Description
Product Overview of the Dell 406-BBTH
In today’s interconnected world, the seamless flow of data is of utmost importance for businesses and organizations. The Dell 406-BBTH Lpe35000-M2 Emulex Single-port PCIE 4.0 32GB/64GB Fibre Channel Host Bus Adapter (HBA) plays a crucial role in ensuring this data flow. In this detailed guide, we’ll explain the features, benefits, and technology behind this HBA, breaking down the complex jargon into simple terms for a better understanding.
Understanding the Basics
The world of data communication can be quite complex, but let’s start with the basics to lay the foundation for understanding the Dell 406-BBTH HBA.
A Host Bus Adapter, or HBA PCI-E Controllers, is a hardware component that enables the connection between a computer or server and a storage device. It acts as an interface that allows data to be transferred between the host system and external storage, typically over a network or a storage area network (SAN).
Fibre Channel
Fibre Channel is a high-speed data transfer technology designed for storage networking. It is widely used in enterprise environments where fast and reliable data access is crucial. Fibre Channel provides high bandwidth and low latency, making it an ideal choice for connecting servers to storage arrays.
Dell 406-BBTH Lpe35000-M2 HBA in Detail
Now that we’ve covered the basics, let’s delve into the specifics of the Dell 406-BBTH HBA.
HBA Model and Manufacturer
- Model: Dell 406-BBTH Lpe35000-M2
- Manufacturer: Emulex
Interface Type
The Dell 406-BBTH HBA utilizes the PCIe 4.0 interface. Let’s break down what this means:
PCIe (Peripheral Component Interconnect Express)
PCIe is a high-speed interface used for connecting various hardware components to a motherboard. It’s often used for connecting graphics cards, network cards, and, in our case, HBAs. PCIe 4.0 is the fourth generation of this interface, offering faster data transfer speeds compared to its predecessors.
Port Configuration
This HBA is a single-port device, meaning it has one connection point for connecting to a storage network. The term “single-port” signifies that it can connect to one storage device at a time.
Data Transfer Speed
The Dell 406-BBTH HBA supports data transfer speeds of 32GB/s or 64GB/s. This represents the rate at which data can be transmitted between the host system and the storage device. A higher data transfer speed means quicker access to data, which is vital for data-intensive applications and operations.
Benefits of the Dell 406-BBTH HBA
Now that we know the technical details, let’s explore the advantages of using the Dell 406-BBTH HBA.
High-Speed Data Transfer
One of the primary benefits of this HBA is its ability to transfer data at high speeds. Whether you’re managing a database, running virtual machines, or handling large files, the 32GB/s or 64GB/s data transfer speed ensures that your data is accessed quickly and efficiently.
Reliability
Reliability is a key concern when it comes to data storage and access. The Dell 406-BBTH HBA is built with quality in mind, ensuring a stable and consistent connection between your server and storage devices. This reliability is crucial in enterprise settings where data loss or downtime can have significant consequences.
Scalability
The single-port design of this HBA is ideal for organizations that need to scale their storage infrastructure. You can add more HBAs to your servers as your storage needs grow, allowing for a seamless expansion of your storage network.
Compatibility
Dell, as a reputable manufacturer, ensures that their HBAs are compatible with a wide range of storage devices and server configurations. This compatibility simplifies integration and minimizes potential issues when setting up your storage network.
Reduced Latency
Low latency is crucial for applications that require real-time data access, such as online gaming or financial trading platforms. The Dell 406-BBTH HBA, with its Fibre Channel technology, offers minimal delay in data transmission, resulting in faster response times for such applications.
Technology Behind the Dell 406-BBTH HBA
To better understand how the Dell 406-BBTH HBA achieves these benefits, let’s explore the underlying technology.
Emulex
Emulex, a well-known player in the field of connectivity solutions, is the manufacturer of this HBA. They have a long-standing reputation for producing high-quality, reliable hardware for enterprise environments. Emulex’s expertise in Fibre Channel technology contributes to the performance and reliability of the Dell 406-BBTH HBA.
PCIe 4.0
The choice of PCIe 4.0 as the interface for this HBA is significant. PCIe 4.0 offers double the data transfer rate of its predecessor, PCIe 3.0. This means that more data can be moved between the server and storage device in the same amount of time, resulting in increased efficiency and reduced wait times.
Fibre Channel
Fibre Channel technology is at the core of the Dell 406-BBTH HBA’s performance. Here’s how it works:
Fibre Channel Protocols
Fibre Channel uses a set of protocols for reliable data transfer. These include the Fibre Channel Protocol (FCP) for standard storage communication and the Fibre Channel over Ethernet (FCoE) protocol for integrating Fibre Channel with Ethernet networks.
High Bandwidth
Fibre Channel provides high bandwidth, meaning it can handle a large amount of data simultaneously. This is essential for scenarios where multiple users or applications need to access storage resources concurrently.
Low Latency
The low latency of Fibre Channel is a result of its dedicated architecture, designed specifically for storage networking. Unlike Ethernet, which is a shared medium for various types of data, Fibre Channel is focused on delivering storage data quickly and reliably.
Data Integrity
Data integrity is a top priority in storage networking. Fibre Channel includes features like error detection and correction mechanisms to ensure that data remains accurate and intact during transmission.
Common Use Cases
The Dell 406-BBTH Lpe35000-M2 Emulex Single-port PCIE 4.0 32GB/64GB Fibre Channel Host Bus Adapter has a wide range of applications in enterprise and data center environments. Let’s explore some common use cases:
Data Centers
In data center environments, the Dell 406-BBTH HBA is used to connect servers to storage arrays. It allows for rapid data access and reliable communication between the servers and the storage infrastructure. This is essential for running mission-critical applications and services.
Virtualization
Virtualization technology has become a standard in data centers. It allows multiple virtual machines (VMs) to run on a single physical server. The Dell 406-BBTH HBA is valuable in this context because it provides high-speed access to the storage resources that VMs require. This ensures that virtualized applications run smoothly without delays.
Big Data and Analytics
Organizations dealing with big data and analytics rely on high-speed data access to process and analyze vast amounts of information. The Dell 406-BBTH HBA’s fast data transfer speeds make it suitable for these applications, where data latency can lead to delays in decision-making and insights.
High-Performance Computing (HPC)
HPC clusters are used for complex scientific simulations, weather forecasting, and other computationally intensive tasks. The Dell 406-BBTH HBA helps ensure that data access and communication between nodes in an HPC cluster happen at the highest speeds, optimizing the overall performance of the system.
Online Transaction Processing (OLTP)
In the world of finance and e-commerce, every millisecond counts. Online transaction processing (OLTP) systems require immediate access to databases to handle real-time transactions. The Dell 406-BBTH HBA’s low latency and high bandwidth are critical for these applications.
Media and Entertainment
Media production and post-production workflows often involve handling large video and audio files. The Dell 406-BBTH HBA facilitates the quick transfer of media assets, reducing rendering and editing times, and ensuring that media professionals can work efficiently.
General Information about this Dell 406-BBTH
- Brand: Dell
- Part Number or SKU# 406-BBTH
- Type: Fiber Channel
Technical Information
- Short, Low Profile PCIe Card
- Dimensions: 167.64mm x 68.91mm (6.60″ x 2.71″)
- Gen 7 (64/32GFC)
Cable Support
- 0.5m to 100m at 64GFC/32GFC on 50/125 µm OM4 MMF
- 0.5m to 100m at 64GFC/32GFC on 50/125 µm OM5 MMF
- 0.5m to 70m at 64GFC/32GFC on 50/125 µm OM3 MMF
- 10 km at 32GFC/16GFC on 9/125 µm single-mode fiber when Emulex approved longwave transceivers are used
Optical Data Rates
- 28.05 Gb/s (3200 MB/s)
- 14.025 Gb/s (1600 MB/s)
- 8.5 Gb/s (800 MB/s) (auto-detected)
Hardware Environment
- Intel x64, Intel x86, and PowerPC
- Short Wave Lasers with LC-type connector optics
- PCIe Gen4 x8
- XE601
Operating Conditions
- Operating Humidity: 5% to 95% non-condensing
- Operating Temperature: 0°C to 55°C
- Storage Temperature: -20°C to 85°C (-4°F to 185°F)
In summary, the Dell 406-BBTH Lpe35000-M2 Emulex Single-port PCIE 4.0 32GB/64GB Fibre Channel Host Bus Adapter is a critical component in the world of data communication, particularly in enterprise and data center environments. Its high-speed data transfer capabilities, reliability, and compatibility with a wide range of applications make it a valuable asset for organizations looking to optimize their data storage and access.
Understanding the technical aspects of the Dell 406-BBTH HBA, its underlying technology, common use cases, installation and configuration, maintenance, and cost considerations provides a comprehensive view of its value and functionality. By implementing this HBA, organizations can ensure that their data flows smoothly, enabling efficient and responsive operations in an increasingly data-driven world.
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