Dell QLogic 2692 Dual Port 16GbE Fibre Channel HBA – PCIe Full Height (V2)

The Dell QLogic 2692 Dual Port 16GbE Fibre Channel HBA is engineered for enterprise data centers that demand rock-solid storage connectivity, exceptional performance, and streamlined management. Designed as a full-height PCIe host bus adapter, this V2 card delivers dual 16Gb Fibre Channel ports that connect servers to high-speed SANs with low latency and robust reliability. Whether you are expanding your storage fabrics, updating legacy infrastructure, or deploying dense virtualization environments, the Dell QLogic 2692 helps you maximize I/O throughput, optimize power efficiency, and simplify administration with enterprise-grade features and Dell’s trusted support ecosystem.

• Dual-port 16Gb Fibre Channel performance: Each port operates at 16Gbps line-rate with low-latency data transfer, delivering consistent I/O performance for demanding storage workloads. This dual-port design provides redundancy and load-balancing capabilities across your fabric, enabling higher aggregate throughput for databases, VMware clusters, and large-scale backups. The architecture is optimized to handle I/O-intensive operations, reducing bottlenecks and improving application response times in virtualized and physical environments alike.
• Enterprise-grade reliability and management: The QLogic 2692 brings advanced management features that streamline deployment and ongoing administration. With Dell’s management tools and QLogic software, administrators gain centralized visibility into adapter status, firmware versions, and fabric zoning. The result is fewer manual interventions, faster fault isolation, and smarter firmware updates that keep your SAN running with minimal downtime. Optimized drivers across major operating systems further enhance stability and compatibility in heterogeneous data centers.
• PCIe Full Height form factor, V2 readiness: This device is built for servers with full-height PCIe slots, offering a robust hardware path that suits dense data-center racks and blade servers. The V2 designation reflects ongoing improvements in firmware, performance tuning, and compatibility, ensuring the card remains a dependable component as storage networks evolve. Its PCIe interface is designed to maximize bandwidth while maintaining power efficiency for sustained enterprise workloads.
• Broad OS and virtualization compatibility: The Dell QLogic 2692 is engineered to work across a wide array of platforms, including popular Linux distributions, Windows Server, VMware, and other hypervisors. This broad compatibility makes it easier to consolidate storage fabrics in mixed environments, reduce driver friction, and simplify asset management. Enterprises can deploy this HBA with confidence, knowing it integrates smoothly with existing SAN fabrics and storage arrays from Dell and third-party vendors.
• Seamless integration with Dell EMC storage ecosystems: As part of Dell’s SAN solution family, the QLogic 2692 is crafted to harmonize with Dell EMC storage arrays and fabric fabrics. The card helps streamline zoning, LUN provisioning, and path failover, delivering a cohesive storage experience from the server to the storage array. These integrations translate to faster provisioning cycles, improved data protection, and a cleaner, more manageable SAN environment for growing workloads.

Technical Details of Dell QLogic 2692 Dual Port 16GbE Fibre Channel HBA

• Product: Dell QLogic 2692 Dual Port 16Gb Fibre Channel HBA
• Form Factor: PCIe HBA, Full Height
• Ports: 2 x 16Gb Fibre Channel ports
• Interface: PCIe (Gen 2/Gen 3 capable design depending on system compatibility) with rugged, enterprise-grade firmware
• Throughput: 16Gbps per port, with efficient buffering and low-latency I/O for SAN workloads
• Features: Dual-port redundancy, hot-plug capable design, broad OS driver support, and vendor-provided management utilities
• Compatibility: Optimized for Dell servers and compatible with major virtualization platforms and operating systems

how to install Dell QLogic 2692 Dual Port 16GbE Fibre Channel HBA

• Power down the server and disconnect from the power source. Remove any remaining power or standby hazards to ensure safe installation.
• Open the server chassis and locate an available full-height PCIe slot. If necessary, remove the slot cover to accommodate the adapter’s form factor and ensure proper airflow.
• Insert the Dell QLogic 2692 firmly into the PCIe slot until it seats with a secure connection. Use a retaining screw to fasten the bracket to the chassis to prevent movement during operation.
• Connect two Fibre Channel cables to the dual ports on the HBA, routing them according to your SAN topology and zoning requirements. Ensure you are using compatible SAN cables and appropriate optical transceivers if required.
• Power up the server, install the appropriate drivers or firmware from Dell/QLogic sources, and verify adapter recognition in the operating system. Complete any recommended firmware updates, then configure zoning, mask policies, and path priorities within the SAN management tools or hypervisor storage configuration.

Frequently asked questions

• What does the Dell QLogic 2692 do? It is a dual-port 16Gb Fibre Channel HBA designed to connect servers to Fibre Channel storage networks, delivering high-speed, reliable SAN performance with flexible management capabilities.
• What platforms are supported? It supports a broad range of operating systems and virtualization platforms, including Windows Server, Linux distributions (such as RHEL and SUSE), VMware ESXi, and other common hypervisors, with vendor-provided drivers and firmware updates.
• What performance can I expect? Each Fibre Channel port delivers up to 16Gbps line-rate throughput, providing ample bandwidth for databases, virtual machine storage, backups, and large-scale file systems. Real-world performance depends on fabric configuration, zoning, and storage array capabilities.
• IsNPIV supported? Yes, many QLogic-based HBAs support NPIV to allow virtual machines to present multiple N_ports to a single HBA. Verify the exact firmware and driver capabilities in your environment.
• Do I need Dell-specific drivers? The HBA is compatible with Dell-provided QLogic drivers as well as OS-native FC drivers; for optimal management and updates, Dell’s software suite is recommended, especially in Dell-centric data centers.