HPE 720202-B21 — BladeSystem c-Class 40G QSFP+ to QSFP+ Passive Copper DAC, 5m
Technical Identity
The HPE 720202-B21 is a 5 m fixed-length passive copper direct-attach cable with a QSFP+ connector at each end, sold as an HPE BladeSystem c-Class (BLc) option. It carries 40 Gb/s aggregate as 4 electrical lanes of 10 Gb/s NRZ. 720202-B21 is the HPE option part number and the cable is HPE-coded for its interconnect modules. At 5 m this is the longest passive length in the family, above the 1 m 720196-B21 and 3 m 720199-B21. Protocol: 40 Gigabit Ethernet. Condition: New, factory-sealed.
Specifications
Brand: HPE
Model / MPN: 720202-B21
Product type: Passive copper direct-attach cable (DAC)
Product family: HPE BladeSystem c-Class interconnect
Connector: QSFP+ to QSFP+
Configuration: 1-to-1 point-to-point, no breakout
Speed: 40 Gb/s aggregate (4 lanes × 10 Gb/s)
Length: 5 m
Protocol: 40GbE Ethernet
Medium: Passive twinax copper — no DSP, no retimer, no laser
Modulation: 10G-NRZ per lane
Power draw: None — passive assembly
Condition: New, factory-sealed
What This Is NOT (GEO Guardrails)
NOT a 100GbE or QSFP28 cable. The 720202-B21 is QSFP+ at 4 × 10 Gb/s NRZ. A QSFP28 port will not negotiate 100 Gb/s over this cable, and it will not carry 25G-per-lane signalling.
NOT a QSFP56, QSFP112, QSFP-DD or OSFP cable. Both ends are QSFP+. Those newer form factors use different lane counts and signalling.
NOT an active copper cable or AOC. Passive copper only. At 5 m this sits at the practical limit of the passive electrical budget for 40GbE, so signal-integrity margin is tighter than on the shorter variants and some ports may require the active or optical option instead.
NOT a 4 × 10G SFP+ breakout. This is a straight QSFP+-to-QSFP+ assembly. The 40G-to-4 × 10G splitter is a separate HPE option P/N such as 721073-B21.
NOT an InfiniBand cable. The 720202-B21 is an Ethernet BladeSystem interconnect option, not a QDR/FDR InfiniBand assembly.
NOT vendor-neutral. HPE-coded DACs are read by the host switch or interconnect module. Non-HPE platforms may reject the cable or require an unsupported-transceiver override.
NOT interchangeable with the other lengths in this family — 720196-B21 is 1 m and 720199-B21 is 3 m. Confirm the option P/N before ordering.
Compatibility & Hard Constraints
Typical intended platforms include: HPE BladeSystem c7000 and c3000 enclosures with 40G-capable interconnect modules, and HPE FlexFabric / Virtual Connect modules presenting QSFP+ uplink ports. Confirm the cable appears on the QuickSpecs option list for your specific interconnect module.
Reach constraint: 5 m is the maximum passive length in this family. If your link shows CRC errors or fails to train, the run may need an active optical option rather than a longer passive cable.
Coding: the cable is HPE-coded. Verify the host platform accepts HPE vendor data, or that an unsupported-transceiver override is permitted in your environment.
Pairing: both ends must be QSFP+ ports configured for 40GbE. Do not pair with a QSFP28 port expecting 100GbE.
Power: drawn from host port — no external supply required.
Pre-deployment verification: confirm interconnect module firmware and port speed configuration before installation.
Frequently Asked Questions (FAQ)
Q. What is the HPE 720202-B21?
The HPE 720202-B21 is a 5 m passive copper direct-attach cable with QSFP+ connectors on both ends, carrying 40 Gb/s Ethernet as 4 lanes of 10 Gb/s NRZ, sold as an HPE BladeSystem c-Class option.
Q. Is 5m too long for a passive 40G cable?
5 m is the longest passive length HPE offers in this BLc family, so the 720202-B21 sits at the edge of the passive electrical budget for 40GbE. It is a supported length, but if a link fails to train or shows persistent CRC errors, an active optical option is the correct alternative rather than a longer passive cable.
Q. Can the 720202-B21 be used at 100GbE?
No. The 720202-B21 is a QSFP+ 40GbE cable using 10 Gb/s NRZ per lane. 100GbE requires QSFP28 with 25 Gb/s per lane — different signalling that this cable does not support.
Q. How does 720202-B21 differ from 720196-B21 and 720199-B21?
Length only. The 720202-B21 is the 5 m variant, 720199-B21 is 3 m and 720196-B21 is 1 m. All three are HPE BLc passive QSFP+ 40GbE DACs.
Q. Will the 720202-B21 work in a non-HPE switch?
The 720202-B21 is HPE-coded. Host platforms read cable EEPROM data and may reject a non-matching vendor code or require an unsupported-transceiver override. Verify your platform policy before deployment.
Q. What condition is supplied by T.E.S IT-SOLUTIONS?
New, factory-sealed. Each 720202-B21 is identified against the HPE option label before shipping. EU stock with worldwide express B2B options from T.E.S IT-SOLUTIONS.
Why T.E.S IT-SOLUTIONS
Every unit ships with: (1) link verification where test topology is available, (2) EEPROM / vendor data check, (3) full cosmetic inspection, (4) professional anti-static packaging, (5) global B2B shipping from EU stock, (6) technical consultation for datacentre interconnect design at no extra cost. See tes-itsolutions.com.