HPE QK724A – B-series 16Gb SFP+ Short Wave Transceiver Module

HPE QK724A – B-series 16Gb SFP+ Short Wave Transceiver Module

Overview

The HPE QK724A is a hot-pluggable Small Form Factor Pluggable Plus short-wave optical transceiver designed for high-speed storage area network infrastructures. This hardware component functions as a modular interface that slides directly into available SFP+ ports on B-series director modules and storage switches to enable high-bandwidth data transfers. It addresses the issue of network throughput constraints within multi-tier arrays by executing 16Gb Fibre Channel communication paths across legacy and modern fiber optic cabling. The module deploys seamlessly into standard core-to-edge storage distribution cabinets, localized backup zones, or enterprise cloud data center segments.

The underlying electronic design utilizes an 850nm Vertical-Cavity Surface-Emitting Laser transmitter coupled with a PIN photodetector to maintain structural optical alignment. Operating at a line rate throughput of 14.025 Gbps, the internal logic chips ensure fast serialization and deserialization processing of block storage packets over multi-mode optical cables. The assembly provides integrated Digital Optical Monitoring features, enabling storage administrators to query real-time data lines regarding operating temperature, laser current, and optical power. This physical layout preserves transmission signaling integrity while supporting lower-speed fallback auto-negotiation protocols to accommodate mixed-generation fabric layouts.

This plug-in hardware component features a standard duplex LC interface layout, creating a reliable snap-in connection point for fiber optic patch cables. The physical housing relies on a reinforced metal casing configuration that prevents radio frequency interference while acting as an effective heat dissipation block during continuous run cycles. It draws less than 1 Watt of electrical power during operation, limiting the secondary thermal impact on highly populated switch blades or directors. The toolless bale clasp mechanism enables on-the-fly component replacements without requiring system power downs or service halts to nearby data paths.

Integration is handled at the hardware layer via standard plug-and-play validation parameters, allowing immediate node acknowledgment upon insertion. The physical dimensions conform strictly to Small Form Factor Committee multi-source standards, ensuring precise slider clearance tolerances and continuous connection contact. This specification compliance prevents unexpected signal scattering or mechanical stress points inside the host switch chassis ports. This layout guarantees simple, repeatable infrastructure maintenance workflows for network teams expanding block-storage data lanes.

Typical Deployment Scenarios

• Core-to-switch interconnect pathways within a Fibre Channel storage area network environment utilizing multi-mode fiber cabling.

• High-speed storage array link connections attaching enterprise host server host bus adapter ports directly to B-series director blades.

• Dispersed enterprise backup environments where localized tape libraries or disaster recovery arrays require high-throughput multi-rate data feeds.

Specifications

Compatibility / Ecosystem

• Storage Director Switches: HPE SN8000B 8-Slot Director, SN8000B 4-Slot Director, and select B-series SAN switches.

• Chassis Expansion Blades: HP SN8000B 16Gb 32-port Fibre Channel Blade, 16Gb 48-port Fibre Channel Blade.

• Industry Standards Compliance: SFP+ Multi-Source Agreement standard, SFF-8472 protocol specification, FC-PI-5 optical performance standards, RoHS directives.