HPE X2A0 JL291A — 10G SFP+ to SFP+ Active Optical Cable, 10m
Technical Identity
The HPE JL291A is a 10 m active optical cable (AOC) with an SFP+ connector at each end, part of the HPE X2A0 active optical cable family used across HPE and Aruba switching. It carries 10 Gb/s Ethernet on a single lane 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: JL291A
Product type: Active optical cable (AOC)
Product family: HPE X2A0 active optical cable
Connector: SFP+ to SFP+
Configuration: 1-to-1 point-to-point, no breakout
Speed: 10 Gb/s Ethernet
Length: 10 m
Protocol: Ethernet
Medium: Multimode fibre with integrated optics at both ends
Modulation: 10G-NRZ
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 JL291A 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 10G equivalents sit in the HPE X240 family, such as JG081C.
NOT a transceiver with a detachable patch cord. The optics are permanently terminated and the 10 m length is fixed. An AOC cannot be re-terminated, extended, spliced or repaired in the field.
NOT a 25GbE SFP28 cable. The JL291A is SFP+ at 10 Gb/s NRZ. An SFP28 port will not negotiate 25GbE over this assembly.
NOT a QSFP+ or QSFP28 cable. Both ends are SFP+, single-lane. QSFP-family cages carry four or more lanes and are physically larger.
NOT a 1GbE SFP cable. The JL291A operates at 10 Gb/s; 1GbE fallback is not a supported mode.
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 — JL292A is the 20 m variant of the same 10G SFP+ AOC. Confirm the P/N before ordering.
Compatibility & Hard Constraints
Typical intended platforms include: HPE and Aruba switches with SFP+ ports across the FlexFabric, 5900, 5700, 5400R and Aruba 8320 / 8325 / 6300 lines, plus HPE server adapters with SFP+ 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 SFP+ ports configured for 10GbE. Do not pair with an SFP28 port expecting 25GbE.
Reach: 10 m — an inter-rack or in-row run, beyond the practical passive copper limit for 10GbE at reasonable cable gauge.
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 JL291A?
The HPE JL291A is a 10 m active optical cable with SFP+ connectors on both ends, carrying 10 Gb/s Ethernet over multimode fibre, from the HPE X2A0 family.
Q. Is the JL291A copper or optical?
Optical. The JL291A is an active optical cable with integrated transmit and receive optics at both ends, which is how it reaches 10 m. The passive copper 10G equivalents are in the HPE X240 family.
Q. Can the fibre or connectors on the JL291A be replaced?
No. The optics are permanently terminated and the 10 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 JL291A be used at 25GbE?
No. The JL291A is a 10G SFP+ assembly using 10G-NRZ signalling. 25GbE requires an SFP28-rated cable, and an SFP28 port will not negotiate 25GbE over this assembly.
Q. How does JL291A differ from JL292A?
Length only. The JL291A is the 10 m variant and JL292A is the 20 m variant of the same HPE X2A0 10G SFP+ active optical cable.
Q. Will the JL291A work in a non-HPE switch?
The JL291A 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 JL291A 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.