Lenovo ThinkSystem Marvell QL41232 10/25GbE SFP28 2-Port OCP Ethernet Adapter

The Lenovo ThinkSystem Marvell QL41232 10/25GbE SFP28 2-Port OCP Ethernet Adapter is purpose-built for modern data centers that demand high-bandwidth connectivity, low latency, and flexible deployment options. Built on Marvell’s eighth-generation architecture, this adapter is optimized for demanding workloads such as virtualization, cloud services, high-performance computing, and storage networks. With Universal Remote Direct Memory Access (RDMA) support, the QL41232 enables RoCE, RoCE v2, and iWARP, allowing kernel-bypass capabilities and dramatically reducing CPU overhead while delivering consistent, low-latency networking. Available in PCIe and Open Compute Project (OCP) form factors, it offers deployment versatility for Lenovo ThinkSystem servers and other enterprise platforms, delivering reliable performance in dense data-center environments. Whether you’re building a new data center, upgrading an existing rack, or accelerating a virtualization stack, the QL41232 is engineered to meet today’s and tomorrow’s networking requirements with confidence.

• High-performance dual-port 10/25 GbE SFP28 network adapter designed for density and speed, enabling rapid data transfers and seamless convergence of storage, compute, and networking resources in data centers and enterprise environments.
• Universal RDMA support across RoCE, RoCE v2, and iWARP, delivering kernel-bypass capabilities that minimize CPU overhead, reduce latency, and improve application response times for latency-sensitive workloads such as databases, HPC clusters, and real-time analytics.
• Flexible form factors with both PCIe and Open Compute Project (OCP) options, allowing deployment in a wide range of Lenovo ThinkSystem servers and other enterprise platforms while maintaining a consistent feature set and performance profile.
• Optimized for virtualization and multi-tenant environments, enabling efficient VM mobility, high-performance virtual networks, and scalable throughput through hardware-assisted offloads and robust RDMA features that support modern virtualization stacks.
• Reliably designed for data-center use, with rigorous testing and certification to ensure compatibility with enterprise-grade networking equipment, simplified management, and predictable performance in congested networks and mixed-workload scenarios.

Technical Details of Lenovo ThinkSystem Marvell QL41232 10/25GbE SFP28 2-Port OCP Ethernet Adapter

• Model: ThinkSystem QL41232
• Network speeds: 10/25 GbE
• Ports: 2 x SFP28 connectors for flexible copper or fiber connections depending on transceivers used
• Form factors: PCIe and Open Compute Project (OCP) Ethernet Adapter
• RDMA capability: Universal RDMA with support for RoCE, RoCE v2, and iWARP
• Marvell generation: Eighth-generation technology powering robust performance and efficient data handling
• Target environments: Data centers, Lenovo ThinkSystem servers, virtualization-heavy deployments, cloud infrastructure, and HPC workloads
• Key benefits: Low latency, reduced CPU overhead, high throughput, and flexible deployment options to fit diverse infrastructure needs

How to install Lenovo ThinkSystem QL41232 10/25GbE SFP28 2-Port OCP Ethernet Adapter

• Prepare the server: Power down the system, unplug from power, and discharge any static electricity before handling internal components.
• Choose the correct slot: For PCIe installations, locate a suitable PCIe slot with adequate bandwidth. For OCP deployments, follow Lenovo’s OCP installation guidelines to secure the adapter into the designated OCP slot.
• Insert the card: Carefully align the adapter with the slot and firmly but gently press until it seats securely. Use the retention screw or mechanism to lock the card in place as required by the chassis.
• Connect SFP28 transceivers and cables: Attach the appropriate SFP28 optical or copper transceivers to the two ports and run the corresponding cables to your network fabric, ensuring proper link negotiation and cable integrity.
• Install drivers and firmware: Power up the server and install the latest Lenovo-supported drivers and firmware for the QL41232. This ensures optimal RDMA functionality, performance tuning, and compatibility with your operating system and virtualization stack.
• Verify operation: Check the operating system’s network interface listings, verify link status on both ports, and run basic throughput and latency tests to confirm RDMA and regular networking performance align with your expectations.

Frequently asked questions

• What is the Lenovo ThinkSystem QL41232? The QL41232 is a dual-port 10/25 GbE SFP28 Ethernet adapter in both PCIe and OCP form factors, designed for modern data centers. It features Universal RDMA support for RoCE, RoCE v2, and iWARP to enable low-latency, CPU-efficient networking in demanding workloads.
• What speeds and ports does it support? It provides two SFP28 ports capable of 10 or 25 gigabits per second, enabling flexible deployment of 10 GbE and 25 GbE connections depending on the network fabric and transceivers used.
• Which RDMA protocols are supported? The adapter supports Universal RDMA with RoCE, RoCE v2, and iWARP, offering kernel-bypass networking options to minimize CPU overhead and reduce latencies for critical applications.
• What form factors are available? The QL41232 is offered in both PCIe and Open Compute Project (OCP) Ethernet Adapter formats, giving data centers flexibility to accommodate a variety of server configurations and installation footprints.
• Is this adapter suitable for virtualization and cloud workloads? Yes. With RDMA offloads, low latency networking, and dual-port scalability, the QL41232 is well-suited for virtualization environments, dense cloud deployments, and HPC workflows that demand fast, reliable network performance with efficient CPU usage.