1910-8203 - 4 GB Dual-Port Fibre Channel PCI-X 2.0 DDR Adapter

The IBM Power6 8203-E4A (#1910) 4 GB Dual-Port Fibre Channel PCI-X 2.0 DDR Adapter

The 4 Gigabit Dual-Port Fibre Channel PCI-X 2.0 DDR Adapter is a 64-bit address/data, short form factor PCI-X adapter with an LC type external fiber connector that provides single or dual initiator capability over an optical fiber link or loop. With the use of appropriate optical fiber cabling, this adapter provides the capability for a network of high-speed local and remote located storage. The adapter will auto-negotiate for the highest data rate between adapter and an attaching device at 1 Gbps, 2 Gbps or 4 Gbps of which the device or switch is capable. Between the adapter and an attaching device or switch, the distances supported are up to: 500 meters running at 1 Gbps data rate, 300 meters running at 2 Gbps data rate, and 150 meters running at 4 Gbps data rate. When used with IBM Fibre Channel storage switches supporting long-wave optics, distances of up to 10 kilometers are capable running at either 1 Gbps, 2 Gbps, or 4 Gbps data rates.

The 4 Gb Dual-Port Fibre Channel PCI-X Adapter can be used to attach devices either directly, or by means of Fibre Channel Switches. If attaching a device or switch with a SC type fiber connector(s), use of an LC-SC 50 Micron Fiber Converter Cable The IBM Power6 8203-E4A (#2456) or a LC-SC 62.5 Micron Fiber Converter Cable The IBM Power6 8203-E4A (#2459) is required.

There are two maximum quantities for High Bandwidth adapters, one for performance, and one for connectivity. Adapter performance may be limited by bandwidth constraints in a network. To maximize High Bandwidth adapter performance in the server the performance maximum quantity should not be exceeded. In applications where the end-to-end network cannot sustain high performance and or connectivity is more important than overall bandwidth performance the performance maximum quantity can be exceeded up to the connectivity maximum quantity.

Refer to the following IBM storage subsystem Web page for additional supported server attachment information for IBM devices.

http://www.ibm.com/servers/storage/product/ products_pseries.html

Consult with your IBM representative or Business Partner for additional information relative to any third party attachment.

Note: Carefully consider the usage of this card. If placed in a PCI-X slot rated as SDR compatible and/or has the slot speed of 133 MHz, the AIX value of the max_xfer_size must be kept at the default setting of 0x100000 (1 megabyte) when both ports are in use. The architecture of the DMA buffer for these slots does not accommodate larger max_xfer_size settings.

Attributes provided: 2 Fibre Channel

Attributes required: 1 empty PCI or PCI-X 2.0 slot

For 8203-E4A: The IBM Power6 8203-E4A (#1910)

Minimum required: 0

Maximum allowed: 50 (Initial order maximum: 0)

OS level required: AIX 5.3 with the 5300-07 Technology Level or later. AIX 6.1 or later. SUSE Linux Enterprise Server 10 SP1 for POWER Systems, or later. Red Hat Enterprise Linux for POWER, version 4.5, or later. Red Hat Enterprise Linux for POWER, version 5.1, or later.

Initial Order/MES/Both/Supported: Supported

CSU: Yes

Return parts MES: Does not apply

Note: Maximum of two allowed in CEC under AIX or Linux.

System maximum of 50 under AIX or Linux.

Not supported under IBM i.