00Y3308 Lenovo CN4054R 10GB Virtual Fabric Adapter

Overview of the Lenovo 00Y3308 Virtual Fabric Adapter

The Lenovo 00Y3308 Flex System CN4054R 10GB Virtual Fabric Adapter stands as a high-density, multi-protocol converged network adapter designed exclusively for the Lenovo Flex System modular infrastructure. Built on Emulex’s proven Virtual Fabric technology, this adapter empowers enterprise data centers to consolidate LAN and SAN traffic onto a unified 10 Gigabit Ethernet fabric while maintaining strict isolation, quality of service, and deterministic performance. 

General Attributes

• Manufacturer: Lenovo
• Part Number: 00Y3308
• Product Type: Fabric Network Adapter

Technical Highlights

• Adapter Type: 10 Gigabit Ethernet Card
• Interface Standard: PCI Express 3.0 x8
• Transmission Speed: 10 Gbit/s
• Protocol Compliance: 10GBase-X
• Supported Frequencies: 2.4 GHz and 5 GHz

Connectivity Options

• LAN Ports: Dual RJ-45 / SFP / SFP+ slots
• Expansion Slot Type: SFP+
• Media Compatibility: Optical Fiber

Physical Design

• Form Factor: Plug-in Card

Key Advantages

• High-speed data throughput for enterprise workloads
• Flexible port configuration supporting multiple standards
• Reliable optical fiber connectivity for stable performance
• Compact plug-in design for seamless integration

Understanding of Lenovo 00Y3308 10GB Network Adapter

The Lenovo 00Y3308 Flex System CN4054R 10Gbps Gigabit Ethernet PCI Express 3.0 x8 Virtual Fabric Network Adapter represents a high-performance networking solution engineered for enterprise-level data center environments. Designed specifically for Lenovo Flex System infrastructures, this adapter delivers exceptional bandwidth, low latency, and superior virtualization capabilities required to support modern workloads. The integration of PCI Express 3.0 x8 architecture ensures high throughput and optimized data transfer efficiency, making it suitable for demanding applications such as cloud computing, virtualization, and high-density server deployments.

Architectural Design and Form Factor

This network adapter is purpose-built for seamless compatibility with Lenovo Flex System compute nodes. Its compact and efficient design enables it to fit within blade server environments while maintaining optimal airflow and thermal performance. The adapter leverages a mezzanine form factor, allowing it to integrate directly with system boards without occupying standard PCIe slots, thus maximizing server scalability and resource utilization.

PCI Express 3.0 x8 Interface Performance

The PCI Express 3.0 x8 interface provides a substantial increase in bandwidth compared to previous generations. With data transfer rates reaching up to 8 GT/s per lane, the adapter ensures rapid communication between the network interface and the host system. This architecture significantly reduces bottlenecks and supports high-speed data processing required for enterprise workloads.

Data Throughput Optimization

Through efficient lane utilization and optimized data pathways, the PCIe 3.0 x8 interface enables consistent high throughput performance. This ensures that the adapter can handle multiple simultaneous data streams without degradation, supporting environments that require constant high-volume data transmission.

High-Speed 10Gbps Ethernet Connectivity

The Lenovo CN4054R adapter delivers 10Gbps Ethernet connectivity, offering a tenfold increase over traditional Gigabit Ethernet solutions. This enhanced speed allows for faster data transfers, reduced latency, and improved application responsiveness. It is ideal for bandwidth-intensive tasks such as large-scale data migrations, real-time analytics, and high-performance computing workloads.

Low Latency Network Communication

Low latency is critical in modern data centers, especially for applications requiring real-time processing. The CN4054R adapter incorporates advanced buffering and packet handling technologies that minimize delays in data transmission, ensuring smooth and efficient communication between network nodes.

Support for Full-Duplex Transmission

The adapter supports full-duplex communication, allowing simultaneous data transmission and reception. This capability maximizes network efficiency and ensures optimal utilization of available bandwidth, which is essential in high-demand enterprise environments.

Enhanced Processing Capabilities

Advanced packet processing features enable the adapter to handle complex networking tasks with minimal CPU intervention. This reduces system overhead and improves overall server performance, particularly in virtualized and cloud-based infrastructures.

Virtual Fabric Technology Integration

Virtual Fabric technology is a key feature of the Lenovo CN4054R adapter, enabling the creation of multiple virtual network interfaces from a single physical port. This allows administrators to allocate bandwidth dynamically and segregate network traffic efficiently.

Network Virtualization Support

The adapter supports network virtualization, enabling multiple virtual machines to share the same physical network resources while maintaining isolation and security. This is essential for modern data centers that rely heavily on virtualization technologies to maximize resource utilization.

Flexible Bandwidth Allocation

Virtual Fabric technology allows administrators to assign specific bandwidth limits to each virtual interface. This ensures that critical applications receive the necessary network resources while preventing less important workloads from consuming excessive bandwidth.

Improved Resource Utilization

By enabling multiple virtual connections on a single adapter, Virtual Fabric technology reduces the need for additional hardware, lowering overall infrastructure costs and simplifying network management.

Compatibility with Lenovo Flex System Infrastructure

The CN4054R adapter is specifically designed for Lenovo Flex System environments, ensuring seamless integration with existing infrastructure components. This compatibility enhances system performance and simplifies deployment processes.

Integration with Compute Nodes

The adapter integrates directly with Lenovo Flex System compute nodes, providing high-speed connectivity without the need for additional adapters or expansion cards. This streamlined integration reduces complexity and improves overall system efficiency.

Support for Flex System Networking Modules

The CN4054R adapter is fully compatible with Lenovo Flex System networking modules, enabling efficient communication between compute nodes and network switches. This ensures consistent performance across the entire data center infrastructure.

Scalable Deployment Options

The adapter supports scalable deployment, allowing organizations to expand their network infrastructure as needed. Its compatibility with Flex System components ensures that additional resources can be integrated seamlessly without disrupting existing operations.

Enhanced Security Features

Security is a critical consideration in enterprise networking environments, and the CN4054R adapter includes several features designed to protect data and ensure secure communication.

Secure Data Transmission

The adapter supports secure data transmission protocols, ensuring that sensitive information is protected during network communication. This is essential for organizations that handle confidential data.

Network Isolation Capabilities

Virtual Fabric technology enables network isolation, allowing administrators to segregate traffic between different applications and users. This enhances security and prevents unauthorized access to sensitive data.

Advanced Filtering Mechanisms

The adapter includes advanced filtering mechanisms that help detect and block malicious traffic. These features contribute to a more secure and reliable network environment.

Energy Efficiency

The Lenovo CN4054R adapter is designed with energy efficiency in mind, reducing power consumption while maintaining high performance. Efficient thermal management ensures reliable operation even in high-density server environments.

Optimized Power Consumption

The adapter incorporates power-saving technologies that minimize energy usage without compromising performance. This contributes to lower operational costs and supports environmentally sustainable practices.

Heat Dissipation Design

Advanced heat dissipation mechanisms ensure that the adapter remains within optimal temperature ranges. This enhances reliability and extends the lifespan of the component.

Consistent Performance Under Load

Even under heavy workloads, the adapter maintains consistent performance thanks to its efficient thermal design. This ensures uninterrupted operation in demanding environments.

Reliability and Enterprise-Grade Performance

Reliability is a cornerstone of the Lenovo CN4054R adapter, making it suitable for mission-critical applications that require continuous operation and minimal downtime.

High Availability Features

The adapter supports high availability configurations, ensuring that network connectivity is maintained even in the event of hardware failures. This is essential for maintaining business continuity.

Robust Build Quality

Constructed using high-quality components, the adapter is designed to withstand the demands of enterprise environments. This ensures long-term reliability and consistent performance.