Lenovo 4M17A13529 10/25GbE iSCSI SFP+ Network Module

Overview

The Lenovo 4M17A13529 is an SFP28 plug-in module that brings 10/25 Gigabit Ethernet iSCSI connectivity over optical fiber to Lenovo ThinkSystem DE-series network storage arrays. If you're running a DE4000F, DE4000H, DE6000F, or DE6000H array and need a high-bandwidth block-storage fabric that doesn't bottleneck your SSD or hybrid tiers, this is the module that slots in directly — no adapter shelf, no external transceiver cage required.

The form factor is a standard SFP28 plug-in, meaning it drops into any SFP28-capable host bus adapter or switch port. At 25GbE line rate, a single link delivers roughly 2.5GB/s sustained throughput — enough to saturate a DE4000F all-flash array across a single initiator path without hitting a transport ceiling first.

Key Features

• Dual-rate 10/25GbE operation: The module auto-negotiates between 10GbE and 25GbE, so you can deploy it today against existing 10GbE infrastructure and step up to 25GbE when your switch or HBA supports it — no module swap required at upgrade time. For most storage teams, that's a meaningful insurance policy on the capital spend.
• iSCSI interface: iSCSI presents block storage over standard IP networks, which means your SAN fabric runs on commodity Ethernet switches and infrastructure your team already manages. Compared to Fibre Channel, iSCSI cuts both the learning curve and the dedicated-fabric licensing costs — relevant when you're scaling a network-attached storage tier on a fixed budget.
• SFP28 form factor: The plug-in module format means the transceiver installs and removes without powering down the array — useful in multi-path configurations where you can fail over a path, hot-swap, and restore redundancy without a maintenance window.
• Optical fiber media: Optical fiber carries the signal over distances that copper DAC cables can't reach — typically 100m+ with OM4 multimode or 10km+ with single-mode, depending on the paired transceiver. In data centers where the storage array and compute rack aren't adjacent, fiber is the correct medium choice.
• Verified DE-series compatibility: The 4M17A13529 is specifically validated for the DE4000F 2U24 SFF (all-flash), DE4000H Hybrid 2U12 LFF, DE6000F 2U24 SFF (all-flash), and DE6000H Hybrid 4U60 SFF arrays. Verified platform compatibility from Lenovo's own specification sheet means no guesswork on firmware interop or support eligibility.
• 1x iSCSI port per module: Each 4M17A13529 provides a single iSCSI interface. Multi-path iSCSI configurations — standard practice for redundancy — require one module per path, so plan your slot count accordingly at procurement time.

Integration & Compatibility

This module is designed for the Lenovo ThinkSystem DE-series storage array line. Confirmed compatible platforms include:

• DE4000F 2U24 SFF — all-flash, 2U 24-bay small form factor
• DE4000H Hybrid 2U12 LFF — hybrid flash/disk, 2U 12-bay large form factor
• DE6000F 2U24 SFF — all-flash, 2U 24-bay small form factor
• DE6000H Hybrid 4U60 SFF — hybrid flash/disk, 4U 60-bay small form factor

The SFP28 interface is backward-compatible with SFP+ ports at 10GbE speeds, giving you flexibility in switch fabric planning. For multi-path iSCSI — which Lenovo and most enterprise storage best-practice guides recommend for production workloads — you'll need one module installed per active data path. Pair the 4M17A13529 with an SFP28-capable HBA on the host side and an appropriate optical transceiver matched to your fiber plant (OM3/OM4 multimode for in-rack or in-row runs; single-mode for cross-building spans).

Frequently Asked Questions

Q: Which Lenovo storage arrays is the 4M17A13529 compatible with?

A: The 4M17A13529 is validated for four Lenovo ThinkSystem DE-series arrays: the DE4000F 2U24 SFF (all-flash), DE4000H Hybrid 2U12 LFF, DE6000F 2U24 SFF (all-flash), and DE6000H Hybrid 4U60 SFF. It is not listed for use outside the DE-series platform.

Q: Does the 4M17A13529 support both 10GbE and 25GbE?

A: Yes. The module is rated for 10/25GbE dual-rate operation, so it will negotiate to 10GbE on legacy SFP+ infrastructure and step up to 25GbE when paired with SFP28-capable switches and host bus adapters.

Q: What media type does the 4M17A13529 require?

A: The module uses optical fiber. You will need an appropriate fiber optic cable and a compatible optical transceiver matched to your fiber plant (multimode OM3/OM4 for short runs, single-mode for longer distances). Copper DAC cables are not supported by this module.

Q: How many iSCSI ports does a single 4M17A13529 provide?

A: One iSCSI port per module. For multi-path iSCSI configurations — which are standard practice in production storage deployments — you will need one module per active path.

Q: Is this module hot-swappable?

A: The SFP28 plug-in form factor is designed for hot insertion and removal from compatible slots. However, always verify the specific maintenance procedures in the Lenovo ThinkSystem array documentation for your platform before swapping under load.

Marty Allison

The 4M17A13529 is a straightforward procurement when you're building out iSCSI paths on a DE-series array — its dual-rate 10/25GbE design is the spec that matters most for future-proofing. If you're commissioning a DE6000H at 10GbE today with a 25GbE switch refresh on a two-year horizon, this module won't force a hardware revisit when that switch arrives.

Technical Highlights:

• Dual-rate 10/25GbE: Negotiates to the highest common speed between the module and the connected switch port — install once, run at 10GbE, re-negotiate to 25GbE (~2.5GB/s line rate) when the fabric is upgraded. No module swap at transition.
• iSCSI over optical fiber: iSCSI keeps your SAN on standard IP infrastructure; optical fiber removes the distance constraints that copper DAC cables impose. In a data center where arrays and compute are separated by more than a few meters of structured cabling, fiber is the correct call.
• SFP28 plug-in form factor: Hot-swappable from the array's module slot, which means path maintenance in a dual-path config doesn't require a full storage outage — fail over to the surviving path, swap, restore.

Deployment Considerations:

• Each module provides a single iSCSI port. A two-path MPIO configuration requires two 4M17A13529 modules — budget slot count accordingly, especially on the DE4000F and DE6000F all-flash platforms where maximum throughput benefits most from dual-path iSCSI.
• The module itself handles the electrical interface; you still need to select and source a separate optical transceiver matched to your fiber type (OM3/OM4 multimode for in-row runs up to ~100m, single-mode if you're spanning buildings). The transceiver is not included.

Best fit for DE4000F or DE6000F all-flash deployments where transport throughput would otherwise become the performance ceiling — and for shops that need a clear, no-swap upgrade path from a 10GbE fabric to 25GbE within a predictable refresh cycle.