The IBM 2863-2042 (2863-2042 - IBM 3.3ft Fibre Channel Cable for System Storage EXN2000 FC Expansion Unit) is a Cables & Adapters component engineered for sustained enterprise-class workloads. Manufactured to OEM specifications and tested for compatibility with IBM System x and Power Systems server platforms, this part addresses common procurement scenarios where exact-match replacement, capacity expansion, or new-build deployment is required. Technical specifications include interface of Fibre Channel, range of 3 ft. Common deployment scenarios include enterprise data-center, server-room, and managed-service-provider environments where matched-OEM-part procurement is required for warranty and compliance continuity. Pro Disk Network sources the 2863-2042 through reputable distribution channels and applies a verification check against the OEM compatibility matrix before each unit is added to active inventory. Listed compatibility: System Storage EXN2000. Cross-verify against the OEM compatibility matrix before deployment for production workloads. Each unit ships from a US fulfillment hub (Hillsboro OR, Atlanta GA, or Phoenix AZ) with same-day dispatch on in-stock orders before 3pm ET. Net 30 / Net 60 terms available for qualified business, government, and education accounts. 30-day Pro Disk Network functional warranty included; free US ground shipping on orders over $150.
The 2863-2042 is a IBM cables & adapters component with interface Fibre Channel, range 3 ft. Pro Disk Network sells the 2863-2042 for $133.28 with same-day US shipping and a 30-day free return guarantee.
Reviewed By
Reviewed by:Pro Disk Network Engineering Team — . Specifications, compatibility, and pricing for the 2863-2042 verified against the manufacturer datasheet and our internal lab benchmarks.
Quick Answer: Is the 2863-2042 compatible with my switch?
Pro Disk Network validates every 2863-2042 against the target switch's published compatibility matrix before shipment. If you let us know your switch model and firmware version, we will confirm fitment and code the module appropriately (Cisco-coded, Juniper-coded, HPE-coded, etc.) at no extra charge.
How fast does the 2863-2042 ship?
2863-2042 orders placed before 2 pm ET ship the same business day from US warehouses. Delivery is next business day to most metro ZIPs via FedEx/UPS overnight; ground delivery covers remaining US in 1-4 business days.
The 2863-2042 is deployed by US enterprises, MSPs, government, and education customers across multiple infrastructure scenarios. Below are the most common deployment patterns Pro Disk Network sees in real-world orders.
Server Uplink — 10G/25G server-to-leaf uplink — pair with matching DAC or AOC at the host NIC to avoid optic mismatch.
DCI (Data Center Interconnect) — Inter-DC routing or aggregation. LR4/LR8 transceivers for 10–80 km, ER4 for 40 km, ZR4 for coherent long-haul.
Campus Distribution — Catalyst-class campus distribution between IDF and MDF closets. PoE+ where wireless APs and IP phones share infrastructure.
Branch / Edge — Smaller form-factor switches and routers for branch sites. SD-WAN-compatible or static-VPN-attached as the architecture dictates.
New, Bulk, or Refurbished — Choosing Your Tier
Pro Disk Network offers the 2863-2042 across three procurement tiers. Each tier is fully functional and warranted; the choice comes down to budget, warranty length, and whether the deployment is production-critical or capacity-expansion.
Tier
Discount vs OEM List
Warranty
Best For
New (Sealed OEM)
25–40%
IBM manufacturer warranty (1–5 yr)
Production-critical first-tier
New (Bulk OEM)
50–65%
3-year Pro Disk Network warranty
New cluster builds, secondary tier
Refurbished
75–85%
12-month advance replacement
Capacity expansion, lab, dev/test, EOL refresh
Bulk & Volume Pricing for 2863-2042
Ships from our US warehouse — same-day US dispatch on orders placed before 2pm ET. Net 30 terms available for verified businesses, government and education.
Volume discounts on the 2863-2042 are automatic at checkout. Net 30 terms available for verified businesses, government, and education. Email sales@prodisknetwork.com for orders above 100 units.
Quantity
Discount
Unit Price
1
0%
$133.28
5+
4%
$127.95
10+
8%
$122.62
25+
13%
$115.95
50+
18%
$109.29
100+
23%
$102.63
What is the 2863-2042?
The 2863-2042 is a IBM network interface module with interface Fibre Channel and range 3 ft, manufactured by IBM. Pro Disk Network ships this part new and certified-refurbished from our US warehouse with same-day dispatch on orders placed before 3 PM ET, backed by a 30-day return guarantee.
Cisco/Aruba/Juniper-compatible transceivers tested in our lab
Same-day US shipping cuts deployment downtime
Cons
Refurbished switches may show minor rack-rail wear
Power supplies sold separately on certain SKUs
Long-haul ZR4/CFP4 modules subject to export-control screening
Frequently Asked Questions about 2863-2042
Is the 2863-2042 a genuine IBM part?
Yes. Pro Disk Network sources every 2863-2042 as factory-original IBM inventory verified against the manufacturer parts registry before listing. New units arrive sealed in OEM packaging; refurbished units are pulled from decommissioned IBM servers, surface-tested, and re-warranted by Pro Disk Network for 12 months.
Is the 2863-2042 compatible with my switch?
Pro Disk Network validates every 2863-2042 against the target switch's published compatibility matrix before shipment. If you let us know your switch model and firmware version, we will confirm fitment and code the module appropriately (Cisco-coded, Juniper-coded, HPE-coded, etc.) at no extra charge.
How fast does the 2863-2042 ship?
2863-2042 orders placed before 2 pm ET ship the same business day from US warehouses. Delivery is next business day to most metro ZIPs via FedEx/UPS overnight; ground delivery covers remaining US in 1-4 business days.
What is the warranty on the 2863-2042?
New 2863-2042 units carry the full IBM manufacturer warranty (typically 1 to 5 years depending on product line). Refurbished and bulk-OEM units include a Pro Disk Network advance-replacement warranty (12 months refurbished, 36 months new bulk). DOA replacement is free within 30 days of receipt.
Do you offer bulk pricing for the 2863-2042?
Yes. Pro Disk Network offers automatic volume discounts at 10, 25, 50, and 100+ unit tiers. Net 30 terms are available for verified businesses, government, and education buyers. Email sales@prodisknetwork.com with the quantity and target ship date for a quote within one business day.
Other parts that share the 2863 series prefix — useful when sourcing matched lots, hot-spare pools, or capacity-tier expansions.
2863-001 — 2863-001 - IBM 14-Slot Disk Expansion Shelf for EXN1000 System Storage — $208.42
2863-004 — 2863-004 - IBM Expansion Unit for EXN4000 System Storage — $189.47
2863-2021 — 2863-2021 - IBM Fiber Channel Expansion to Expansion Cable 0.5m Fiber Optic for Network Device 1.60 ft — $74.99
2863-2043 — 2863-2043 - IBM 2.0 m FC Optical Cable Fiber Optic for Network Device Storage Equipment 6.56 ft 2 Pack — $361.66
Pro Disk Network Buyer’s Guide: Cables & Adapters
Optic Coding, Vendor Lock-In, and Multi-Vendor Compatibility
For Cisco IOS, IOS-XE, and NX-OS switches, the 2863-2042 works out-of-box if coded for Cisco; for Aruba ArubaOS-CX, code for HPE/Aruba; for Juniper Junos, code for Juniper. Pro Disk Network confirms the target vendor coding at order time and applies it before shipping. Misordered coding can be flashed in the field but the lead time is longer than ordering correctly the first time.
Bandwidth Sizing for Spine-Leaf, EVPN-VXLAN, and Hyperconverged Storage
Document optic types and bandwidth in your network drawings: SR-SR for intra-rack, LR-LR for inter-rack and DCI, ZR4 for long-haul coherent. Mismatched optic-distance ratings is the most common cause of intermittent link errors that look like cable problems but aren't.