HP 405943-504 16x Ports 4Gb/s Fibre Channel Pass-Thru Module

Product Description

The HP 405943-504 is a 16-port Fibre Channel Pass-Thru Module specifically designed for Storage Area Network (SAN) deployments. In a pass-thru configuration, the module acts as a simple conduit, directly connecting the Fibre Channel ports on the host system (e.g., servers) to the Fibre Channel ports on storage devices. Unlike a Fibre Channel switch, a pass-thru module does not perform any active switching, zoning, or management functions. Its primary role is to provide a high-density, physical interconnection point for Fibre Channel HBAs (Host Bus Adapters) and storage arrays. Each of the 16 ports on this module supports a data transfer rate of 4 Gigabits per second (4Gb/s), which was a standard speed for high-performance SANs during its relevant era. This allows for rapid data access and transfer between servers and storage, crucial for demanding applications like databases, virtualization, and high-performance computing. The pass-thru design simplifies the SAN fabric, potentially reducing complexity and points of failure compared to a fully switched environment, especially in smaller or dedicated point-to-point connections. This module is typically installed in a compatible HP server or storage chassis, providing a clean and organized way to manage multiple Fibre Channel connections. It is an ideal solution for direct-attached storage configurations or for building simple, high-bandwidth SAN topologies where the advanced features of a full Fibre Channel switch are not required. The 405943-504 ensures reliable, high-speed data paths for critical storage traffic.