Lenovo ThinkSystem 810-4P NVMe Switch Adapter

The Lenovo ThinkSystem 810-4P NVMe Switch Adapter is a high-performance PCIe 3.0 switch card designed to unlock the full potential of NVMe storage inside Lenovo ThinkSystem servers. Built around the Broadcom PEX9733 chipset, this adapter delivers a PCIe 3.0 x8 host interface that feeds four independent PCIe x4 paths, providing direct NVMe connectivity to up to four drives. The result is dramatically higher bandwidth, ultra-low latency, and predictable IOPS for storage-intensive workloads. Whether you’re running virtualized environments, large databases, analytics pipelines, or AI workloads, the 810-4P gives you scalable storage acceleration without compromising server density. It’s the kind of card that helps data centers push the limits of performance while keeping management simple through Lenovo’s ecosystem and enterprise-grade reliability.

• High-speed architecture and scalable performance: The adapter leverages the Broadcom PEX9733 PCIe switch with a PCIe 3.0 x8 host interface to deliver robust, predictable bandwidth across four NVMe endpoints. This design minimizes bottlenecks between the processor, memory, and storage, enabling sustained throughput for demanding workloads like online transaction processing, real-time analytics, and high-IO virtualization. With PCIe 3.0 foundations and lane allocation optimized for NVMe traffic, you gain the bandwidth you need for large sequential transfers and rapid random IO with reduced latency.
• Quad NVMe connectivity for maximum parallelism: Four PCIe x4 connections provide dedicated lanes to four NVMe drives, enabling true parallelism across multiple storage devices. This multi-endpoint approach reduces contention, improves queue depth handling, and increases aggregate IOPS, which translates to faster database queries, quicker VM load times, and snappier data-rich workloads. The four independent paths help sustain performance as workloads scale, without sacrificing latency or responsiveness.
• Dense, simple internal wiring: Four Mini-SAS HD x4 (SFF-8643) internal connectors offer a compact, high-density solution for drive wiring inside ThinkSystem servers. This design simplifies cabling, improves airflow, and minimizes space consumption within the server chassis. The internal connectors are engineered for reliability in enterprise environments, ensuring stable operation under continuous heavy I/O loads.
• Enterprise-grade reliability and seamless management: Built for Lenovo ThinkSystem servers, the 810-4P is designed to integrate smoothly with Lenovo management tooling and firmware ecosystems. It supports Lenovo XClarity and other enterprise-management workflows, enabling centralized monitoring, firmware updates, and health checks. This tight integration helps reduce maintenance overhead while delivering the performance and predictability critical for data center operations.
• Ideal for data-intensive workloads and scalable storage expansion: This switch adapter is well suited for high-performance databases, virtualization clusters, AI data pipelines, and analytics workloads that demand reliable NVMe throughput. By adding four NVMe connections in a single PCIe card, you can expand storage capacity and performance density without adding multiple controllers or complex multi-card configurations. It’s a practical, future-proof path to scale storage alongside CPU and memory, delivering a compelling total-cost-of-ownership advantage for enterprise environments.

Technical Details of Lenovo ThinkSystem 810-4P NVMe Switch Adapter

• Chipset: Broadcom PEX9733
• Host interface: PCIe 3.0 x8
• NVMe drive connections: Four PCIe x4 endpoints for NVMe drives
• Internal connectors: Four Mini-SAS HD x4 (SFF-8643)
• Form factor: PCIe add-in card designed for ThinkSystem servers

How to Install Lenovo ThinkSystem 810-4P NVMe Switch Adapter

To install the 810-4P NVMe Switch Adapter in a compatible Lenovo ThinkSystem server, follow these steps. Always observe proper electrostatic discharge (ESD) precautions and your organization’s safety policies when handling components.

• Power down the server, unplug from power, and ground yourself before handling components.
• Open the chassis and locate an appropriate PCIe expansion slot capable of supporting a PCIe x8 device.
• Remove the slot cover and align the 810-4P with the slot. Firmly insert the adapter until it seats securely, then fasten the bracket with the designated screw.
• Route and connect the four Mini-SAS HD x4 (SFF-8643) cables to the four NVMe drives you intend to attach, ensuring correct orientation and secure latching to prevent disconnects during operation.
• Power on the server and enter the BIOS/UEFI to verify that the adapter is detected. If available, load or update the firmware for the adapter to ensure compatibility with the server’s firmware baseline.
• Boot the operating system and use Lenovo XClarity or your preferred management interface to confirm the four NVMe paths are visible. Create or adjust storage pools, namespaces, or RAID/RAID-like configurations according to your workload requirements and performance objectives.

Frequently asked questions

• Q: What is the Lenovo ThinkSystem 810-4P NVMe Switch Adapter? A: It is a PCIe 3.0 switch card for ThinkSystem servers that provides four NVMe drive connections via four PCIe x4 endpoints and four internal SFF-8643 cables, enabling high-density NVMe storage expansion.
• Q: How many NVMe drives can it connect? A: Four NVMe drives can be connected through four dedicated PCIe x4 paths on supported ThinkSystem servers.
• Q: Which servers support this adapter? A: It is designed for Lenovo ThinkSystem servers that offer PCIe expansion slots compatible with this adapter. Always consult Lenovo’s official compatibility lists for model-specific support and firmware requirements.
• Q: Is this adapter hot-swappable? A: The adapter is installed like other PCIe add-in cards in a server chassis. Hot-swappability depends on the server model, chassis design, and maintenance policies. Check your server’s maintenance manual for hot-swap guidance.
• Q: What performance benefits does it offer? A: The four NVMe paths provide high parallelism and low latency, increasing aggregate IOPS and sustained throughput for data-intensive workloads such as databases, virtualization, and analytics, while reducing storage bottlenecks in dense server configurations.