Lenovo Flex System CN4054S 4-Port 10Gb Virtual Fabric Adapter SW Upgrade (FoD)

Upgrade your Lenovo Flex System networking with the CN4054S 4-Port 10Gb Virtual Fabric Adapter SW Upgrade (FoD). This high-performance plug-in PCI Express 3.0 x8 card delivers four 10 Gb Ethernet channels, optimized for virtualized data centers, storage networks, and converged infrastructures. Designed for fast deployment and simple management, the CN4054S provides the essential capabilities to scale throughput, consolidate fabric traffic, and enable flexible virtualization features without disrupting your operations. Whether you’re refreshing legacy fabrics or expanding a converged storage environment, this SW upgrade helps you unlock new levels of efficiency and control in Lenovo Flex System environments.

• 4 x 10 Gb Ethernet ports deliver high-speed connectivity for demanding workloads. Each port supports full line-rate performance, enabling low-latency virtual machines, fast data transfers, and robust storage networking across your data center. This four-port configuration helps you scale up to accommodate growing virtualization and database needs while maintaining predictable performance.
• Virtual Fabric technology enables network segmentation and virtualization across your fabric. By creating multiple virtual NICs (vNICs) from the physical ports, you can isolate workloads, apply QoS, and simplify management, improving throughput efficiency and resource utilization in crowded virtualized environments.
• FCoE support (Fibre Channel over Ethernet) allows converged storage networking on a single Ethernet fabric. This simplifies storage connectivity to compatible arrays, reduces cabling, and optimizes I/O paths for mixed workloads that combine compute and storage traffic, making it ideal for storage-intensive applications and virtualization platforms.
• PCI Express 3.0 x8 interface provides a wide, low-latency path between the host system and the adapter. The x8 bandwidth supports high data throughput, enabling consistent performance for network-intensive workloads, virtual switches, and storage traffic without introducing bottlenecks in the fabric.
• FoD (Firmware on Demand) SW upgrade enables feature licensing and streamlined deployment within Lenovo Flex System ecosystems. This upgrade model allows you to activate new capabilities with minimal downtime, while keeping firmware and driver updates aligned with Lenovo’s validated release cadence for reliability and security.

Technical Details of Lenovo Flex System CN4054S 4-Port 10Gb Virtual Fabric Adapter SW Upgrade (FoD)

• Form factor: PCI Express 3.0 x8 plug-in card designed for Lenovo Flex System chassis.
• Interface: PCIe 3.0 x8 provides a high-bandwidth connection between host and adapter.
• Ports: 4 x 10 Gb Ethernet ports delivering scalable, high-throughput networking for virtualized workloads and storage traffic.
• FCoE support: Fibre Channel over Ethernet capable, enabling converged storage networks over the same fabric used for data traffic.
• Bandwidth: Up to 8000 MB/s aggregate bandwidth across all ports, with performance depending on configuration and network topology.
• Upgrade type: FoD (Firmware on Demand) SW upgrade to enable licensed features and simplify deployment within the Lenovo Flex System environment.
• Compatibility: Specifically designed for Lenovo Flex System CN4054S servers and compatible chassis, with validation through Lenovo management tools.

how to install Lenovo Flex System CN4054S 4-Port 10Gb Virtual Fabric Adapter SW Upgrade (FoD)

Step 1: Power down the Lenovo Flex System chassis and unplug from power. Ground yourself to prevent static discharge, and verify you have a clean, static-free workspace ready for hardware installation.

Step 2: Open the chassis access panel and locate an available PCIe slot that supports a PCIe 3.0 x8 device. Confirm there is physical clearance for the CN4054S card and that no neighboring components are obstructing installation.

Step 3: Remove the card from its protective packaging and align it with the PCIe slot. Gently insert the CN4054S into the slot until it is seated firmly. Secure the card with the appropriate mounting screw to ensure it remains stable during operation.

Step 4: Connect any required network cables to the four 10 Gb Ethernet ports, following your fabric design and storage network topology. For FCoE deployments, connect to your converged storage fabric as recommended by your storage administrator and Lenovo documentation.

Step 5: Reassemble the chassis cover, reconnect power, and boot the system. Use Lenovo System Update or your preferred management tool to install the latest driver and firmware updates for the CN4054S. If your deployment requires the FoD upgrade, activate the license to enable the virtual fabric features and ensure proper integration with your management console.

Step 6: Verify the adapter is detected in the Lenovo management environment. Create virtual fabrics (vNICs), assign VLANs as needed, and test connectivity to both compute hosts and storage targets. Validate performance with representative workloads to confirm that throughput meets your expectations for virtualized environments.

Frequently asked questions

• Q: What is Lenovo Flex System CN4054S?

  A: The CN4054S is a 4-port 10 Gb Virtual Fabric Adapter designed for Lenovo Flex System. It provides high-speed networking, supports virtual fabric virtualization, and integrates with converged storage options to optimize data-center performance.

• Q: Does the CN4054S support FCoE?

  A: Yes. The CN4054S is capable of Fibre Channel over Ethernet (FCoE), enabling storage connectivity over the same Ethernet fabric used for data traffic and helping to consolidate network and storage cabling where appropriate.

• Q: What does FoD stand for?

  A: FoD stands for Firmware on Demand. This SW upgrade model allows feature licensing and streamlined deployment within Lenovo Flex System, helping you activate new capabilities with minimal downtime.

• Q: What is the maximum bandwidth of the CN4054S?

  A: The adapter provides four 10 Gb Ethernet ports with an aggregate bandwidth of up to approximately 8000 MB/s, dependent on configuration, workload, and network topology.

• Q: How do I install and activate the CN4054S?

  A: Install the card in a PCIe x8 slot, connect the appropriate cables, power on the system, and use Lenovo System Update or your management tool to install drivers and firmware. If you are applying the FoD upgrade, ensure the license is activated to enable the full feature set.