Broadcom LPE31002-M6 2 Ports 16GFC SFP+ PCI-E Gen3 X8 Fibre New

In the ever-evolving landscape of data storage and communication, the Broadcom LPE31002-M6 emerges as a key player, offering advanced features and capabilities. This article aims to provide a comprehensive understanding of the Broadcom LPE31002-M6 2 Ports 16GFC Short Wave Optical –LC SFP+ PCI-E Gen3 X8 Fibre Channel Host Bus Adapter (HBA). From its basic components to its applications, we will explore the intricacies of this technology.

The Broadcom LPE31002-M6 is a Fibre Channel Host Bus Adapter designed to facilitate high-speed data transfer and connectivity between servers and storage systems. Let's break down the key components of its nomenclature to better understand its features:

• Broadcom: Broadcom Limited, a global technology company, is renowned for producing a wide range of semiconductor and infrastructure software solutions. The LPE31002-M6 is part of their portfolio dedicated to Fibre Channel connectivity.
• LPE31002-M6: This alphanumeric code serves as a product identifier. The "LPE" likely denotes "LightPulse Emulex," emphasizing the use of light pulses for data transmission. The "31002" may signify a specific model within the product line, and the "M6" could indicate the generation or version.
• 2 Ports 16GFC: The HBA features two ports, allowing for simultaneous connections to other devices. The "16GFC" indicates a data transfer rate of 16 gigabits per second (Gbps), highlighting its high-speed capabilities.
• Short Wave Optical –LC SFP+: The use of short wave optical communication and LC (Lucent Connector) SFP+ (Small Form-factor Pluggable) modules signifies the HBA's optical connectivity and compatibility with the SFP+ standard.
• PCI-E Gen3 X8: The HBA utilizes the PCI Express Gen3 interface with eight lanes, ensuring efficient communication and data transfer between the server and connected storage devices.

To appreciate the significance of the Broadcom LPE31002-M6, it's essential to grasp the fundamentals of Fibre Channel technology:

• Fibre Channel Basics: Fibre Channel is a high-speed network technology primarily used for data storage and communication between servers and storage devices. It operates over fiber optic or copper cables, providing a reliable and scalable solution for data centers.
• Host Bus Adapter (HBA): An HBA serves as the interface between the server and the Fibre Channel network. It enables the server to connect to storage devices using the Fibre Channel protocol, and the Broadcom LPE31002-M6 excels in this role.
• Data Transfer Rates: Fibre Channel supports various data transfer rates, with the LPE31002-M6 specifically supporting 16 Gbps. This high bandwidth is crucial for handling large volumes of data quickly and efficiently.

The Broadcom LPE31002-M6 comes equipped with several features that contribute to its performance and reliability:

• Dual Ports for Redundancy: The inclusion of two ports allows for redundancy in connectivity. In case one port fails or experiences issues, the other port can seamlessly take over, ensuring uninterrupted data flow.
• Optical Connectivity: The use of short-wave optical communication and LC SFP+ modules enhances data transmission speed and reliability. Optical connections are known for their immunity to electromagnetic interference and longer transmission distances compared to copper.
• PCI Express Gen3 Interface: The HBA leverages the PCI Express Gen3 interface with eight lanes, capitalizing on the latest advancements in PCI Express technology. This ensures optimal communication between the server and storage devices.
• 16 Gbps Data Transfer Rate: The 16 Gbps data transfer rate is a standout feature, enabling the swift exchange of data between the server and connected storage systems. This is particularly beneficial in environments where high-performance storage solutions are imperative.

The Broadcom LPE31002-M6 finds application in diverse scenarios where high-speed and reliable data connectivity are paramount:

• Data Centers: In large-scale data centers handling extensive data processing and storage, the LPE31002-M6 facilitates seamless communication between servers and storage arrays. Its dual-port design and high data transfer rate make it suitable for handling the demands of enterprise-level data processing.
• Virtualized Environments: Virtualized environments, where multiple virtual machines share physical server resources, benefit from the LPE31002-M6's capabilities. The HBA ensures efficient communication between virtualized servers and storage systems, supporting the dynamic nature of virtualization.
• High-Performance Computing (HPC): In HPC environments, where rapid data access and transfer are crucial for complex simulations and computations, the LPE31002-M6 plays a vital role. Its high data transfer rate and dual-port redundancy make it well-suited for demanding HPC applications.
• Media and Entertainment: The media and entertainment industry, dealing with large multimedia files and high-resolution content, benefits from the LPE31002-M6's ability to handle substantial data volumes with speed and reliability. This makes it suitable for video editing workstations and storage servers in media production environments.

The Broadcom LPE31002-M6 Fibre Channel Host Bus Adapter (HBA) provides superior performance for storage systems through a combination of its support for 16GFC (16 Gigabit Fibre Channel) technology, 2 ports connectivity, and short wave optical support.

The 16GFC technology supported by the HBA enables data transfer rates of up to 16 Gbps, allowing for faster data access and improved system performance. This makes it an ideal solution for data centers and other storage environments that require high-speed data transfer.

The 2 ports connectivity provides scalability and flexibility for storage systems. This allows the user to connect multiple storage devices at the same time, increasing storage capacity and improving data management and protection options. The ability to connect multiple storage devices at the same time, allows the user to customize the storage infrastructure to meet their specific needs.

The short-wave optical support enables data transfer over long distances. This is particularly useful for data centers with multiple racks or for storage systems that are physically separated from the server. This feature can help to ensure that the storage system can keep up with the demands of the organization even when the storage devices are located remotely.

The HBA's other advanced features such as optical LC SFP+ connectivity and PCIe Gen3 x8 interface also contribute to the overall performance of the HBA. The optical LC SFP+ connectivity provides increased distance and reliability in data transfer, and the PCIe Gen3 x8 interface provides improved performance over previous generations of PCIe interfaces. This allows for faster data transfer and improved system responsiveness, which can help to ensure that the storage system can keep up with the demands of the organization.

Exceptional Reliability

The Broadcom LPE31002-M6 Fibre Channel HBA provides exceptional reliability for storage systems through its advanced features and technologies.

The Broadcom LPE31002-M6 Fibre Channel HBA has advanced error handling and diagnostic capabilities, which help to quickly identify and resolve any issues that may occur. This ensures that the storage system can continue to operate at optimal performance, reducing the risk of data loss or system downtime.

The HBA's optical LC SFP+ (Small Form-factor Pluggable Plus) connectivity provides increased distance and reliability in data transfer. LC SFP+ connectors offer high-density, high-speed connectivity for short-wave optical transceivers, which can support data transfer over longer distances than copper cables, and also provide improved signal quality. This can help to ensure that data is transferred without errors, reducing the risk of data loss.

It also utilizes a PCIe Gen3 x8 interface, which provides improved performance over previous generations of PCIe interfaces. This allows for faster data transfer and improved system responsiveness, which can help to ensure that the storage system can keep up with the demands of the organization.

The HBA supports short-wave optical, which enhances data transfer and is ideal for data centers and storage environments that require high-speed data transfer over long distances.

• Manufacturer: Broadcom
• Part Number or SKU# LPE31002-M6
• Product Type: Fibre Channel
• Product Name: Controller

• Cable Support: 100m at 32GB on 50/125 mm OM4 MMF, 20m at 32GB on 50/125 mm OM2 MMF, 70m at 32GB on 50/125 mm OM3 MMF, operating at 32GB.
• Optical Data Rates: 14.025 Gb/s (1600 MB/s), 8.5 Gb/s (800 MB/s), 4.25 Gb/s (400 MB/s) (auto-detected).
• Hardware Environment: PowerPC, Sparc, Intel X86, X64.
• Ports: 2.
• Optics: Short Wave Lasers with LC type connector, fixed optics.
• Host Bus Type: PCIe Gen3 x8.
• I/O Controller: XE501.
• Operating Humidity: 5% to 95% non-condensing.
• OS Support: Additional support is available from OEMs and partners, Oracle Solaris, SUSE® Linux Enterprise Server, and VMware vSphere.
• Industry Standards: Current ANSI/IETF Standards - FC-PI-4, FC-DA, FC-DA-2, FC-FS, FC-GS-6, FC-LS-2, FC-PH-2, FC-PH-3, FC-PI, FC-PI-2, FC-PI-5, FCP-4, Fibre Channel Class 3. Legacy ANSI/IETF Standards - FC-PH, PCIe Base Spec 3.0, PCIe Card Electromechanical Spec 3.0, PHP Hot Plug-Hot Swap, SBC-3, SPC-4, SSC-4.

In short, the Broadcom LPE31002-M6 2 Ports 16GFC Short Wave Optical –LC SFP+ PCI-E Gen3 X8 Fibre Channel HBA stands as a robust and versatile solution for high-speed data connectivity in various computing environments. Its dual-port design, 16 Gbps data transfer rate, and compatibility with optical communication technologies make it a valuable component in data centers, virtualized environments, high-performance computing, and media and entertainment applications. As technology continues to advance, Fibre Channel HBAs like the LPE31002-M6 play a crucial role in meeting the growing demands of modern data storage and communication.