843420-001 HPE EDR 100GB 2-Port 840Z Mezzanine Adapter

Overview of HPE 843420-001 Apollo InfiniBand 100Gb Adapter

The HPE 843420-001 Apollo InfiniBand EDR 100Gb 2-Port 840Z Mezzanine FIO Adapter is a high-speed networking solution engineered for demanding data center workloads, high-performance computing (HPC), and enterprise-grade server infrastructures. Designed to deliver ultra-low latency and exceptional throughput, this mezzanine adapter enhances system interconnectivity and accelerates data-intensive applications.

General Information

• Manufacturer: HPE 
• Part Number: 843420-001
• Product Type: Network Adapter

Technical Specifications

• PCI Specification: PCIE 3.0 compliant
• Interface Type: PCI Express 3.0 x16 Mezzanine
• Ports: InfiniBand EDR x 2
• Data Link Protocol: InfiniBand
• Data Transfer Rate: Up to 100 Gbps
• Processor: 1 x Mellanox ConnectX-4
• Standards Compliance: IBTA 1.3

Processor Advantages

• 1 x Mellanox ConnectX-4 network controller
• Hardware acceleration for networking tasks
• Improved latency and throughput performance
• Enhanced virtualization support

Supported Operating Systems

• SUSE Linux Enterprise Server 12 SP1
• CentOS 7.2 (64-bit)
• Red Hat Enterprise Linux 7.2 (64-bit)

Compatible Systems

• ProLiant XL230k Gen10 Compute Tray
• ProLiant XL260a Gen9
• ProLiant XL260a Gen9 Compute Tray

The HPE 843420-001 InfiniBand EDR 100GB 2-Port FIO Adapter 

The HPE 843420-001 InfiniBand EDR 100GB 2-Port 840Z Mezzanine FIO Adapter represents a critical component in modern high-performance computing (HPC) and advanced enterprise data center environments where ultra-low latency and extremely high throughput are essential. This adapter category is designed to support InfiniBand Enhanced Data Rate (EDR) technology, delivering a theoretical bandwidth of up to 100 gigabits per second per port, enabling large-scale compute clusters to communicate with exceptional speed and efficiency. The mezzanine form factor allows seamless integration into compatible HPE server platforms, especially blade and Apollo-based systems, ensuring optimized space utilization and simplified internal cabling architecture.

High-Performance Computing Ecosystems

Within HPC environments, the HPE 840Z mezzanine InfiniBand adapter category is engineered to support tightly coupled compute workloads such as scientific simulations, financial modeling, machine learning training, and real-time analytics. These workloads demand consistent and predictable inter-node communication, and the InfiniBand architecture is purpose-built to eliminate bottlenecks commonly associated with traditional Ethernet networks. By leveraging remote direct memory access (RDMA), this adapter enables direct memory-to-memory data transfer between servers without excessive CPU involvement, significantly reducing overhead and improving system efficiency.

InfiniBand EDR Technology and Architectural Advantages

InfiniBand EDR technology embedded within the HPE 843420-001 adapter provides a transformative leap in network performance compared to previous FDR and QDR standards. With support for 100Gbps per port, the adapter ensures that data-intensive workloads can scale horizontally without experiencing communication bottlenecks. The architecture is optimized for parallel processing environments, where multiple compute nodes exchange large datasets simultaneously. This makes the adapter particularly suitable for artificial intelligence training clusters, deep learning workloads, and high-frequency trading systems.

Remote Direct Memory Access Optimization

The inclusion of RDMA capabilities in this adapter category enables direct memory access between nodes without involving the host CPU or operating system kernel. This results in dramatically reduced CPU utilization and improved parallel processing efficiency. In large-scale compute clusters, this capability allows thousands of nodes to operate in a coordinated fashion while maintaining near-linear scalability.

Packet Processing Efficiency

The adapter utilizes advanced packet processing engines designed to handle high-volume data streams with minimal buffering delays. This ensures that even under peak load conditions, data transmission remains stable and consistent. The architecture is optimized to prevent congestion collapse scenarios and maintain predictable performance under sustained workloads.

Dual-Port 100GB Configuration

The dual-port configuration of the HPE 843420-001 InfiniBand EDR adapter allows simultaneous operation of two independent 100Gbps channels. This effectively doubles the potential aggregate throughput in multi-path network configurations, enabling data centers to build highly redundant and fault-tolerant communication fabrics. Each port operates independently, ensuring that traffic distribution can be optimized for load balancing or failover scenarios depending on the network architecture design.

Mezzanine FIO Adapter

The mezzanine form factor used in the HPE 843420-001 adapter is specifically engineered for blade servers and modular compute systems. This design allows the adapter to be installed directly onto server motherboards or mezzanine slots without occupying traditional PCIE expansion slots. As a result, system architects can maximize compute density while maintaining high-speed networking capabilities within a compact physical footprint.

Integration with HPE Blade and Apollo Systems

This adapter category is tightly integrated with HPE Blade System and Apollo server architectures, ensuring full compatibility with system firmware, management tools, and chassis-level networking fabrics. The integration allows for streamlined deployment and simplified management using HPE One View and other infrastructure orchestration platforms. This reduces operational complexity and enhances visibility into network performance metrics across large-scale deployments.

Thermal and Power Efficiency Design

The mezzanine adapter is engineered with optimized thermal characteristics to ensure stable operation within densely packed server environments. Efficient power utilization reduces heat generation, allowing data centers to maintain lower cooling requirements while sustaining high-performance workloads. This contributes to overall energy efficiency and reduced total cost of ownership in enterprise deployments.

Mellanox ConnectX-4 Processor Integration

At the core of the adapter lies a powerful Mellanox ConnectX-4 processor, which plays a critical role in managing network traffic, reducing CPU overhead, and optimizing packet processing efficiency.

Secure High-Speed Data Transport

While InfiniBand is primarily designed for performance, the HPE 843420-001 adapter also supports secure data transport mechanisms that protect sensitive workloads. In enterprise environments handling confidential research data or financial information, secure communication channels are essential to maintaining compliance and operational integrity.