850390-001 HPE 5 Meter SFP28 Direct Attach Cable

HPE 850390-001 5 Meter SFP28 to SFP28 Direct Attach Cable

The HPE 850390-001 is a high-performance direct attach cable designed to deliver reliable and efficient data transmission across enterprise networking environments. Built by Hewlett Packard Enterprise, this cable ensures secure and high-speed connectivity between SFP28 interfaces while maintaining consistent signal integrity.

Main Specifications

• Manufacturer: Hewlett Packard Enterprise (HPE)
• Part Number: 850390-001
• Category: Network Cable
• Type: SFP28 to SFP28 Direct Attach Cable
• Cable Length: 5 Meters

Advantages of HPE 850390-001 Cable

This networking accessory is engineered for seamless integration into data centers and enterprise systems. Some of the major benefits include:

• High bandwidth capability suitable for demanding workloads.
• Cost-efficient alternative compared to optical transceivers.
• Reduced latency for faster and more stable communication.
• Optimized for compatibility with HPE networking equipment.
• Durable build quality ensures long-lasting performance.

Connectivity Features

The SFP28 to SFP28 configuration is designed to support 25GbE networking infrastructure, providing secure and reliable transmission. This ensures that organizations running virtualization, storage, or cloud environments can maintain superior data transfer rates without compromise.

Technical Highlights

• Supports high-speed interconnects for enterprise workloads.
• Engineered with superior shielding to minimize interference.
• Plug-and-play setup for simplified deployment.
• Optimized power consumption for efficiency.

Applications of HPE 850390-001 in Enterprise Environments

The HPE 850390-001 5m direct attach cable is highly adaptable across multiple IT infrastructures, ensuring dependable interconnections within:

• Data center networking
• Server-to-switch connectivity
• Cloud computing environments
• Virtualization systems
• Storage area networks (SAN)

HPE 850390-001 5 Meter SFP28 Direct Attach Cable

The HPE 850390-001 5 Meter SFP28 to SFP28 Direct Attach Cable is a purpose-built, high-performance interconnect designed for modern 25 Gigabit Ethernet (25GbE) environments. Engineered to provide a reliable, low-latency link between SFP28 ports, this 5 meter SFP28 DAC (Direct Attach Cable) is an ideal choice for short-reach connections inside racks, between adjacent racks, and in top-of-rack to server-to-switch topologies where predictable performance, cost-efficiency, and HPE compatibility matter. The HPE part number 850390-001 identifies this cable precisely in HPE catalogs and reseller inventories, simplifying procurement and warranty processes. For data center engineers, network architects, and IT procurement teams seeking an HPE-validated SFP28 solution with a dependable length of five meters, this product balances reach and signal integrity while eliminating the need for separate optical transceivers and fiber patch cabling in suitable rack-level scenarios.

Technical specifications and performance expectations

The HPE 850390-001 SFP28 to SFP28 Direct Attach Cable supports the SFP28 standard and is optimized for 25Gbps signaling per lane. Designed to tightly control insertion loss and return loss across the link, this 5 meter cable provides full-duplex 25Gb/s connectivity with consistent electrical characteristics across temperature and load conditions. It is typically implemented as a twinax copper cable assembly with integrated SFP28 connectors on each end. The cable assembly adheres to industry electrical requirements for SFP28 and is validated against HPE transceiver interoperability, ensuring that link negotiation, auto-speed features, and error reporting behave as expected in HPE switch and server ecosystems. The passive or active DAC design depends on the specific SKU, but both passive twinax and active cable variants deliver lower power consumption compared to equivalent active optical solutions, while maintaining excellent signal quality for short distances.

Compatibility matrix and tested platforms

When specifying the HPE 850390-001 5 Meter SFP28 to SFP28 Direct Attach Cable, compatibility with HPE networking and compute products is a primary consideration. This cable has been tested with a broad range of HPE switches, including HPE Aruba CX and HPE FlexFabric series models equipped with SFP28 ports, as well as with HPE ProLiant servers and select HPE storage appliances that support SFP28 modules. Buyers should confirm the supported transceiver and DAC lists for their specific HPE chassis and firmware level, but HPE part number 850390-001 is widely accepted across recent generations of HPE hardware. Using validated cables reduces the risk of unexpected link dropouts, speed negotiation mismatches, and warranty complications, and enables predictable behavior with HPE Jumbo frames, QoS configurations, and flow control settings.

Use cases: where a 5 meter SFP28 DAC makes the most impact

The 5 meter length is a strategic choice for data center layouts where devices are separated by a few rack units or where short cross-rack connections are necessary without resorting to fiber. Use cases include high-performance server clusters where low-latency short-haul links are required, top-of-rack switch to adjacent switch uplinks in tight aisle deployments, and storage networking scenarios where direct copper connectivity simplifies cabling. Because the HPE 850390-001 SFP28 to SFP28 cable removes the need for separate SFP28 modules and fiber patch panels, it lowers bill-of-material cost and accelerates deployment. It is especially valuable in dense compute environments running virtualization, high-frequency trading, or distributed storage systems where every microsecond of latency and each watt of power consumption matters.

Electrical vs optical alternatives: trade-offs and decision factors

Choosing between a direct attach copper SFP28 cable and an optical SFP28 transceiver plus fiber involves trade-offs. The primary advantages of copper DACs such as HPE 850390-001 are lower cost at short distances, simpler deployment without fiber cleaning or connectors, and generally lower power consumption. Conversely, optical solutions provide longer reach, electrical isolation, and more flexibility for expansion across greater distances. For 5 meter runs inside racks or between nearby racks, the HPE SFP28 direct attach cable typically outperforms optical alternatives in total cost of ownership and simplicity. Decision factors include reach requirements, electromagnetic interference considerations, future-proofing for longer spans, and whether the installation environment benefits from copper’s inherent shielding or fiber’s isolation and fire-code advantages.

Performance tuning and network optimization

To maximize the performance of the HPE 850390-001 SFP28 to SFP28 Direct Attach Cable, configure networking features that complement low-latency, high-throughput links. Enable appropriate MTU sizes when handling large frame traffic to reduce CPU overhead and increase throughput for storage and large-scale data transfers. Verify flow control and congestion-management settings on HPE switches to ensure that loss-sensitive applications maintain consistent performance. For latency-sensitive workloads, prioritize traffic with QoS policies that keep critical flows on the shortest, most direct SFP28 paths. Monitoring tools that surface port-level statistics and error counters will reveal whether link margins are adequate or if there are intermittent issues such as CRC errors or symbol errors that could indicate installation or hardware problems.

Testing and validation procedures

Before putting SFP28 DAC links into production, validate each link end-to-end. Use HPE management interfaces and console commands to confirm link speed, duplex, and error-free operation. Run packet-level diagnostics and throughput tests with representative traffic patterns to ensure the 25Gbps capacity is realized under load. Where possible, test with the specific server NICs and switch firmware versions present in the production environment, since interoperability nuances sometimes manifest only under load or within specific firmware revisions. Keep a record of serial numbers, firmware revisions, and configuration snapshots to streamline troubleshooting and warranty interactions if issues arise.