Design
Product colour	Green, Grey
Certification	AS/NZS CISPR22:2009+A1, Class A CSA 22.2, No. 60950-1-07 (2nd Edition) EN55022:2010, Class A EN55024:2010 EU (CE Mark) FCC Rules, Part 15, Class A Industry Canada, ICES-003, Class A Japan VCCI, Class A Korea KC-RRA, Class A TUV EN60950-1:2006+A11+A1+A12 (2nd Edition) Taiwan BSMI, Class A UL60950-1 (2nd Edition)
Internal
Logistics data
Harmonized System (HS) code	85176990
Network
Maximum data transfer rate	32000 Mbit/s
Operational conditions
Operating temperature (T-T)	0 - 55 °C
Storage temperature (T-T)	-20 - 70 °C
Operating relative humidity (H-H)	10 - 95%
Storage relative humidity (H-H)	5 - 95%
Packaging data
Quantity per pack	1 pc(s)
Ports & interfaces
Connectivity technology	Wired
Host interface	PCI Express
Interface	Fiber
Fiber ports quantity	1
Fiber optic connector	SFP+
System requirements
Compatible operating systems	Microsoft Windows Server 2012 R2 Microsoft Windows Server 2016 Red Hat Enterprise Linux 6 Server x64 Edition Red Hat Enterprise Linux 7 SUSE Linux Enterprise Server 11 for AMD64/EM64T SUSE Linux Enterprise Server 11 with Xen for AMD64/EM64T SUSE Linux Enterprise Server 12 SUSE Linux Enterprise Server 12 with XEN VMware ESXi 6.5
Weight & dimensions
Width	69 mm
Depth	168 mm

The Lenovo 7ZT7A00518 is an integrated Fibre Channel Host Bus Adapter (HBA), specifically designed for use in ThinkSystem servers. It serves as an interface between the server and a Fibre Channel SAN (Storage Area Network), supporting high-availability, high-performance storage solutions. The adapter features a PCI Express host interface and enables a maximum data transfer rate of 32,000 Mbit/s, equivalent to a transfer speed of 32 Gbit/s. This performance is suitable for applications with high I/O requirements, such as all-flash arrays (AFAs), where high access rates and low latency are required.

Applications

The adapter is designed for use in enterprise environments where a stable and fast connection to Fibre Channel storage systems is necessary. It is typically used in servers integrated into data centres or IT infrastructures with high storage demands. Support for SFP+ (Small Form-factor Pluggable Plus) optics enables flexible cabling with fibre optic cables, suitable for long distances and high data rates. The wired transmission technology ensures reliable and secure data transfer within the network.

Functions and Equipment in Detail

The Lenovo 7ZT7A00518 features one fibre connection, implemented via an SFP+ optical cable connector. This standard allows the use of various types of fibre optic cables, depending on network requirements. The PCI Express interface ensures a fast and direct connection to the server bus, minimizing CPU load. The hardware offload functions of the adapter reduce processor load, which is particularly beneficial in multi-processor and multi-core-based servers. The maximum data rate of 32 Gbit/s supports high I/O loads and helps avoid bottlenecks in storage access.

Technology Explained Simply

Fibre Channel is a storage networking technology optimized for transporting storage data over short to medium distances. Unlike IP-based networks such as iSCSI, Fibre Channel provides a dedicated, low-latency connection, making it especially suitable for critical applications. The adapter uses Generation 6 (Gen 6) Fibre Channel technology, based on Cavium technology. The use of SFP+ enables a modular and scalable network infrastructure, as various transceivers (e.g., for single-mode or multi-mode fibre) can be used. The 32 Gbit/s transfer rate corresponds to the current standard performance for Fibre Channel adapters and is sufficient for modern storage solutions.

Compatibility and Accessories

The adapter is compatible with a wide range of operating systems, including Microsoft Windows Server 2012 R2 and 2016, Red Hat Enterprise Linux 6 and 7, SUSE Linux Enterprise Server 11 and 12 (including XEN support), and VMware ESXi 6.5. This broad compatibility enables integration into heterogeneous IT environments. Certification according to EN55022:2010, Class A, FCC Part 15, Class A, and other international standards ensures electromagnetic compatibility and operational safety. The operating temperature ranges from 0 to 55 °C, and the storage temperature ranges from -20 to 70 °C. Relative humidity during operation is 10 to 95 %, and during storage, it is 5 to 95 %.

Installation and Mounting

The adapter is designed as an integrated module and is installed into a free PCI Express slot in the server. Installation involves physical insertion followed by operating system configuration, including the installation of drivers specific to the operating system. The physical dimensions are 69 mm width and 168 mm depth, matching the standard for PCIe adapters. The product colour is green and grey, typical for Lenovo server components.

Operational Advantages

Using the Lenovo 7ZT7A00518 provides high I/O performance with up to 1.3 million I/O operations per second (IOPS), making it suitable for applications with high storage access demands. Low CPU utilization due to hardware offloads improves overall server performance. Support for Fibre Channel SANs enables centralized storage management and high availability of storage resources. The modular SFP+ interface offers flexibility in network design and simplifies maintenance and infrastructure expansion.