable 40GbE connectivity. As an Active Optical Cable (AOC), it combines QSFP+ transceivers with an integrated optical fiber cable, delivering a plug-and-play solution for high-speed transmission. With a length of 15 meters, it provides the flexibility to connect networking equipment across racks, ensuring low latency, energy efficiency, and superior scalability for HPE BladeSystem C-Class architectures and other compatible platforms.

Performance Features

High-Speed 40GbE Connectivity

This AOC cable supports 40 Gigabit Ethernet links, ensuring fast, stable, and efficient data transmission across enterprise-class networking infrastructure. It enables applications such as virtualization, cloud computing, and real-time analytics to run seamlessly.

15-Meter Extended Reach

The 15-meter length allows connectivity across racks in large-scale data centers, providing flexibility in network design and supporting inter-rack topologies without sacrificing performance.

Low Latency Transmission

By leveraging optical signaling, the HPE 746968-001 ensures minimal latency and jitter, making it ideal for latency-sensitive workloads such as financial trading, AI training, and HPC cluster interconnects.

Compatibility and Integration

Optimized for HPE BladeSystem C-Class

Designed to integrate seamlessly with HPE C-Class Blade Enclosures, this AOC cable enhances system efficiency by providing high-bandwidth interconnects between servers, fabric modules, and networking switches.

QSFP+ Standardized Design

The QSFP+ connectors adhere to industry standards, ensuring compatibility not only with HPE systems but also with other compliant switches, routers, and adapters in hybrid networking environments.

Plug-and-Play Deployment

With no need for additional transceivers or adapters, the cable is a cost-effective, easy-to-deploy interconnect solution that reduces installation complexity in large networks.

Enterprise Use Cases

Data Center Networking

Enterprises use this AOC cable to create high-speed interconnects between top-of-rack (ToR) switches, spine-leaf architectures, and storage servers, ensuring efficient network traffic flow in cloud and virtualized environments.

High-Performance Computing (HPC)

HPC clusters demand high-throughput, low-latency communication. The HPE 746968-001 meets these requirements by enabling fast inter-node connections, supporting parallel processing and AI-driven workloads.

Cloud and Virtualization

Cloud service providers and enterprises leveraging virtualization benefit from high-bandwidth, stable interconnects that improve VM migration, storage networking, and application responsiveness.

Financial Services and Research

The cable supports mission-critical workloads in finance, healthcare, and research where real-time data exchange is essential for predictive analytics, trading, and diagnostic applications.

Advantages of Active Optical Cables (AOCs)

Improved Signal Integrity

Unlike passive copper cables, AOCs maintain signal quality over longer distances, eliminating electromagnetic interference (EMI) and ensuring consistent high-speed data transfer.

Lightweight and Flexible Design

Optical fiber construction makes the HPE 746968-001 lighter, more flexible, and easier to manage in dense server environments compared to bulky copper alternatives.

Energy Efficiency

AOCs consume less power per bit of data transmitted, contributing to data center energy savings and supporting eco-friendly IT strategies.

Comparison with Other Interconnect Options

AOC vs DAC (Direct Attach Copper)

DACs are cost-effective for short distances but limited in reach. The HPE 746968-001, as an AOC, extends 15 meters, offering greater deployment flexibility without signal degradation.

AOC vs Optical Transceivers

Unlike discrete transceivers and fiber cables, AOCs are all-in-one integrated solutions that reduce component costs, simplify deployment, and minimize compatibility concerns.

40GbE vs 100GbE Interconnects

While 100GbE interconnects are used in ultra-large environments, 40GbE AOCs remain a cost-effective standard for mid-to-large enterprises balancing bandwidth with affordability.

Reliability and Data Protection

Durability in Enterprise Environments

Built with enterprise-grade optical components, the cable withstands continuous high-performance workloads in demanding data center conditions.

Consistent Performance

Optical fiber reduces signal attenuation, ensuring consistent throughput across the entire 15-meter length without performance drops.

Secure Data Transmission

Optical signaling minimizes risks of electrical tapping or interference, making AOCs a more secure interconnect solution compared to copper-based cables.

Industry Applications

Telecommunications

Service providers rely on QSFP+ AOCs for backbone network connectivity, enabling high-speed data transport across switching nodes.

Cloud Providers

Public and private cloud infrastructures benefit from AOCs’ scalable bandwidth for connecting storage clusters, compute racks, and networking fabrics.

Scientific Research

Research institutions handling data-intensive simulations and machine learning use AOCs to interconnect high-speed compute nodes effectively.

Media and Entertainment

Studios working on 4K/8K video rendering, streaming platforms, and content delivery networks utilize AOCs for fast and reliable high-bandwidth transmission.

Benefits of Choosing HPE 746968-001

HPE-Certified Quality

As part of the HPE networking ecosystem, the cable ensures certified compatibility, enterprise-grade reliability, and long-term vendor support.

Scalable Network Infrastructure

The cable supports future-proof network scalability, making it suitable for enterprises expanding into hybrid cloud and edge computing environments.

Lower Total Cost of Ownership

By integrating optics and cabling into one component, the AOC reduces infrastructure costs, installation time, and maintenance overhead.