Product Description
IBM EN2A 16Gb 2-Port Fibre Channel Adapter
The IBM EN2A PCIe3 16Gb 2-Port Fibre Channel Adapter (Feature Code: EN2A, CCIN: 579D, Part Numbers: 02JD564, 02JD560) is a high-speed x8 PCIe Gen3 adapter built for IBM Power Systems. With two SFP+ LC ports, it delivers 4, 8, or 16 Gbps speeds over multimode fibre (OM1-OM4), supporting distances of 400m at 4 Gbps, 190m at 8 Gbps, or 125m at 16 Gbps. Perfect for AIX, IBM i, and Linux, this adapter powers enterprise storage for demanding workloads like databases and analytics.
What Makes the EN2A Stand Out
This network interface card (NIC) features two 16Gb fibre channel ports for quick, dependable data transfers. It supports N_Port ID Virtualization (NPIV) via Virtual I/O Server (VIOS), offering flexible single or multi-initiator setups. Its short-form, full-height design fits smoothly into Power 9 systems, making it a great fit for AI, analytics, and database tasks.
EN2A vs. IBM EN0H 4-Port 10Gb Adapter
The IBM EN0H 4-Port 10Gb/1Gb Converged Network Adapter (CNA) uses 10Gb SR optical ports and 1Gb RJ45 ports for Ethernet and 10Gb FCoE networking. The EN2A, however, is all about fibre channel, delivering faster speeds for storage area networks (SANs). While the EN0H’s 4-port 10Gb setup works well for mixed Ethernet/FCoE environments, the EN2A is the go-to for storage-heavy tasks.
Tech Specs at a Glance
- 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 Your Data Center Needs the EN2A
The EN2A fibre channel adapter is built for speed and reliability in storage-intensive setups. NPIV lets you manage virtual ports efficiently, while multimode fibre support offers cabling flexibility. Its sturdy design keeps downtime low, making it a solid choice for Power Systems users handling critical storage tasks.
Fibre Channel vs. Converged Adapters
A converged network adapter (CNA) like the EN0H blends Ethernet FCoE and networking, using 10Gb SR optical ports or 1Gb RJ45 ports for mixed traffic. The EN2A focuses solely on fibre channel, delivering low-latency, high-throughput connectivity for SANs, perfect for storage-first environments.
Top Benefits of the EN2A
With a fast network interface, NPIV support, and auto-negotiation, the EN2A is built for today’s data centers. Unlike 10Gb FCoE or 4-port 10Gb Ethernet adapters, it’s optimized for fibre channel, offering top-notch performance for Power 9 systems running storage-heavy workloads.
Where It Shines
The EN2A is ideal for:
- Databases: Quick access to large datasets.
- AI/Analytics: Fast data for compute-heavy jobs.
- Backups: Reliable SAN connections for storage recovery.
It works seamlessly with AIX, IBM i, and Linux, fitting a wide range of IT setups.
Setup Made Simple
The EN2A’s full-height, short-form design slides easily into Power Systems’ PCIe slots. It pairs with VIOS for virtualized environments and supports IBM’s enterprise OS platforms. For best results, use OM3 or OM4 multimode fibre and check firmware compatibility.
The Bottom Line
The IBM EN2A 16Gb 2-Port Fibre Channel Adapter is a storage powerhouse, offering NPIV, multimode fibre support, and 16 Gbps speeds. Built for Power Systems, it beats IBM EN0H 4-Port CNAs for SAN performance, making it perfect for databases, analytics, and backups. For Power 9 users, the EN2A keeps your storage network ready for today’s data challenges.
Level up your data center with the EN2A’s fast, reliable fibre channel connectivity, designed for enterprise-grade performance.
