845414-B21 HPE 100GB QSFP28 to QSFP28 15m Active Optical Cable

HPE 845414-B21 100GB 15m Active Optical Cable

The HPE 845414-B21 100GB QSFP28 to QSFP28 15m Active Optical Cable (AOC) category page delivers in-depth product information and buyer-focused guidance for data center professionals, network engineers, and IT procurement teams. This continuous description focuses on essential technical traits, practical deployment considerations, compatibility notes, performance expectations, and purchasing advice. It is optimized for search engines with a variety of relevant keywords and synonyms — HPE AOC, QSFP28 100G AOC, 100Gbps optical cable, 15m active fiber cable — while remaining readable and useful for users seeking to compare, evaluate, and select the right high-speed interconnect for their infrastructure.

Core Features and Technical Highlights

The HPE 845414-B21 belongs to the class of pre-terminated active optical cables designed for short to medium reach, high-density environments. Key selling points typically emphasized in this category include plug-and-play compatibility, factory-terminated QSFP28 connectors at both ends, low power consumption due to integrated optics, and predictable 100 Gbps throughput for latency-sensitive applications.

High-Speed 100Gbps Throughput

This AOC supports full 100Gbps aggregate bandwidth across parallel lanes, making it suitable for switch-to-switch, server-to-switch, and switch-to-cpu backplane links where sustained high throughput and minimal packet-loss are required. The QSFP28 form factor supports PAM4 or NRZ signaling depending on the transceiver and switch architecture, enabling robust data transport across modern fabrics.

15 Meter Reach — Ideal for Data Center Topography

The 15m length places this cable between short-range direct-attach options and long-haul transceivers. It is long enough to cross aisles, connect adjacent racks, or traverse raised-floor pathways while avoiding the complexity and expense of modular transceiver plus fiber patching. For many racks and pod layouts, 15m is the sweet spot for flexibility without signal repeaters.

Active Optical Cable (AOC) Advantages

• Integrated Laser Optics: Built-in optical transceivers at each end eliminate the need for separate SFP/QSFP transceivers.
• Reduced Rack Heat: Compared to some pluggable optics, modern AOCs are engineered for efficient power draw, helping maintain thermal budgets in dense switch stacks.
• Lower Total Cost of Ownership: Pre-terminated, tested assemblies reduce labor and operational errors during installation.
• EMI Immunity: Optical transmission removes electromagnetic interference concerns present with copper alternatives.

Compatibility and Interoperability

One of the most critical aspects to address on a category page is compatibility. Customers often search for "HPE compatible QSFP28 cable", "works with HPE switches", or "QSFP28 AOC for Aruba/HPE". The HPE 845414-B21 is typically marketed and validated for HPE ecosystems, but buyers should consider cross-vendor interoperability, firmware restrictions, and vendor lock-in clauses when procuring direct-attach solutions.

Vendor Compatibility Notes

• HPE Switches & Blades: Native support is expected on HPE switches and blade enclosures that accept QSFP28 AOC assemblies.
• Third-Party Switches: Many QSFP28 AOCs will function on third-party gear, but compatibility should be verified against the switch vendor's interoperability matrix.
• Firmware Considerations: Some switches may block cables with unrecognized vendor IDs; ensure switch firmware is up to date or that the vendor profile is acceptable to the customer.

Checklist for Confirming Compatibility

• Confirm QSFP28 port support (physical and logical).
• Check switch firmware release notes for vendor acceptance lists.
• Validate cable length (15m) against your rack layout and pathway constraints.
• Verify power and thermal margins in high-density environments.

Performance Characteristics and Real-World Behavior

Performance for 100G AOCs is not only about raw throughput; it also encompasses latency, jitter, error rates, and long-term stability. The HPE 845414-B21 category typically guarantees low-latency behavior suitable for leaf-spine architectures, cluster interconnects, and storage fabrics that require deterministic performance.

Latency and Jitter

Optical media naturally provide low latency compared to copper alternatives over longer runs. In environments where microseconds matter — high-frequency trading, HPC clustering, or storage replication — selecting a tested AOC with consistent timing profiles is essential.

Error Rates and Signal Integrity

Factory-terminated AOCs undergo optical and electrical testing to ensure low bit error rates (BER). Look for vendor documentation that lists pre-shipment test practices and BER thresholds — these metrics help assure sustained link quality in 24/7 operation.

Physical Design, Durability, and Handling

Cable construction, connector strain relief, and jacket material affect long-term reliability. The HPE 845414-B21 page should highlight robust mechanical attributes such as reinforced connector housings, appropriate bend-radius recommendations, and abrasion-resistant jackets for raised-floor and overhead trays.

Environmental Ratings

While AOCs are primarily intended for controlled data center interiors, the category page can note common environmental tolerances such as operating temperature ranges and humidity limits. Buyers may search for "operating temperature HPE 845414-B21" or "data center rated AOC" when vetting options for edge or non-standard environments.

Use Cases and Deployment Scenarios

To assist buying decisions, outline the most common and strategic use cases where a 100GB QSFP28 to QSFP28 15m AOC is the ideal solution.

Topology Examples

• Leaf-Spine Fabrics: High-bandwidth spine links and aggregated uplinks between spine and leaf switches.
• Top-of-Rack to Aggregation: Connecting top-of-rack (ToR) switches to adjacent aggregation or core switches within the same room or adjacent rooms.
• Server Clusters: Direct high-speed links between compute nodes for RDMA, MPI, or clustered file systems.
• Storage Networks: High-performance link for NVMe-oF or SAN fabrics where 100G links reduce bottlenecks.

Comparison: AOC vs. Pluggable Optics + Patch Fiber

Buyers often weigh the trade-offs between AOC assemblies and separate pluggable transceivers plus patch fiber. A well-structured comparison helps match solutions to operational constraints.

Advantages of AOC

• Simplified inventory and installation — one piece instead of two transceivers + fiber and patch panels.
• Pre-tested end-to-end performance under factory conditions.
• Often lower latency for comparable runs due to optimized internal optical paths.

Advantages of Pluggable Transceivers + Patch Fiber

• Flexibility to re-purpose transceivers or replace a single faulty component rather than the whole cable.
• Better suited for very long runs where single-mode optics and separate fiber cabling are necessary.
• Potential for vendor-neutral sourcing of transceivers and fibers when interoperability is a concern.

Quantity and Inventory Planning

• Purchase spares to match expected failure rates and Mean Time To Repair (MTTR) objectives.
• Consider staged procurement: pilot batch for validation, then larger volume once interoperability is confirmed.
• Document serial numbers and tag cables during deployment for traceability.