P36137-B21 HPE Ethernet 100GBPS 1-Port QSFP28 PCI-E 3 X16 MCX515A-CCAT Network Adapter.

High-Performance 100Gb Ethernet Network Adapter

The HPE P36137-B21 Ethernet Network Adapter is engineered to deliver ultra-fast data transfer speeds and dependable connectivity for modern data center environments. Built to support demanding enterprise workloads, this adapter leverages advanced PCI Express architecture and 100Gb Ethernet technology to ensure low latency, high throughput, and consistent network performance across mission-critical infrastructures.

Manufacturer and Product Identification

• Manufacturer: HPE
• Part Number: P36137-B21
• Product Category: Network Adapter

Key Speed and Performance Benefits

• Supports up to 100Gb/s data throughput
• Optimized for low-latency network operations
• Enhances performance in bandwidth-heavy environments
• Ideal for virtualization, AI workloads, and data analytics

Host Interface Advantages

• High-speed PCIe 3.0 x16 connectivity
• Improved data lane efficiency
• Stable integration with enterprise-grade servers
• Backward compatibility with supported PCIe slots

Technology Highlights

• Standards-based 100GBase-X Ethernet support
• Reliable high-speed fiber connectivity
• Optimized for data center and enterprise networks
• Supports modern switching and routing platforms

Interfaces and Ports Details

• Number of Ports: 1 Ethernet port
• Port Type: QSFP28
• Expansion Slot Type: QSFP28

Use Case Scenarios

• Cloud infrastructure and virtualization platforms
• High-performance computing clusters
• Large-scale storage and backup networks
• Data-intensive enterprise applications

Technical Specifications

• 100Gb Ethernet connectivity
• PCI Express 3.0 x16 host interface
• 100GBase-X networking standard
• Single-port QSFP28 expansion slot
• Enterprise-grade HPE reliability

High-Performance 100GbE Network Adapter Category

The category of 100 Gigabit Ethernet network adapters represents a critical layer in modern data center, cloud, and enterprise networking architectures. Solutions such as the HPE P36137-B21 Ethernet 100GBPS 1-Port QSFP28 PCI-E 3 x16 MCX515A-CCAT Network Adapter are designed to address escalating bandwidth requirements driven by virtualization, high-performance computing, software-defined networking, and data-intensive workloads. This category focuses on ultra-high throughput, low-latency connectivity that enables servers to communicate efficiently with switches, storage fabrics, and distributed computing clusters.

Network adapters in this segment are engineered to support advanced Ethernet standards while maintaining compatibility with existing infrastructure. The integration of PCI Express Gen3 x16 interfaces ensures sufficient host bandwidth to sustain 100GbE line rates without bottlenecks. These adapters are widely deployed in environments where predictable performance, scalability, and reliability are essential, including enterprise core networks, hyperscale data centers, and private cloud platforms.

QSFP28-Based 100GbE Connectivity Architecture

QSFP28 connectivity is a defining attribute of this category, enabling compact, high-density 100GbE interfaces that reduce cabling complexity and improve airflow within server chassis. The single-port QSFP28 design balances performance and efficiency, offering a streamlined approach to ultra-fast networking without consuming excessive PCIe slots or power budgets. This architecture supports multiple physical layer options, including direct attach copper, active optical cables, and optical transceivers, allowing flexible deployment across short-reach and long-reach networking scenarios.

Adapters built around HPE P36137-B21 QSFP28 interfaces are optimized for interoperability with modern Ethernet switches and spine-leaf architectures. They support industry-standard signaling and auto-negotiation capabilities, ensuring seamless integration into heterogeneous network environments. This adaptability makes the category suitable for organizations seeking future-ready network interfaces that can evolve alongside infrastructure upgrades.

PCI Express Gen3 x16 Host Interface Design

The use of a HPE P36137-B21 PCI Express Gen3 x16 interface is fundamental to sustaining 100GbE throughput. This host interface provides ample bandwidth between the network adapter and the server CPU, minimizing latency and maximizing data transfer efficiency. In high-performance server configurations, this design enables consistent line-rate performance even under heavy workloads such as east-west traffic, large-scale virtualization, and real-time data analytics.

PCIe Gen3 compatibility ensures broad server support across multiple generations of enterprise and data center platforms. This allows organizations to deploy 100GbE networking without requiring immediate upgrades to newer PCIe standards, preserving investment in existing server hardware while still achieving significant performance gains.

Controller and Silicon Capabilities

At the core of this category are advanced Ethernet controllers such as the Mellanox ConnectX series, which power solutions like the MCX515A-CCAT. These controllers are designed for high packet processing rates, intelligent offload capabilities, and robust error handling. They support features that reduce CPU utilization by offloading networking tasks, thereby improving overall system efficiency and application performance.

The controller architecture emphasizes deterministic latency and high throughput, making it suitable for latency-sensitive applications including financial trading platforms, distributed databases, and high-performance computing clusters. Hardware-based acceleration for networking functions ensures predictable behavior even under peak load conditions.

Enterprise and Data Center Deployment Scenarios

The HPE P36137-B21 100GbE network adapter category plays a pivotal role in enterprise data centers where bandwidth demands continue to rise. These adapters enable faster server-to-server communication, accelerate access to networked storage, and support the consolidation of workloads onto fewer physical servers. By providing a single high-speed Ethernet interface, they simplify network design while delivering exceptional performance.

In cloud and hosting environments, high-speed adapters facilitate multi-tenant architectures by supporting large volumes of concurrent traffic with minimal contention. They are commonly deployed in compute nodes, storage servers, and edge gateways, forming the backbone of scalable cloud infrastructures.

High-Performance Computing and AI Workloads

High-performance computing environments rely heavily on low-latency, high-bandwidth interconnects. While specialized fabrics are often used, Ethernet-based 100GbE adapters provide a versatile alternative that integrates seamlessly with existing IP networks. This makes them attractive for research institutions and enterprises running simulation, modeling, and artificial intelligence workloads.

For AI and machine learning applications, the ability to move large datasets quickly between compute nodes is essential. Network adapters in this category support the rapid data exchange required for distributed training and inference, contributing to reduced job completion times and improved resource utilization.

Virtualization and Software-Defined Networking

Virtualized environments place unique demands on network infrastructure, requiring high throughput, isolation, and flexibility. 100GbE adapters support advanced virtualization features that enable efficient traffic segmentation and management across multiple virtual machines and containers. This category is well-suited for software-defined networking architectures where network functions are abstracted and controlled through software.

By supporting features such as single root I/O virtualization, these adapters allow multiple virtual network interfaces to share a single physical port while maintaining performance and security. This capability is critical for maximizing server density and optimizing network resource allocation in virtualized data centers.

Advanced Networking Features and Offload Technologies

Network adapters in this category are equipped with a wide range of advanced features designed to enhance performance and reduce overhead. Hardware-based offloads for tasks such as checksum calculation, segmentation, and encryption help free CPU resources for application processing. These features are particularly valuable in environments with high packet rates and demanding workloads.

Support for remote direct memory access over converged Ethernet enables low-latency, high-throughput data transfers that bypass traditional networking stacks. This technology is widely used in high-performance computing and storage applications, where minimizing latency is critical to achieving optimal performance.

Latency Optimization and Traffic Management

Low latency is a key requirement for many modern applications, and this category addresses it through intelligent traffic management and buffering strategies. Network adapters are designed to handle congestion gracefully, ensuring consistent performance even during traffic bursts. Advanced queuing mechanisms prioritize critical traffic, reducing jitter and maintaining quality of service.

These capabilities are essential for real-time applications and services that require predictable network behavior. By minimizing packet loss and retransmissions, the adapters contribute to smoother application performance and improved user experiences.

Reliability Enhancements

Enterprise-grade network adapters incorporate security features that protect data integrity and confidentiality. Hardware-based encryption and secure boot mechanisms help safeguard network communications against unauthorized access and tampering. Reliability features such as error detection and correction ensure stable operation in mission-critical environments.

These design considerations make the category suitable for industries with strict compliance and security requirements, including finance, healthcare, and government sectors.

Compatibility with HPE ProLiant and Industry Platforms

The HPE P36137-B21 and similar adapters are engineered for seamless integration with HPE ProLiant servers and a wide range of industry-standard platforms. Compatibility with multiple operating systems and virtualization platforms ensures flexibility in deployment and simplifies system integration. This broad support reduces deployment complexity and accelerates time to value.

Firmware and driver ecosystems are designed to align with enterprise management frameworks, enabling centralized monitoring, configuration, and updates. This integration enhances operational efficiency and reduces the administrative burden associated with managing high-speed network infrastructure.

Thermal and Power Efficiency Considerations

As network speeds increase, managing power consumption and heat dissipation becomes increasingly important. Network adapters in this category are optimized for energy efficiency, balancing high performance with manageable power draw. Advanced thermal designs ensure reliable operation within dense server environments without compromising airflow or cooling efficiency.

These characteristics make the adapters suitable for large-scale deployments where power and cooling costs are significant considerations. Efficient designs contribute to lower total cost of ownership over the lifecycle of the infrastructure.

Scalability and Future-Proof Networking

The 100GbE network adapter category is designed with scalability in mind, supporting the growth of network bandwidth requirements over time. As data center architectures evolve toward higher speeds and more distributed workloads, these adapters provide a solid foundation for future expansion. Their support for standardized interfaces and protocols ensures long-term compatibility with emerging technologies.

Organizations investing in this category benefit from a network infrastructure that can adapt to changing demands without frequent hardware replacements. This future-ready approach aligns with strategic IT planning and supports sustainable growth.

Integration with Modern Data Center Architectures

Modern data centers increasingly adopt spine-leaf topologies and disaggregated architectures that rely on high-speed Ethernet links. Network adapters in this category are optimized for such designs, enabling efficient east-west traffic flows and reducing network bottlenecks. Their performance characteristics support the rapid scaling of compute and storage resources across distributed environments.

By delivering consistent, high-bandwidth connectivity, these adapters help maintain application performance as data center workloads scale horizontally. This capability is essential for cloud-native applications and microservices architectures.

Emerging Workloads and Technologies

As technologies such as edge computing, big data analytics, and real-time processing continue to evolve, the need for high-speed networking becomes even more pronounced. Network adapters in this category are well-positioned to support these emerging workloads, providing the bandwidth and reliability required to process and transmit large volumes of data efficiently.

The adaptability of this category ensures that organizations can leverage new technologies without overhauling their networking infrastructure, preserving flexibility and investment protection.