Product Description
High-Speed IBM EN2A 16Gb 2-Port Fibre Channel Adapter for Power Systems
The IBM EN2A PCIe3 16Gb 2-Port Fibre Channel Adapter (Feature Code: EN2A, CCIN: 579D, Part Numbers: 02JD564, 02JD560) is a high-performance x8 PCIe Gen3 adapter tailored for IBM Power Systems. With two SFP+ LC ports, it supports 4, 8, or 16 Gbps speeds over multimode fibre (OM1-OM4), delivering distances of 400m at 4 Gbps, 190m at 8 Gbps, or 125m at 16 Gbps. Ideal for AIX, IBM i, and Linux, this adapter drives enterprise storage for demanding workloads.
Core Specs of the EN2A Fibre Channel Adapter
This network interface card (NIC) features two 16Gb fibre channel ports for fast, reliable data transfer. It supports N_Port ID Virtualization (NPIV) via Virtual I/O Server (VIOS), enabling flexible single or multi-initiator setups. Designed for IBM Power Systems, its short-form, full-height build integrates seamlessly into Power 9 environments, supporting tasks like analytics, AI, and database operations.
How It Stacks Up: EN2A vs. IBM EN0H 4-Port 10Gb CNA
Compared to the IBM EN0H 4-Port 10Gb/1Gb Converged Network Adapter (CNA), which uses 10Gb SR optical ports and 1Gb RJ45 ports for Ethernet and FCoE, the EN2A is optimized for fibre channel storage networks. The EN0H’s 4-port 10Gb configuration suits converged Ethernet/FCoE setups, but the EN2A’s 16Gb fibre channel ports deliver superior speed for storage area networks (SANs).
Technical Breakdown
- Feature Code: EN2A
- CCIN: 579D
- Part Numbers: 02JD564, 02JD560
- Interface: PCIe Gen3 x8
- Ports: 2x SFP+ LC with shortwave optics
- Speeds: 4, 8, 16 Gbps (auto-negotiating)
- Cables: Multimode fibre (OM1-OM4)
- Distances: 400m (4 Gbps), 190m (8 Gbps), 125m (16 Gbps)
- OS Support: AIX, IBM i, Linux
- Form Factor: Short form, full height
Why It Matters for Your Data Center
The EN2A fibre channel adapter is engineered for speed and reliability in storage-heavy environments. NPIV support enables virtualized port management, optimizing resources. Multimode fibre compatibility offers cabling flexibility, and its durable design minimizes downtime. For Power Systems users, this adapter powers critical storage tasks effortlessly.
Fibre Channel vs. Converged Network Adapters
A converged network adapter (CNA) like the EN0H combines Ethernet and 10Gb FCoE traffic, using 10Gb SR optical or 1Gb RJ45 ports for versatile networking. The EN2A, however, is dedicated to fibre channel, prioritizing low-latency, high-throughput storage connectivity for SANs, making it ideal for storage-focused environments.
Top Reasons to Pick the EN2A
The EN2A excels with its high-speed network interface, supporting NPIV and auto-negotiation for modern data centers. Unlike 10Gb FCoE or 4-port 10Gb Ethernet adapters, it’s built for fibre channel, delivering top performance for IBM Power 9 and compatible systems running storage-intensive workloads.
Real-World Applications
This adapter shines in:
- Databases: Fast access to large datasets.
- AI/Analytics: High-speed data for compute-heavy tasks.
- Backups: Reliable SAN connectivity for storage recovery.
Its support for AIX, IBM i, and Linux ensures compatibility across diverse IT setups.
Easy Setup and Compatibility
The EN2A’s full-height, short-form design fits easily into IBM Power Systems’ PCIe slots. It integrates with VIOS for virtualized environments and supports IBM’s enterprise OS platforms. Use OM3 or OM4 multimode fibre and verify firmware compatibility for optimal performance.
Wrapping Up
The IBM EN2A 16Gb 2-Port Fibre Channel Adapter is a powerhouse for enterprise storage, offering NPIV, multimode fibre support, and 16 Gbps speeds. Tailored for IBM Power Systems, it outperforms IBM EN0H 4-Port CNAs in SAN environments, making it perfect for databases, analytics, and backups. For Power 9 users, the EN2A keeps your storage network ready for today’s data demands.
Boost your data center with the EN2A’s high-speed, reliable fibre channel connectivity, built for enterprise-grade performance.
