Cisco Emulex LPe31002 Dual Port 16G FC HBA

In today’s data-driven landscape, steady, high-bandwidth connectivity to storage is the lifeblood of mission-critical applications. The Cisco Emulex LPe31002 Dual Port 16G FC HBA is engineered to deliver enterprise-grade Fibre Channel performance with two 16 Gbps ports, optimized for speed, reliability, and scalability in data center environments. This plug-in Fibre Channel host bus adapter is designed to meet the demanding prerequisites of modern SAN infrastructures, providing robust data throughput, low latency, and dependable I/O for demanding workloads such as databases, virtualization, and large-scale backups. Built to integrate seamlessly into standard servers, the LPe31002 combines Cisco Emulex’s proven technology with a form-factor that fits naturally into existing rack and blade server ecosystems, empowering IT teams to expand storage bandwidth without disruptive migrations or complex rework.

• Dual 16 Gbps Fibre Channel ports enable high aggregate bandwidth and dual-path connectivity, reducing bottlenecks and increasing storage I/O throughput to support modern enterprise workloads with fast, consistent access to SAN storage.
• Plug-in card design for straightforward deployment in standard servers and chassis with PCIe-compatible slots, allowing rapid upgrades and scalable storage connectivity without extensive downtime or hardware changes.
• Enterprise-grade reliability tailored for data centers, with solid error detection, stable path management, and compatibility with diverse Fibre Channel fabrics to help maximize uptime and protect critical data assets.
• Comprehensive management and driver support from Cisco Emulex, ensuring streamlined installation, configuration, and ongoing fabric monitoring. Compatibility with common operating systems and virtualization-ready environments helps IT teams maintain visibility and control over SAN performance.
• Energy-efficient and compact design that optimizes space in dense data center racks while delivering sustained performance. The LPe31002’s efficiency supports greener data center operations without compromising I/O capabilities or reliability.

Technical Details of Cisco Emulex LPe31002 Dual Port 16G FC HBA

• Product: Cisco Emulex LPe31002 Dual Port 16G FC HBA
• Ports: 2 x Fibre Channel ports
• Data Rate: 16 Gbps per port
• HBA Type: Fibre Channel Host Bus Adapter
• Form Factor: Plug-in card for standard server PCIe slots
• Target Use: Enterprise data center storage connectivity
• Fabric Compatibility: Supports common Fibre Channel SAN fabrics for scalable storage architectures

how to install Cisco Emulex LPe31002 Dual Port 16G FC HBA

• Power down the server completely and disconnect all power sources to ensure safe installation of the HBA.
• Open the server chassis following the manufacturer’s guidelines and locate a suitable PCIe slot for the plug-in HBA. Choose a slot that provides adequate bandwidth and spacing for optimal airflow and cooling.
• Remove the slot’s blanking plate if required and insert the LPe31002 card firmly into the PCIe slot. Ensure the card seats evenly and is secured with a chassis screw or retention mechanism as dictated by the server design.
• Close the chassis, reconnect power, and boot the server. Watch for any post-boot prompts related to new hardware and allow the operating system to recognize the new adapter.
• Install or update the Cisco Emulex drivers and management utilities. Use Cisco’s official support site or your operating system’s trusted repositories to obtain the latest driver package and management tools for configuration and monitoring.
• Configure the HBA within the operating system or SAN fabric, assigning World Wide Names (WWNs), enabling multi-path I/O if required, and setting up zoning or fabric access according to your storage array and SAN policy. Validate connectivity by testing host-to-storage I/O and monitoring performance metrics via the Emulex management interface.
• Perform a SAN fabric health check, verify redundancy paths, and run a baseline performance test to confirm sustained throughput aligns with your storage expectations. Schedule regular firmware and driver updates as part of your maintenance plan to preserve compatibility and reliability.

Frequently asked questions

• Q: What does the Cisco Emulex LPe31002 do?
  A: It provides dual 16G Fibre Channel connectivity for servers to connect to SAN storage, delivering high throughput and reliability in enterprise environments.
• Q: How many ports does it have?
  A: It features 2 Fibre Channel ports, supporting dual-path configurations for improved redundancy and performance.
• Q: What kind of servers is it compatible with?
  A: It is designed for enterprise servers and installs as a plug-in HBA into standard server PCIe slots, compatible with common operating systems used in data centers.
• Q: How do I manage and monitor this HBA?
  A: Use Cisco Emulex management tools and drivers to configure the adapter, monitor port health, track throughput, and manage SAN fabric connections.