Oracle Sun StorageTek SG-XPCIE2FC-QF8-Z

Description

The Oracle Sun StorageTek SG-XPCIE2FC-QF8-Z is a high-performance dual-port Fibre Channel PCI Express HBA designed to connect supported Oracle/Sun servers and storage platforms to Fibre Channel Storage Area Networks (SANs).

The adapter provides two independent Fibre Channel optical ports, with each port capable of operating at 8Gb/s, 4Gb/s, or 2Gb/s through automatic speed negotiation. This allows the HBA to integrate into Fibre Channel environments operating at different generations of FC technology.

The HBA uses an eight-lane PCI Express bus and is implemented as a PCI Express small-form-factor adapter. The dual-port design provides two independent FC connections, which can be used for redundant SAN paths, multipathing, improved availability, or separate connections to Fibre Channel fabrics.

The adapter is associated with QLogic QLE2562 technology. QLogic’s Oracle preload documentation identifies the SG-XPCIE2FC-QF8-Z as the dual-port 8Gb Fibre Channel adapter and provides firmware/update packages specifically for the QLE2562-based adapter.

Oracle documentation lists the SG-XPCIE2FC-QF8-Z among its supported Sun StorageTek Dual Port 8Gb FC PCIe HBAs, alongside the corresponding QLogic and Emulex variants.

Key Specifications

Specifications are based on Oracle’s StorageTek 8Gb FC HBA documentation and QLogic/Oracle product identification.

Key Features & Benefits

• Dual 8Gb Fibre Channel ports for high-speed SAN connectivity.
• Supports 8Gb/s, 4Gb/s, and 2Gb/s Fibre Channel operation.
• Automatic speed negotiation simplifies integration with different Fibre Channel infrastructures.
• PCI Express x8 host interface provides high-bandwidth server connectivity.
• Dual-port architecture supports redundant SAN paths and high-availability configurations.
• Based on QLogic QLE2562 Fibre Channel technology.
• Suitable for enterprise server, SAN, and storage infrastructure.
• Designed for Oracle/Sun StorageTek environments and supported Oracle platforms.
• Useful for Fibre Channel fabric, storage-array, and SAN-attached server connectivity.

Fibre Channel Connectivity

Each of the adapter’s two Fibre Channel ports operates independently and supports:

• 8Gb/s
• 4Gb/s
• 2Gb/s

The ports automatically negotiate the appropriate supported Fibre Channel speed with the connected infrastructure.

The dual-port configuration can be used to connect a server to separate Fibre Channel fabrics or storage paths, providing a practical foundation for SAN redundancy and multipathing.

Compatibility

Oracle documentation identifies the SG-XPCIE2FC-QF8-Z as a Sun StorageTek Dual Port 8Gb FC PCIe HBA. The adapter is documented for use across a range of Oracle/Sun server and storage platforms.

Published compatibility information includes systems such as:

• Sun Fire X4100/X4200 series
• Sun Fire X4150/X4170/X4270 series
• Sun Fire X4450/X4470 series
• Sun Server X2-4
• Sun Server X3-2 / X3-2L
• Sun Server X4-2 / X4-2L / X4-4 / X4-8
• SPARC Enterprise systems
• SPARC T3, T4, and T5 platforms
• Oracle ZFS Storage systems
• Selected Oracle storage and tape-library environments

Compatibility can vary by system generation, firmware, bracket configuration, and operating-system support, so the target platform should be checked before installation.

Recommended Applications

• Fibre Channel SAN connectivity
• Enterprise storage networks
• Oracle/Sun server connectivity
• Storage array access
• SAN boot environments
• Redundant storage paths
• Fibre Channel fabric connectivity
• Data-center infrastructure
• Storage virtualization environments
• High-availability server configurations

SAN & High-Availability Use

The two independent Fibre Channel ports make the adapter suitable for environments where redundant connectivity is required. A common deployment is to connect each port to a separate Fibre Channel fabric or redundant storage path.

This architecture can help maintain storage connectivity if one FC path, switch, or connection becomes unavailable, provided the server operating system and storage infrastructure are configured for appropriate multipathing.

Installation

The adapter installs into a compatible PCI Express x8 slot. Fibre Channel optical connections are made through the adapter’s two FC ports using compatible Fibre Channel optics and cabling.

Oracle’s documentation identifies the board as a PCI Express small-form-factor HBA with an eight-lane PCI Express bus.

Compatibility Note

This is an 8Gb Fibre Channel HBA, not an Ethernet network adapter and not a SAS/SATA storage controller.

For correct operation, verify:

1. The server supports the SG-XPCIE2FC-QF8-Z / 371-4325 HBA.
2. A compatible PCI Express slot is available.
3. The installed Fibre Channel switches/storage systems support the required FC speeds.
4. Compatible Fibre Channel optical transceivers and cables are installed.
5. Appropriate Oracle/Sun or QLogic drivers and firmware are used for the operating system.

Oracle’s documentation specifically identifies the QLogic adapter as SG-XPCIE2FC-QF8-Z / QLE2562.