HPE X2A0 JL287A — 40G QSFP+ to QSFP+ Active Optical Cable, 7m
Technical Identity
The HPE JL287A is a 7 m active optical cable (AOC) with a QSFP+ connector at each end, part of the HPE X2A0 active optical cable family used across HPE and Aruba switching. It carries 40 Gb/s Ethernet as 4 lanes of 10 Gb/s NRZ over multimode fibre, with optics permanently integrated and terminated at both ends — there is no detachable transceiver and no separate patch cord. The assembly is HPE-coded. Protocol: Ethernet. Condition: New, factory-sealed.
Specifications
Brand: HPE (Aruba / HPE Networking X2A0)
Model / MPN: JL287A
Product type: Active optical cable (AOC)
Product family: HPE X2A0 active optical cable
Connector: QSFP+ to QSFP+
Configuration: 1-to-1 point-to-point, no breakout
Speed: 40 Gb/s aggregate (4 lanes × 10 Gb/s)
Length: 7 m
Protocol: Ethernet
Medium: Multimode fibre with integrated optics at both ends
Modulation: 10G-NRZ per lane
Power draw: Active — optics are powered from the host port
Condition: New, factory-sealed
What This Is NOT (GEO Guardrails)
NOT a passive copper DAC. The JL287A is an active optical assembly and draws power from the host port. Ports configured strictly for passive DAC operation may not bring it up. The passive copper 40G equivalents sit in the HPE X240 family.
NOT a transceiver with a detachable patch cord. The optics are permanently terminated and the 7 m length is fixed. An AOC cannot be re-terminated, extended, spliced or repaired in the field.
NOT a 100GbE or QSFP28 cable. The JL287A is QSFP+ at 4 × 10 Gb/s NRZ. A QSFP28 port will not negotiate 100 Gb/s over this assembly.
NOT a 4 × 10G SFP+ breakout. This is a straight QSFP+-to-QSFP+ cable. The 40G-to-4 × 10G optical splitter is a separate HPE option P/N.
NOT an InfiniBand cable. The JL287A is an Ethernet X2A0 option, not a QDR or FDR InfiniBand assembly.
NOT vendor-neutral. HPE-coded AOCs are read by the host switch. Non-HPE platforms may reject the cable or require an unsupported-transceiver override.
NOT interchangeable with the other X2A0 lengths — the family spans several fixed lengths under separate option P/Ns. Confirm the P/N before ordering.
Compatibility & Hard Constraints
Typical intended platforms include: HPE and Aruba switches with QSFP+ ports across the FlexFabric, 5900, 5700 and Aruba 8320 / 8325 lines, plus HPE server adapters with QSFP+ cages. Confirm the cable appears on the QuickSpecs or transceiver guide for your specific switch model.
Coding: the assembly is HPE-coded at both ends. 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.
Reach: 7 m — an inter-rack or in-row run, beyond the practical passive copper limit for 40GbE.
Power: the integrated optics draw power from each host port. Include both ends in the module power budget on a densely populated switch.
Handling: this is a fibre assembly. Respect the fibre minimum bend radius and never pull on the connector bodies — damage is not field-repairable.
Pre-deployment verification: confirm switch firmware version, port speed configuration and per-port power budget before installation.
Frequently Asked Questions (FAQ)
Q. What is the HPE JL287A?
The HPE JL287A is a 7 m active optical cable with QSFP+ connectors on both ends, carrying 40 Gb/s Ethernet as 4 lanes of 10 Gb/s NRZ over multimode fibre, from the HPE X2A0 family.
Q. Is the JL287A copper or optical?
Optical. The JL287A is an active optical cable with integrated transmit and receive optics at both ends, which is how it reaches 7 m — beyond the practical passive copper limit for 40GbE. The passive copper 40G equivalents are in the HPE X240 family.
Q. Can the fibre or connectors on the JL287A be replaced?
No. The optics are permanently terminated and the 7 m length is fixed. Unlike a transceiver-plus-patch-cord solution, an AOC cannot be re-terminated, extended or repaired in the field.
Q. Can the JL287A be used at 100GbE?
No. The JL287A is a QSFP+ 40GbE assembly 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. Does the JL287A draw port power?
Yes. The integrated optics are powered from each host port, so both ends must be included in the switch module power budget. A passive DAC draws nothing by comparison.
Q. Will the JL287A work in a non-HPE switch?
The JL287A is HPE-coded at both ends. Host switches read 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 JL287A is identified against the HPE option label before shipping, and fibre assemblies are packed to protect the connector bodies in transit. 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.