848908-001 HPE Adapter Card for OCP Project - PCI-E 3.0X8, 2-Ports, 25Gigabit EN Optical Fiber Interface

Overview of HPE 848908-001 ConnectX-4 Lx EN Adapter Card 

The HPE 848908-001 MCX4421A-ACAN ConnectX-4 Lx EN Adapter Card is a high-speed networking solution designed for modern data centers, cloud infrastructures, and Open Compute Project (OCP) environments. Built on Mellanox ConnectX-4 Lx architecture, this adapter delivers reliable 25 Gigabit Ethernet performance with enhanced efficiency and scalability.

General Information

• Manufacturer: HPE
• Part Number: 848908-001
• Product Type: Adapter Card

Technical Specifications

• Product Name: Mellanox ConnectX-4 Lx EN MCX4421A-ACAN
• Form Factor: Plug-in PCIE Card
• Interface Type: PCI Express 3.0 x8
• Ports: Two 25 Gigabit Ethernet optical fiber interfaces
• Data Protocol: Supports 25 Gigabit LAN
• Standards Compliance: Adheres to IEEE 802.1Q, IEEE 802.3ad, and other protocols for advanced networking.

Supported PCIE Standards

• PCI Express 1.1 compatibility
• PCI Express 2.0 support
• PCI Express 3.0 full performance mode

Port Capabilities

• 2 x 25 Gigabit Ethernet ports
• Optical fiber interface support
• High-bandwidth data streaming

The HPE 848908-001 PCI-E 3.0X8, 2-Ports, 25Gigabit Adapter 

The HPE 848908-001 Adapter Card designed for the OCP (Open Compute Project) ecosystem represents a high-performance, enterprise-grade networking solution engineered to deliver ultra-fast data transmission, low latency communication, and scalable connectivity for modern data center environments. Built around a PCI Express 3.0 x8 interface and supporting dual-port 25 Gigabit Ethernet over optical fiber, this adapter card is optimized for cloud computing infrastructures, virtualization platforms, high-performance computing clusters, and hyperscale server deployments where bandwidth density and reliability are critical.

Mellanox ConnectX-4 Lx EN Network Adapter Details

This plug-in network interface card (NIC) is engineered to support demanding workloads requiring stable, high-bandwidth data transfer. It integrates seamlessly into PCI Express-based server architectures and supports multiple PCIE revisions for backward compatibility.

2-Ports

The HPE Adapter Card for OCP Project PCI-E is equipped with 2 ports, making it an ideal choice for users who require multiple connections. The presence of two ports on this adapter card offers several benefits and plays a crucial role in enhancing the overall functionality and performance of the device.

Optical Fiber Interface 

The optical fiber interface integrated into the adapter provides superior signal integrity compared to traditional copper-based Ethernet connections. Fiber optic technology enables high-speed data transmission over longer distances without signal degradation, making it ideal for large-scale data center environments and distributed computing architectures. 

Advanced Network Interface

The architectural design of the HPE 848908-001 adapter card is centered on efficiency, scalability, and energy-optimized performance. It is built to support enterprise workloads that demand consistent throughput under heavy network traffic conditions. The card integrates a PCI Express 3.0 x8 host interface, ensuring sufficient lane bandwidth to support dual 25GbE ports without bottlenecking data flow between the server CPU and network infrastructure.

PCI Express 3.0 x8 High-Speed Host Connectivity

The PCIE 3.0 x8 interface plays a critical role in ensuring the HPE 848908-001 adapter can fully support the bandwidth requirements of dual 25 Gigabit Ethernet ports. With each PCIe 3.0 lane capable of delivering approximately 1 GB/s bandwidth, the x8 configuration provides ample headroom for bidirectional traffic processing. This ensures that network-intensive workloads such as distributed computing, large-scale virtualization, and real-time analytics are handled efficiently.

Increased Flexibility

Having 2 ports on the HPE Adapter Card provides users with increased flexibility in terms of connectivity options. With two ports, users have the freedom to connect multiple devices simultaneously, allowing for seamless data transfer and communication between various systems. This flexibility is particularly advantageous in situations where multiple devices need to be connected to a single adapter card, such as in server environments or data centers.

High Bandwidth Capacity

The 2 ports on the HPE Adapter Card ensure a high bandwidth capacity, enabling users to handle large volumes of data without experiencing any bottlenecks or slowdowns. This is especially important for users who deal with data-intensive tasks or require fast and efficient data transfer speeds. With two ports, the adapter card can handle higher data loads, leading to improved overall system performance and reduced latency.

Scalability

The 2 ports on the HPE Adapter Card contribute to its scalability, allowing users to easily expand their network infrastructure as their needs grow. With multiple ports, users have the flexibility to connect additional devices or expand their network without requiring additional adapter cards or making significant changes to their existing setup. This scalability feature is particularly beneficial for businesses or organizations that anticipate future growth or need to accommodate changing demands.

Improved Network Reliability

Having 2 ports on the HPE Adapter Card enhances network reliability by providing a backup option in case of port failure. If one port encounters an issue or becomes faulty, the second port ensures that connectivity remains intact, minimizing downtime and ensuring uninterrupted network access. This level of reliability is crucial in environments where network availability is critical, such as financial institutions or healthcare facilities.

Interface

The HPE Adapter Card for OCP Project PCI-E features a 25Gigabit EN Optical Fiber interface, offering users exceptional speed and performance capabilities. The choice of this interface brings numerous benefits and plays a vital role in meeting the requirements of modern high-speed networks.

High-Speed Data Transfer

The 25Gigabit EN Optical Fiber interface delivers high-speed data transfer capabilities, enabling users to transmit and receive data at incredible speeds. This interface is specifically designed to handle large volumes of data efficiently, making it ideal for applications that involve data-intensive tasks such as video streaming, high-resolution imaging, or big data analytics. With this interface, users can experience significantly reduced transfer times and improved overall productivity.

Long Distance Transmission

One of the key advantages of the 25Gigabit EN Optical Fiber interface is its ability to support long-distance transmission. Optical fiber technology allows data to be transmitted over longer distances without significant signal degradation. This capability is particularly important in scenarios where devices need to be connected across vast physical distances, such as large office complexes, data centers spread across multiple locations, or telecommunications networks covering extensive areas.

Interface Type

The HPE Adapter Card for OCP Project PCI-E features a PCI-E 3.0X8 interface type, offering users enhanced performance and compatibility. The choice of this interface type brings numerous benefits and plays a crucial role in ensuring optimal connectivity and efficient data transfer.

Enhanced Bandwidth

The PCI-E 3.0X8 interface type provides enhanced bandwidth capabilities, allowing for faster data transfer rates compared to previous generations. With eight lanes available, this interface type offers increased throughput, enabling users to handle large volumes of data with ease. This enhanced bandwidth is particularly beneficial for users who deal with data-intensive applications or require fast and efficient data transfer speeds.

Improved Scalability

The PCI-E 3.0X8 interface type offers improved scalability options for users. With eight lanes, the interface provides the flexibility to connect multiple devices or expand the network infrastructure without compromising performance. This scalability feature is important for businesses or organizations that anticipate future growth or need to accommodate changing demands, allowing them to easily scale their operations without the need for significant hardware upgrades.

Efficient Power Management

The PCI-E 3.0X8 interface type incorporates efficient power management features, allowing for better utilization of power resources. With improved power efficiency, users can benefit from reduced energy consumption, leading to cost savings and a more environmentally friendly solution. Additionally, efficient power management contributes to the overall stability and reliability of the system, ensuring consistent performance even under demanding workloads.