704652-B21 HPE 4-Ports Moonshot Uplink Module Kit

HPE 704652-B21 4-Ports SFP+ Uplink Module Kit 

The HPE 704652-B21 4-Ports Moonshot Quad Small Form-factor Pluggable Plus Uplink Module Kit sits within a specialized category of modular uplink and interconnect hardware designed for high-density, energy-efficient server architectures — specifically the Hewlett Packard Enterprise Moonshot family. This category covers add-on uplink modules, breakout modules, transceiver-compatible kits, and ancillary components that expand network connectivity from Moonshot chassis and blades. These components are essential for datacenter architects, network engineers, systems integrators, and enterprise IT teams seeking high-throughput, low-latency uplink aggregation that matches the Moonshot philosophy: compact, scalable, and power-sensitive compute.

Category Definition: What belongs here

Items in this category generally include:

• Uplink modules explicitly built for Moonshot cartridges and enclosure backplanes.
• Quad-port SFP+ or SFP28 modules, including pluggable transceiver cages and passive modules.
• Compatibility kits that include firmware, brackets, or adapters to enable 10GbE–25GbE links.
• Replacement parts and spare kits for field serviceable components in Moonshot systems.
• Documentation sets, cabling recommendations, and compatibility matrices that assist in integration.

Keyword focus and search relevance

This category should be optimized for organic search queries that potential buyers and technical researchers use. Primary keyword phrases include the full product designation — HPE 704652-B21 — and close variants such as “Moonshot 4-ports uplink module”, “HPE Quad SFP+ Moonshot uplink”, “Small Form-factor Pluggable Moonshot module”, and “Moonshot uplink kit 704652-B21”. Secondary keywords that amplify long-tail visibility include “Moonshot chassis uplink options”, “HPE blade uplink compatibility”, “SFP+ breakout Moonshot enclosure”, and “high density uplinks for Moonshot servers”.

Technical Characteristics and Performance Attributes

Port density and physical interface

The HPE 704652-B21 kit leverages a quad-port approach, consolidating four Small Form-factor Pluggable Plus (SFP+) interfaces in a single compact module. This density is particularly valuable when optimizing for enclosure backplane real estate; Moonshot solutions prioritize packs of many compute nodes in a very small footprint, and the 4-ports per uplink module design aligns with the architecture by enabling multiple 10Gb/s (or higher when supported by SFP+/SFP28 transceivers) network paths from a single module slot.

Throughput, latency and network scale

While nominal per-port speeds depend on the SFP+ transceiver used, the kit is architected to support multi-gigabit uplinks — commonly 10GbE — allowing aggregated throughput that can meet the demands of distributed workloads, virtualized environments, and converged infrastructure deployments. Aggregated link utilization, link aggregation control protocol (LACP) compatibility, and distribution of east-west traffic within the Moonshot chassis are all improved by using optimized quad uplink modules.

Thermal and power considerations

A category-defining trait for Moonshot-grade components is energy efficiency. The HPE 704652-B21 adheres to the Moonshot design intent by minimizing additional power draw while preserving signal integrity across four pluggable ports. Thermal profiles and heat dissipation behavior are critical when multiple modules are installed; therefore, this category emphasizes low-power transceivers, optimized airflow through the chassis, and thermally aware installation guidance.

Form factor compatibility and mechanical fit

The kit is mechanically keyed to the Moonshot chassis and meets the specific connector and bracket profiles required by HPE. Buyers should confirm chassis firmware compatibility and physical slot mapping prior to procurement. Many catalog items in this category will list supported Moonshot chassis models, firmware minimums, and, when applicable, part numbers for replacement ejector levers or mounting screws.

Systems and transceivers work together

Supported Moonshot platforms

The category documentation typically provides a detailed compatibility matrix indicating which Moonshot cartridge families (e.g., compute, storage, networking blades) and chassis generations are supported. The HPE 704652-B21 is matched to specific Moonshot enclosure revisions; OEM vendors often publish compatibility PDFs that should be consulted for accurate interoperability checks.

Transceiver and cable interoperability

A central consideration in this category is the choice between active optical transceivers, direct attach copper (DAC) cables, and active optical cables (AOC). The module supports standard SFP+ form-factor transceivers, which means:

• 10GBASE-SR (multimode fiber) and 10GBASE-LR (single-mode fiber) optical modules
• 10GBASE-CR direct attach copper (passive DAC) for short-reach, cost-sensitive links
• SFP28 compatibility if the user upgrades to higher-speed links (verify firmware and module support)

When optimizing the network, systems integrators must account for maximum supported link distance, transceiver vendor compatibility (HPE recommended vs third-party), and cable management within dense Moonshot racks.

Firmware and driver alignment

Correct operation of the uplink module depends on firmware versions both in the Moonshot chassis and the module's management interface. This category includes firmware compatibility notes, upgrade paths, and the risks associated with mismatched firmware. Always cross-reference chassis release notes with the 704652-B21 firmware advisories to prevent connectivity regressions.

Use Cases, Deployment Patterns and Architecture Best Practices

High-density virtualization and multi-tenant hosting

Moonshot systems paired with quad SFP+ uplinks are excellent for dense virtualization scenarios. The compact server nodes can host multiple virtual machines, container clusters, or microservices. The HPE 704652-B21 allows reliable uplink aggregation to top-of-rack (ToR) switches or spine-leaf fabrics, ensuring sufficient throughput for east-west traffic and tenant isolation via VLANs or VXLANs.

Edge computing and remote aggregation

Edge deployments benefit from Moonshot’s small footprint. This uplink kit enables connecting multiple remote units to a central aggregation point with high-capacity trunks — ideal for content delivery, caching nodes, and localized analytics. The low-power design also supports constrained environments where energy consumption is a hard limit.

High-performance computing (HPC) and parallel workloads

While Moonshot is not a replacement for large-scale HPC clusters, certain workloads that require many small compute nodes — such as lightweight parallel tasks, network function virtualization (NFV), or distributed data processing — can leverage the quad uplink module to relieve bottlenecks in data aggregation and coordinate distributed task results into centralized storage or orchestration nodes.

Security, Compliance and Operational Controls

Network security posture

Uplink modules are part of the infrastructure perimeter. This category encourages integration with existing security controls such as ACLs on connected switches, port security settings, and microsegmentation at the hypervisor level. Secure firmware signing and validated firmware sources mitigate supply-chain risks when updating module or chassis firmware.

Regulatory and standards compliance

Products in this category comply with electromagnetic compatibility (EMC), RoHS, and other regional safety standards. For regulated industries, verify documentation for certifications that may be required for data sovereignty or industry-specific compliance (e.g., healthcare, finance).

How the 704652-B21 stacks against alternatives

Performance vs port count trade-offs

Quad-port SFP+ modules like the 704652-B21 offer a balance between port density and per-port bandwidth. Alternatives may include fewer ports with higher per-port speeds (SFP28/25GbE or QSFP-based uplinks) or many more low-speed ports. The selection depends on the expected network fabric topology:

• Choose quad SFP+ when multiple 10GbE links are required and physical space is limited.
• Choose SFP28 or QSFP options if migration to 25GbE/40GbE is a near-term requirement and the chassis supports those form factors.

Content Templates and Snippets for Product Listings

Short product snippet (for category listing)

HPE 704652-B21 — Quad-port SFP+ uplink module kit engineered for Moonshot enclosures. Delivers high-density 10GbE connectivity with optimized power consumption and modular installation for dense compute racks.

Long-form snippet (for product detail)

The HPE 704652-B21 4-Ports Moonshot Quad Small Form-factor Pluggable Plus Uplink Module Kit is designed to expand the networking capabilities of HPE Moonshot enclosures. Engineered for compact server blades and high-density deployments, the kit provides four SFP+ interfaces in a single module, enabling flexible link aggregation, low-latency connectivity, and efficient thermal performance. Use it to trunk multiple compute nodes to your ToR switch, enable tenant segmentation, or provide redundant uplinks for critical services. Verify chassis compatibility and recommended transceivers prior to purchase for seamless integration.

Related Subcategories and Cross-sell Opportunities

Complementary items

• HPE-certified SFP+ transceivers (SR/LR)
• Direct Attach Copper (DAC) cables and breakout assemblies
• Moonshot chassis fan trays and thermal kits
• Retention brackets and spare module kits
• Firmware bundles and support subscriptions

Cross-sell strategies for e-commerce

Present complementary optics and cabling at point-of-sale to reduce integration friction. Offer bundle discounts for transceivers purchased with the uplink kit and provide explicit compatibility checks in the shopping cart to prevent unsupported combinations. Consider a “Buy with your chassis” recommendation module that auto-suggests the correct uplink kit based on the selected Moonshot model.