Description
Features and Specifications
The AW520A HPE Storageworks 2Port PCI Express 2.0 X8 Converged Network Adapter is a network adapter designed for use in HPE servers and storage systems. Here are some of its key features and specifications:
- Port configuration: The AW520A has two ports, both of which support 10GbE and FCoE (Fibre Channel over Ethernet) connectivity. These ports can be used for both data networking and storage networking purposes.
- Interface: The AW520A connects to the server or storage system via a PCI Express 2.0 x8 interface, which provides high bandwidth and low latency for fast data transfer.
- Protocol support: The AW520A supports a variety of network protocols, including TCP/IP, UDP, iSCSI, NFS, and CIFS/SMB. It also supports Fibre Channel over Ethernet (FCoE) for storage networking.
- Network offload: The AW520A includes hardware-based offload engines that can offload TCP/IP, iSCSI, and FCoE processing from the server or storage system CPU, reducing CPU utilization and improving system performance.
- Virtualization support: The AW520A supports virtualization technologies such as VMware and Microsoft Hyper-V, allowing it to be used in virtualized environments.
- Management: The AW520A can be managed using HPE’s SmartStart software, which provides a user-friendly interface for configuring and monitoring the adapter.
- Power consumption: The AW520A has a maximum power consumption of 12 watts, making it a low-power and energy-efficient option.
Compatibility and Requirements
The AW520A HPE Storageworks 2Port PCI Express 2.0 X8 Converged Network Adapter is a type of network adapter designed for use in HPE servers and storage systems. It is designed to provide high-speed connectivity to a converged network infrastructure, which can support multiple types of traffic such as data, storage, and voice/video.
Compatibility: To use the AW520A adapter, the server or storage system must have an available PCI Express 2.0 x8 slot. The adapter is compatible with a range of HPE servers and storage systems, including HPE ProLiant Gen8 and Gen9 servers, HPE BladeSystem c-Class enclosures, and HPE StoreVirtual Storage systems.
Requirements: In addition to a compatible server or storage system, there are some additional requirements for using the AW520A adapter. These include:
- Operating System Compatibility: The AW520A adapter is supported on a range of operating systems, including Windows Server, Red Hat Enterprise Linux, SUSE Linux Enterprise Server, and VMware ESXi. Check the HPE website to ensure that the specific version of your operating system is compatible with the adapter.
- Driver Installation: Before using the AW520A adapter, the appropriate drivers must be installed on the server or storage system. These drivers can be downloaded from the HPE website.
- Converged Network Infrastructure: The AW520A adapter is designed to work with a converged network infrastructure, which can support multiple types of traffic over a single network. This may require additional network hardware, such as switches that support the necessary protocols and features.
- Firmware: The AW520A adapter requires firmware to operate correctly. This firmware can be updated using the HPE Smart Update Manager tool or other methods recommended by HPE.
Installation and Setup
The HPE Storageworks AW520A is a converged network adapter designed to provide high-speed networking connectivity for servers and storage systems. It supports both Ethernet and Fibre Channel protocols and is equipped with two ports that connect to a PCI Express 2.0 x8 slot on the server motherboard.
Here are the steps to install and set up the AW520A adapter:
- Before installing the adapter, make sure that your server has an available PCI Express 2.0 x8 slot and that the system is turned off.
- Remove the cover from the server chassis and locate the PCI Express 2.0 x8 slot where the adapter will be installed.
- Remove the adapter from its packaging and align it with the slot. Carefully insert the adapter into the slot, ensuring that it is firmly seated.
- Replace the server cover and power on the system.
- After the system has booted up, insert the driver CD that came with the adapter into the server’s CD/DVD drive. If you do not have the driver CD, you can download the latest driver from the HPE website.
- Follow the on-screen instructions to install the adapter driver. Once the installation is complete, you will need to reboot the server.
- After the server has rebooted, verify that the adapter is recognized by the system. You can do this by accessing the server’s Device Manager and looking for the adapter under the “Network adapters” or “Fibre Channel adapters” category.
- Configure the adapter settings as needed. This can typically be done using the server’s network or storage management software.
That’s it! The AW520A adapter is now installed and ready to use.
Detail Description
- Manufacturer: HPE
- MPN: AW520A
- Type: Networking
- Sub-Type: Network Adapter 2 Ports
- SKU: AW520A
- Form Factor: Plug-in Card – Low Profile
- Number of Channels: Dual
- Port Speed: 10GB
- Interface (Bus) Type: PCI Express v2.0 (Gen 2) x8 lane operation
- Slot Type Supported: PCI Express 2.0 to Fibre Channel
- Data Path: Eight Lanes (x8)
- Interrupt Levels: Automatically Configured
- PCI Specification Revision: PCIe 2.0
- Bundled with: CNA: Low-Profile Bracket
Networking
- Connectivity Technology: Wired
- Features: Auto-Negotiation
- Media: 10GB SFP+ Ethernet Optical Modules (SR) or SFP+ direct attach passive copper cable (HPE C-series FCoE Switches) or SFP+ direct attach active copper cable (HPE B-series FCoE Switches)
Expansion / Connectivity
- Expansion Slots: 2 (total) / 2 (Free) x SFP+
- Compatible Slots: 1 x PCI Express 2.0 x8
Software / System Requirements
- Supported Operating System: Windows Server 2003, Windows Server 2008 R2, Windows Server 2008 R2 Hyper-V, VMware v4.0, RHEL 5, x86, x64, SLES 10, x86, x64, SLES 11, x86, x64
Dimensions
- Width: 10.30 inch
- Depth: 7.50 inch
- Height: 2.50 inch
Environmental Parameters
- Operating Temperature: 0° to 45°C (32° to 113°F)
- Non-Operating Temperature: -40° to 73°C (-40° to 158°F)
- Operating Humidity: 15% to 80% relative, non-condensing
Compatibility Information
- HPE ProLiant DL Series: DL120 (Gen5), DL160 (Gen5, Gen6), DL165 (Gen5, Gen6), DL180 (Gen5, Gen6), DL185 (Gen5), DL320 (G5p, Gen6), DL360 (Gen5, Gen6), DL365 (Gen5), DL380 (Gen5, Gen6), DL385 (G5p, Gen6), DL580 (Gen5), DL585 (Gen5, Gen6), DL785 (Gen5, Gen6)
- HPE ProLiant ML Series: ML350 (Gen6), ML370 (Gen6)
