HPE Mellanox® P26659-B24 200Gb to 2x100Gb AOC: This high-performance active optical splitter cable (AOC) is engineered for long-distance connectivity in HPE InfiniBand HDR environments. It splits a single 200Gb/s QSFP56 switch port into two 100Gb/s (HDR100) endpoints up to 15 meters away. This capability is vital for connecting non-adjacent racks in large data centers without signal degradation. This is a fixed-length integrated cable assembly, not a transceiver with a detachable patch cord.
🔧 Technical Specifications
OEM: HPE (Mellanox Original)
P/N: P26659-B24
Cross-Reference: MFS1S50-H015V / NVIDIA 980-9I96H-00H015
Type: Active Optical Splitter (Breakout)
Data Rate: 200Gb/s to 2x 100Gb/s (HDR to 2x HDR100)
Length: 15 Meters
Power Consumption: < 5.0W (Source) / < 3.5W (Ends)
🌐 Engineering Context: The P26659-B24 solves the "reach vs. density" challenge in hyperscale clusters. While copper DACs fail beyond 3 meters for splitters, this 15-meter AOC utilizes superior VCSEL optics to maintain Deterministic Latency and EMI Immunity across rows. It allows network architects to consolidate switching resources in a central rack (End-of-Row architecture) while distributing compute nodes across a wider physical footprint.
🧠 Typical Use Cases
Connecting HPE Quantum HDR switches to HPE Apollo/ProLiant servers in different rows.
End-of-Row (EoR) network topologies requiring long-reach high-bandwidth links.
HPC clusters where airflow requirements dictate cable routing through overhead trays, requiring extra cable length.
Deployments in electrically noisy environments where fiber optics are required to prevent data corruption.
 
✅ Compatible With: HPE InfiniBand HDR Switches, HPE Apollo Systems, HPE ProLiant DL/ML Gen10 Plus Servers, and NVIDIA Quantum QM87xx Series. (Requires ports configured for native 200Gb HDR operation and MSA-compliant support)
❌ NOT Compatible With: Standard 100G EDR ports (unless PAM4 capable); legacy 40G/56G hardware; switches that do not support port splitting (breakout mode).
 
🛠️ Installation & Thermal Management
Slack Management: At 15 meters, excess cable length must be managed carefully. Store slack in "figure-8" loops rather than tight coils to prevent bend radius violations (min 60mm).
Latency: Despite the length, the optical transmission ensures near-zero latency penalty compared to shorter cables, maintaining the low-latency requirements of InfiniBand HDR.
Connector Stress: Ensure the weight of the 15m cable is supported by cable trays/management arms, not by the QSFP56 connector itself, to avoid port damage over time.
 
🤝 Why Choose T.E.S IT-SOLUTIONS? We specialize in enterprise-grade HPE and networking solutions. Every unit is strictly validated for 200Gb/s to 2x100Gb/s performance in our lab. We offer expert consultation, fast worldwide shipping, and a comprehensive warranty to ensure your data center infrastructure runs without compromise.