Ethernet Expansion Card (CFFv) for IBM BladeCenter
4
Popular configurations
There are two popular configurations for using the Ethernet Expansion Card (CFFv).
Adding two extra Ethernet ports per blade server
Most often, the Ethernet Expansion Card (CFFv) is used to expand the number of Ethernet ports per
blade to increase network bandwidth as shown in Figure 3.
Figure 3. The Ethernet Expansion Card (CFFv) providing two extra Ethernet ports per blade server
Table 3 lists the components that are used in this configuration.
Table 3. Components for connecting the Ethernet Expansion Card (CFFv) to an external Ethernet network
Diagram
reference
Part number /
machine type
Description
Quantity
Varies
Supported IBM BladeCenter server
1 to 14
39Y9310
Ethernet Expansion Card (CFFv)
1 per
server
Varies
IBM BladeCenter E, BladeCenter H, or BladeCenter S*
1
Varies
Any Ethernet-compatible switch module (standard form factor)
1 or 2
* The expansion card can be installed in servers in the BladeCenter S (8886). However, by doing so, you
lose the ability to connect to the BladeCenter S Disk Storage Modules (DSMs). The Ethernet expansion
card goes in the place of the SAS expansion card that is needed to connect to the DSMs. Instead, use the
2/4 Port Ethernet Expansion Card (CFFh), part number 44W4479.
