840139-001 – HPE Ethernet 10/25Gb 2-port 640FLR-SFP28 FlexibleLOM Form Factor High-Speed Low Latency RDMA (RoCE) Optimized for Cloud & Virtualization

Overview on HPE Ethernet 10/25Gb 2-Port 640FLR-SFP28 Adapter

The HPE Ethernet 640FLR-SFP28 adapter is a high-performance networking solution designed to meet the increasing bandwidth requirements of modern data centers. This adapter utilizes the FlexibleLOM form factor, which allows it to plug into a dedicated server slot, preserving standard PCIe slots for other hardware. It supports both 10Gb and 25Gb Ethernet speeds, providing a scalable path for organizations transitioning to higher-speed infrastructure.

Because it is optimized for high-performance computing and telco environments, it delivers ultra-low latency and high packet throughput. Therefore, it is an essential component for building efficient, high-density cloud and virtualized platforms.

High-Speed Performance and RDMA

This adapter is engineered to handle massive data transfers with minimal CPU impact. Specifically, it includes the following:

• 25Gbps Bandwidth: Provides 2.5 times more bandwidth than traditional 10GbE solutions, improving overall application performance.

• RDMA over Converged Ethernet (RoCE v1/v2): Offloads data movement from the CPU to the adapter, significantly reducing latency and increasing host efficiency.

• Dual-Port Connectivity: Offers two SFP28 ports for high-speed redundancy or increased total throughput.

• PCIe 3.0 x8 Interface: Ensures ample bus bandwidth to support simultaneous 25Gbps traffic on both ports.

Optimized for Cloud and Virtualization

The 640FLR-SFP28 includes specialized features to enhance virtualized workloads. Specifically, it offers:

• Tunneling Offloads: Supports VXLAN, NVGRE, and GENEVE offloading to maintain high performance in software-defined networks.

• SR-IOV Support: Enables virtual machines to share hardware resources directly, achieving near-native networking speeds.

• DPDK Integration: Optimized for the Data Plane Development Kit to accelerate small packet processing for telco and NFV applications.

• VFS Support: Supports up to 256 Virtual Functions, allowing for massive scalability in virtualized server environments.

Management and Reliability

HPE provides enterprise-grade tools to ensure stable and secure operations. Specifically:

• Digitally Signed Firmware: Protects against unauthorized firmware updates to ensure the integrity of the network adapter.

• HPE Sea of Sensors 3D: Communicates with server thermal sensors to optimize cooling and reduce power consumption.

• HPE iLO Integration: Allows for remote management, health monitoring, and seamless firmware updates through the Integrated Lights-Out ecosystem.

• Preboot Execution Environment (PXE): Enables automated operating system deployments over the network.

Server Compatibility and Form Factor

The FlexibleLOM design is specifically tailored for HPE ProLiant Gen9 and Gen10 servers, such as the DL360 and DL380 series. Because it uses the SFP28 interface, it is backward compatible with 10GbE SFP+ modules and cables, allowing for a phased network upgrade. It supports various cabling options, including Direct Attach Copper (DAC) for short distances and Fiber Optic transceivers for extended reach.

Specifications

• Brand: Hewlett Packard Enterprise (HPE)

• Controller: Mellanox ConnectX-4 Lx

• Data Rate: 10 Gbps or 25 Gbps per port

• Ports: 2 x SFP28

• Form Factor: FlexibleLOM

• Bus Type: PCI Express 3.0 x8

• Power: 9.7W Typical; 13.0W Maximum

Conclusion

The HPE Ethernet 640FLR-SFP28 is a future-proof networking solution that bridges the gap between 10Gb and 25Gb infrastructure. It combines the low-latency benefits of RDMA with advanced virtualization offloads and a compact FlexibleLOM design. Moreover, its robust security features ensure a protected and reliable data center environment. Therefore, it is a top-tier choice for any organization requiring high-speed, high-efficiency connectivity for their HPE server fleet.