HPE 638526-B21 VC Flex-10/10D Blade Interconnect Module
Overview
The HPE 638526-B21 is a Virtual Connect Flex-10/10D module designed for HPE’s c-Class BladeSystem enclosures. This blade interconnect serves as the critical networking link between server blades and the external network, streamlining connectivity and management for demanding data center environments. It addresses the challenge of network sprawl at the server edge by consolidating traffic and reducing the need for numerous physical cables and upstream switch ports, simplifying a traditionally complex part of the infrastructure. A core technology of this module is HPE’s Flex-10, which allows for the granular partitioning of each 10Gb server-facing port into four independent, physical-function NICs (FlexNICs). Administrators can define the bandwidth for each FlexNIC from 100 Mb/s up to 10 Gb/s, tailoring network performance precisely to the needs of specific applications or virtual machines. This capability provides significant operational flexibility and helps eliminate network I/O bottlenecks, ensuring that workloads receive the appropriate amount of bandwidth without overprovisioning. Engineered for the HPE BladeSystem c3000 and c7000 enclosures, the module’s “wire-once” architecture fundamentally simplifies infrastructure management. Once installed and cabled, server additions, moves, and changes can be managed through the Virtual Connect Manager without physical intervention. This dramatically reduces administrative overhead, minimizes the potential for cabling errors, and accelerates the deployment of new server resources from days to minutes. The module’s design and management integration make it an ideal solution for virtualized and cloud environments.
Key Features
- Partition each 10Gb port into four distinct FlexNICs.
- Fine-tune bandwidth from 100 Mb/s to 10 Gb/s per NIC.
- Wire-once design simplifies server adds, moves, and changes.
- Consolidates server connections to reduce cable complexity.
- Integrates with HPE BladeSystem for unified management.
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