844381-001 HPE 840z Dual Port 100GB Network Adapter

Overview of HPE 844381-001 2-Port 100Gb InfiniBand Adapter 

The HPE 844381-001 840z Dual Port 100Gb InfiniBand Adapter is a high-performance networking solution designed for modern enterprise data centers, HPC (High Performance Computing) environments, and cloud-scale infrastructures. Engineered to deliver ultra-low latency and extremely high throughput, this adapter enables seamless data transmission across demanding workloads, ensuring maximum efficiency, scalability, and reliability.

General Information

• Manufacturer: HPE
• Part Number: 844381-001
• Product Type: Network Adapter

Technical Specifications

• Maximum Throughput: Up to 100 Gbps per port
• Interface Type: PCI Express 3.0 x16 Mezzanine
• PCIE Revision: PCIE 3.0 compliant
• Compliance: IBTA 1.3 
• Processor: Single Mellanox ConnectX-4 processor
• Form Factor: Mezzanine adapter
• Ports: Dual InfiniBand EDR ports
• Protocol Support: InfiniBand data link protocol

Integrated Processing Unit

• Processor Type: Mellanox ConnectX-4
• Configuration: Single high-performance embedded processor
• Optimization: Designed for low-latency packet processing

The HPE 844381-001 840z 1 Dual Port 100Gb InfiniBand Processor is a high-performance enterprise-grade networking adapter designed to deliver ultra-low latency, extremely high bandwidth, and scalable interconnect capabilities for modern data center infrastructures. Built on advanced Mellanox ConnectX-4 architecture and compliant with IBTA 1.3 standards, this adapter is engineered for mission-critical workloads where speed, reliability, and efficiency are essential. It is widely deployed in high-performance computing (HPC), cloud computing environments, large-scale virtualization platforms, and enterprise storage systems that demand consistent and predictable network throughput.

High-Performance InfiniBand Architecture

Enhanced Data Rate (EDR) InfiniBand is a next-generation networking standard that provides up to 100 gigabits per second per port. Unlike conventional Ethernet-based networking, InfiniBand is purpose-built for HPC workloads, offering extremely low latency, hardware-based transport offloading, and remote direct memory access (RDMA) capabilities. The 844381-001 adapter leverages these features to ensure near-zero CPU overhead during data transmission, allowing compute resources to remain fully dedicated to application workloads rather than network processing.

Advanced Architecture

The architecture of the HPE 844381-001 840z InfiniBand adapter is built around high-efficiency packet processing and hardware acceleration. At its core, the Mellanox ConnectX-4 processor provides a sophisticated engine capable of handling high-speed data transfers with minimal CPU overhead. This offloading capability is critical in large-scale systems where compute resources must remain dedicated to application workloads rather than network processing tasks.

Mellanox ConnectX-4 Technology

At the heart of the HPE 844381-001 adapter lies the Mellanox ConnectX-4 technology, which is known for its high throughput capabilities and advanced network offloading features. This chipset is widely recognized in enterprise environments for its ability to deliver consistent 100Gb/s performance across demanding workloads.

Mezzanine Form Factor

The mezzanine architecture of the HPE 844381-001 adapter is specifically designed for tight integration. Rather than occupying standard PCIE slots, the adapter connects through a dedicated mezzanine interface that provides direct access to system buses while maintaining compact internal layouts. This design enables higher compute density per rack unit, making it ideal for data centers that prioritize scalability and space efficiency. The reduced cabling complexity also enhances airflow management, resulting in improved thermal performance and reduced cooling overhead.

Dual Port 100Gb InfiniBand Capability

The dual-port configuration of the HPE 844381-001 840z adapter provides significant advantages in redundancy, throughput, and load balancing. Each port is capable of delivering up to 100Gb/s bandwidth, allowing for a combined potential throughput that supports extremely data-intensive environments.

Redundant Network Design for High Availability

Redundancy is a key requirement in enterprise data centers, and the dual-port design ensures continuous network availability even if one port experiences issues. This design reduces downtime risks and enhances system reliability for critical operations that require uninterrupted connectivity.

RDMA Technology 

Remote Direct Memory Access (RDMA) is a key feature supported by the HPE 844381-001 adapter. RDMA allows direct memory-to-memory data transfer between systems without involving the CPU, significantly reducing latency and improving throughput.

PCI Express Integration

The adapter is designed for seamless integration into PCI Express-based server architectures, ensuring high bandwidth availability and compatibility with modern enterprise systems. Its design allows for efficient communication between the network interface and the system motherboard.

High-Speed Bus Interface Optimization

The PCI Express interface provides a high-speed communication channel between the adapter and the host system, ensuring that data transfer rates remain consistent with the 100Gb InfiniBand capability.

Hardware Compatibility and Deployment Flexibility

The adapter is compatible with a wide range of HPE server platforms, enabling flexible deployment across different infrastructure environments. This ensures that organizations can integrate the adapter without requiring significant hardware modifications.

Extended Performance Optimization

The HPE 844381-001 840z InfiniBand adapter is engineered for long-term scalability and performance optimization in evolving IT environments. Its architecture supports continuous performance tuning and integration with next-generation computing frameworks.