A 10Gb server network card is chosen first by port type: SFP+ for fiber optics or DAC cables, or 10GBASE-T for RJ45 copper. Then match the port count, the form factor your server takes (PCIe, OCP 3.0 or a vendor slot such as HPE FlexibleLOM) and the OEM part number if the server is under support.
SFP+ or 10GBASE-T?
| SFP+ | 10GBASE-T (RJ45) | |
|---|---|---|
| Cabling | Fiber with optics, or DAC/AOC cables | Twisted-pair copper (Cat6A or better for full reach) |
| Typical reach | DAC: a few meters. Fiber: 300 m (SR) to 10 km (LR) and beyond | Up to 100 m on Cat6A |
| Switch side | SFP+ switch ports | RJ45 10G or multigigabit switch ports |
| Typical use | Data center racks, top-of-rack switches | Offices, server rooms with structured copper |
Choose SFP+ when your switches have SFP+ or SFP28 ports, or when you want DAC cables inside the rack. Choose 10GBASE-T when your switches have RJ45 10G ports and you want to reuse copper cabling. For optics and DAC options, see our 10G SFP+ optics guide.
10G or 10/25G?
Many current adapters use SFP28 ports that run at 10 Gb/s or 25 Gb/s. If your switches are 10G today but may move to 25G, a 10/25G adapter avoids a second purchase later. Examples in our catalog include the Intel E810 and Broadcom 57414. SFP28 ports usually accept SFP+ optics and DACs at 10G, but check the adapter's support list.
Common 10G controllers
Intel X710
The X710 is Intel's 10G Ethernet controller behind many OEM cards in our catalog. It comes in several versions:
| Version | Ports | Connector |
|---|---|---|
| X710-DA2 | 2 | SFP+ |
| X710-DA4 | 4 | SFP+ |
| X710-T2L | 2 | RJ45 10GBASE-T |
| X710-T4L | 4 | RJ45 10GBASE-T |
Intel X550
The X550 is a 10GBASE-T controller. Our catalog lists the Lenovo X550-T1 single-port and Lenovo X550-T2 2-port PCIe adapters.
Intel E810
The E810 family runs at 10/25G on SFP28 ports, with 2-port and 4-port versions, and 100G QSFP28 versions for higher speeds.
Broadcom and NVIDIA
- Broadcom 57416: 2-port 10GBASE-T (Dell 540-BBUO).
- Broadcom 57414: 2-port 10/25GbE SFP28 (Dell 540-BDHY).
- NVIDIA ConnectX-4 Lx MCX4121A-XCAT: 2-port 10GbE on SFP28 cages, PCIe 3.0 x8.
OEM part numbers by server brand
Server brands sell these controllers under their own part numbers, with brackets and firmware for their systems. For a server under OEM support, use the OEM part.
Dell
| Part number | Card | Bracket |
|---|---|---|
| 540-BBIV | Intel X710 2-port SFP+ | Full height |
| 540-BBIX | Intel X710 2-port SFP+ | Low profile |
| 540-BCOU | Intel X710 2-port SFP+ | OCP 3.0 |
| 540-BCSC | Intel X710-T2L 2-port 10GBASE-T | Full height |
| 540-BCSE | Intel X710-T2L 2-port 10GBASE-T | Low profile |
| 540-BCSD | Intel X710-T4L 4-port 10GBASE-T | Full height |
Dell lists the X710-T2L cards for PowerEdge models including the R440, R740, R740xd, R650, R750 and R660.
HPE
| Part number | Card | Form |
|---|---|---|
| 727055-B21 | Ethernet 10Gb 2-port 562SFP+ (Intel X710) | PCIe |
| P28787-B21 | Intel X710-DA2 2-port SFP+ | PCIe |
| 727054-B21 | Ethernet 562FLR-SFP+ (Intel X710-DA2) | FlexibleLOM |
| 817749-B21 | Ethernet 640FLR-SFP28 10/25GbE | FlexibleLOM |
FlexibleLOM cards fit ProLiant servers with a FlexibleLOM slot, such as Gen10 Network Choice models. Gen10 Plus and Gen11 use OCP 3.0 instead. See our ProLiant generations guide.
Lenovo
| Part number | Card | Form |
|---|---|---|
| 7ZT7A00537 | Intel X710-DA2 2-port SFP+ | PCIe |
| 7XC7A05525 | Intel X710-DA4 4-port SFP+ | PCIe |
| 4XC7A80266 | Intel X710-T2L 2-port 10GBASE-T | PCIe |
| 4XC7A08278 | Intel X710-T2L 2-port 10GBASE-T | OCP 3.0 |
| 00JY940 | Intel X710-DA2 2-port SFP+ | ML2 |
Form factors
- PCIe adapter: fits any server with a free slot of the right size. Check the bracket: low profile or full height.
- OCP 3.0: a standard mezzanine slot used by many current servers. It keeps PCIe slots free.
- Vendor slots: HPE FlexibleLOM and Lenovo ML2 are brand-specific. A card for one does not fit the other.
How many ports?
- 2 ports is the common choice: one link to each of two switches for redundancy.
- 4 ports suits hosts that separate traffic (for example management, storage and virtual machine networks) onto different links, or servers with few free slots.
Buying checklist
- Server model, and the slot type you will use: PCIe (low profile or full height), OCP 3.0, FlexibleLOM or ML2.
- Port type: SFP+, SFP28 or 10GBASE-T.
- Port count: 1, 2 or 4.
- Speed: 10G only, or 10/25G for future upgrades.
- OEM or retail part, depending on your support contract.
- Optics or cables for each port, and the switch model at the other end.
Browse Ethernet adapters, and add cards, optics and cables to one RFQ. Looking for an older card such as the Intel X520? Use Source a Part. We reply within 1 business day.
FAQ
What is the difference between the Intel X710-DA2 and X710-T2L?
Both are 2-port 10G adapters on the X710 controller. The DA2 has SFP+ ports for optics or DAC cables. The T2L has RJ45 ports for 10GBASE-T copper.
Can a 10GBASE-T card connect to a 1G switch?
10GBASE-T ports usually negotiate down to 1 Gb/s on RJ45 switches. Check the adapter's list of supported speeds before you rely on a lower rate.
Do Dell X710 cards work in non-Dell servers?
They use the same Intel controller, but OEM cards may carry brand-specific firmware and brackets. For a non-Dell server, a card sold for that brand, or a retail card, is the safer choice.
Is a 10/25G card worth it on a 10G network?
Often yes. A 10/25G SFP28 card runs at 10G today and moves to 25G when the switches are upgraded, without replacing the card.