Detailed Specifications
HPE P31246-H21 100GbE QSFP28 PCIe Network Adapter
Overview
The HPE P31246-H21 is a high-bandwidth, single-port 100Gb Ethernet network adapter designed for modern data centers requiring maximum throughput for demanding workloads. Engineered for HPE ProLiant Gen10 Plus and Gen11 servers, this adapter addresses network bottlenecks in environments such as hybrid cloud services, large-scale mobile data applications, and high-resolution video streaming. It provides a scalable and reliable solution to significantly boost network performance and efficiency. At its core, the adapter leverages advanced I/O offload technologies, including RDMA (Remote Direct Memory Access) over Converged Ethernet (RoCE). This functionality allows data to be transferred directly between the adapter and server memory, bypassing the CPU and operating system. The result is a substantial reduction in CPU utilization and lower latency, freeing up valuable processing cycles for critical applications and improving overall server efficiency for latency-sensitive tasks. Physically, the P31246-H21 is a low-profile PCIe 3.0 x16 card, supplied with a full-height bracket to ensure compatibility with various server chassis configurations. Its QSFP28 port allows for flexible connectivity using DACs (Direct Attach Copper) for short-reach, in-rack connections or optical transceivers for longer distances. Management is integrated within the HPE server ecosystem, and security is enhanced through digitally signed firmware authenticated via a root of trust architecture to prevent unauthorized firmware installation.
