Dell 0C63DV Quad Port 2x 10GbE SFP + 2x 1Gb I350 Network Daughter Card X520-DA2

The Dell 0C63DV Quad Port 2x 10GbE SFP + 2x 1Gb I350 Network Daughter Card X520-DA2 is a versatile network interface card (NIC) designed for high-performance networking in data center and enterprise environments. This card provides a combination of high-speed 10 Gigabit Ethernet (10GbE) connectivity and legacy 1 Gigabit Ethernet (1GbE) support, ensuring compatibility with a wide range of network infrastructure. Below is a detailed breakdown of the card's features and specifications:

Key Features:

• Quad-Port Design: The card features four ports, combining two 10GbE SFP+ (Small Form-factor Pluggable Plus) ports for high-speed networking and two 1GbE (Gigabit Ethernet) ports that provide backward compatibility for environments that do not require 10GbE.

• Dual 10GbE SFP+ Ports: The two 10GbE ports are designed for high-throughput, low-latency connections. These ports use SFP+ modules, allowing users to connect the card to fiber-optic networks for high-speed, long-distance data transfer. The 10GbE interfaces are ideal for demanding workloads such as virtualization, storage networks, and high-performance computing (HPC).

• Dual 1GbE Ports (Intel I350 Chipset): The two 1GbE ports are powered by the Intel I350 chipset, known for its efficiency and stability. These ports offer support for legacy devices or environments where 1GbE speeds are sufficient, making the card a flexible solution for a wide range of network requirements.

• Network Virtualization Support: The card supports various advanced networking features such as Virtual Machine Queue (VMQ), Single Root I/O Virtualization (SR-IOV), and Energy Efficient Ethernet (EEE). These features are crucial for optimizing network performance in virtualized environments and improving power efficiency.

• Compatibility: The 0C63DV card is designed for use in Dell PowerEdge servers and is typically compatible with various server models, including the Dell PowerEdge R620, R630, and other compatible server configurations. It is engineered to integrate seamlessly with Dell's enterprise ecosystem, providing stable and reliable network performance.

• Hardware Offload Features: The card supports various offload features, including TCP/IP checksum offloading, Large Send Offload (LSO), and Large Receive Offload (LRO), which offload the processing of network traffic from the CPU to the NIC, improving overall system efficiency and freeing up CPU resources for other tasks.

• Low-Profile Form Factor: The card comes in a low-profile form factor, making it suitable for use in smaller server chassis or systems with limited expansion slots.

• Hot-Pluggable: The card is hot-pluggable, which means it can be installed or removed from a server without needing to power down the system, ensuring minimal downtime during upgrades or maintenance.

Specifications:

• Form Factor: Low-profile, PCIe 3.0 x8
• Ports: 2x 10GbE SFP+ ports, 2x 1GbE RJ45 ports
• Controller: Intel I350 chipset for 1GbE, Intel X520 for 10GbE
• Interface: PCIe 3.0
• Speed: 2x 10GbE SFP+ (10 Gbps each) + 2x 1GbE (1 Gbps each)
• Compatibility: Works with Dell PowerEdge servers and compatible systems
• Power Consumption: Power-efficient with energy-saving modes

Use Cases:

• Data Center & Virtualization: The high-speed 10GbE SFP+ ports make it ideal for use in virtualized environments, where bandwidth demands are high. It supports features like SR-IOV, making it efficient in virtualized networking scenarios.
• Enterprise Networking: Perfect for environments that require robust networking capabilities, offering a combination of legacy and high-speed ports for different network setups.
• Storage Networks: The 10GbE ports can be used for connecting to storage systems or storage area networks (SANs), offering low-latency, high-throughput networking.
• Server Clusters: The card's combination of speeds ensures compatibility across multiple types of infrastructure, allowing for versatile integration into clusters or cloud setups.

In summary, the Dell 0C63DV Quad Port 2x 10GbE SFP+ and 2x 1GbE I350 Network Daughter Card X520-DA2 is a high-performance, flexible network interface solution that offers a balance between cutting-edge 10GbE speeds and compatibility with older 1GbE networks. It is particularly suited for demanding workloads in data centers and enterprise networks, offering a combination of scalability, reliability, and efficiency.