Lenovo ThinkSystem DE4000 HIC: 16Gb FC / 10GbE, 4 Ports

The Lenovo ThinkSystem DE4000 HIC is a four-port host interface card that delivers enterprise-class Fibre Channel and 10 Gigabit Ethernet connectivity for Lenovo ThinkSystem storage environments. With per-port speeds of 16 Gbit/s for Fibre Channel and flexible support for 10 GbE networking, this HIC is engineered to maximize storage throughput, minimize latency, and simplify the networking topology required to run demanding databases, virtualization environments, and large-scale backup operations. Designed for data-centers and mission-critical workloads, it enables efficient consolidation of storage traffic while maintaining the reliability and manageability Lenovo customers expect from ThinkSystem solutions.

Whether you are expanding an existing SAN, building out a new Fibre Channel fabric, or pairing Fibre Channel with IP-based storage paths, the DE4000 HIC offers a robust, scalable path forward. Its four-port configuration supports up to four Fibre Channel peripherals, enabling flexible topologies across servers and storage devices. The card’s architecture is optimized for Lenovo ThinkSystem servers, providing straightforward integration, compatibility with Lenovo’s management tools, and a path toward future-proofing your storage networking as workloads grow and virtualization demands increase. In addition to delivering high-speed SAN connectivity, the DE4000 HIC aligns with modern data-center needs for virtualization, disaster recovery, and cloud-ready architectures, helping administrators maintain peak performance while reducing downtime and operational complexity.

• Blazing-fast Fibre Channel performance: Each port operates at 16 Gbit/s, delivering up to 64 Gbit/s of aggregate Fibre Channel bandwidth across all four ports. This level of throughput is ideal for bandwidth-intensive workloads such as large database transactions, transactional systems, and virtual machines that require consistent, low-latency access to shared storage. By lowering I/O wait times and improving queue depth, the DE4000 HIC helps ensure predictable application response times even under heavy load.
• Flexible 4-port topology: The card is designed to support up to four Fibre Channel peripherals, with compatibility for high-speed Fibre Channel fabrics and the option to pair with 10 GbE networking in chosen deployments. This flexibility enables SAN consolidation, easy tiering, and efficient disaster-recovery configurations, letting administrators tailor the network path to meet the specific needs of virtualized environments, cores, and storage backends without procuring separate adapters for each path.
• Enterprise reliability and manageability: Built for data-center-grade operation, the DE4000 HIC supports hot-swapping in supported systems, robust error detection, and seamless firmware and driver updates. It integrates with Lenovo’s management ecosystem, giving IT teams a familiar administration model for monitoring health, configuring zones, and performing routine maintenance. This reliability translates into higher system uptime, simpler change management, and reduced risk during peak business cycles.
• Seamless ThinkSystem integration: Optimized for Lenovo ThinkSystem servers and storage arrays, the HIC works within Lenovo’s validated interoperability framework. Expect straightforward cabling with SFP+ transceivers for Fibre Channel, clear port mapping in system BIOS or firmware, and compatibility with common Lenovo storage management tools. The result is a cohesive, scalable storage networking solution that blends into existing ThinkSystem environments with minimal friction and a clear upgrade path as your data demands evolve.
• Future-proof scalability: With four high-bandwidth ports and support for current storage networking standards, this HIC is designed to scale with growing data centers. You can expand your SAN footprint, accommodate more hosts, and handle increasing data movement without swapping adapters or rearchitecting your storage fabric. This makes the DE4000 HIC a prudent long-term investment for organizations pursuing virtualization, large-scale backups, and consolidated storage architectures in Lenovo ecosystems.

Technical Details of Lenovo ThinkSystem DE4000 HIC, 16Gb FC/10GbE, 4 Ports

• Ports: 4 x high-speed Fibre Channel ports capable of 16 Gbit/s per port; supports flexible topology and combined with optional 10 Gbit/s networking per deployment
• Interface: PCIe 3.0 x8 host bus adapter, designed for reliable performance in standard Lenovo ThinkSystem servers
• Form Factor: Standard PCIe HBA card suitable for half-height/low-profile server slots, with secure mounting and optimized air flow
• Compatibility: Validated for Lenovo ThinkSystem DE series storage environments and related ThinkSystem hardware, ensuring smooth interoperability
• Management: Compatible with common management interfaces, drivers, and Lenovo’s storage administration tools across Windows and Linux
• Power and Cooling: Engineered for data-center-grade operation with conventional power envelopes and thermal design compatible with enterprise rack environments

How to install Lenovo ThinkSystem DE4000 HIC, 16Gb FC/10GbE, 4 Ports

Installing the DE4000 HIC is designed to be straightforward for IT professionals familiar with server hardware. Follow these steps to add the card to a compatible Lenovo ThinkSystem server and bring it into service with minimal disruption to running workloads.

• Power down the server, unplug the power cords, and ground yourself to prevent ESD before handling internal components.
• Open the chassis and locate an available PCIe slot that supports a high-density HBA. Remove the slot cover if needed and prepare the area for card insertion.
• Insert the DE4000 HIC firmly into the PCIe slot, ensuring the connector is fully seated and the card aligns with the slot. Secure the card to the chassis with a screw to prevent movement.
• Attach Fibre Channel cables to the appropriate ports, using SFP+ transceivers as required by your fabric. If your deployment also includes 10 GbE networking, connect the Ethernet paths according to your topology and cabling standards.
• Power on the server, then install or update the drivers and firmware for the DE4000 HIC as recommended by Lenovo. Verify that the operating system detects the new HBA, and confirm that all ports report an online status. Perform a basic fabric test to validate connectivity to the storage targets.
• Configure your storage zoning, LUN visibility, and multipathing policies through your preferred management tools. Validate performance with representative workloads and adjust queue depths or path policies if necessary to optimize latency and throughput.

Frequently asked questions

• Q: What workloads is the DE4000 HIC best suited for? A: The DE4000 HIC is designed for enterprise SAN connectivity with Fibre Channel and optional 10 GbE networking. It is ideal for databases, virtualization environments, backups, disaster recovery, and large-file workloads within Lenovo ThinkSystem ecosystems, providing high bandwidth and reliable access to shared storage.
• Q: How many ports does this card have and what speeds do they support? A: The card features four ports. Each Fibre Channel port supports 16 Gbit/s speed, delivering substantial aggregate bandwidth for demanding workloads. Depending on deployment, some configurations may support 10 GbE networking as part of the same card topology.
• Q: Is this card compatible with all ThinkSystem servers? A: The DE4000 HIC is designed for Lenovo ThinkSystem servers and storage systems. It is recommended to verify compatibility against Lenovo’s official interoperability guides for your specific server model and storage array.
• Q: What cables and transceivers are required? A: Typically, SFP+ transceivers are needed for Fibre Channel connections, and appropriate Ethernet transceivers or copper/fiber cables are used for 10 GbE paths, depending on your network design. Always follow your fabric and topology requirements during installation.
• Q: How do I manage and update the DE4000 HIC? A: You should use Lenovo-supported management tools and drivers. Firmware and driver updates are provided through Lenovo's support channels, with documentation outlining installation steps, compatibility notes, and best practices for maintaining SAN performance and reliability.
• Q: What kind of uptime or warranty comes with this card? A: Lenovo typically provides standard warranty coverage for ThinkSystem components, including HICs, with options for extended support. For exact terms, refer to your product’s warranty documentation and your regional Lenovo support agreement.