Intel X520-SR1 PCIe 2.0 x8 - 10GBase-SR Ethernet Converged Network Adapter

Overview

The Intel E10G41BFSR is a single-port 10 Gigabit Ethernet converged network adapter designed for servers and workstations that require reliable high-speed connectivity. It uses a PCIe 2.0 x8 interface to deliver full 10 Gbps bandwidth over short-range multimode fiber, reducing latency and offloading network processing from the CPU. This adapter is ideal for data centers, virtualization environments, and storage networks where performance and efficiency are critical.

Key features

• PCIe 2.0 x8 interface provides sufficient bandwidth to support a full 10 Gbps line rate without bottlenecks
• Single 10GBase-SR port enables fast, short-range fiber connections suitable for high-speed data transfer within racks or between nearby equipment
• Intel Ethernet Flow Director and Receive Side Coalescing improve network traffic management, allowing multi-core CPUs to focus more on applications rather than handling interrupts
• SR-IOV and VMDq technologies allow direct bandwidth assignment to individual virtual machines, reducing network contention and simplifying quality-of-service management
• Supports key storage protocols including iSCSI, NFS, and Fibre Channel over Ethernet, enabling traffic consolidation and reducing cabling complexity
• Compatible with major operating systems such as Windows Server, popular Linux distributions, and VMware ESXi, ensuring broad deployment flexibility
• Includes both low-profile and full-height brackets to fit a variety of server chassis and rack configurations
• Status LEDs provide clear, immediate feedback on link speed and network activity for easy monitoring

Key specs

• Interface: PCIe 2.0 x8
• Network speed: 10 Gbps (10GBase-SR)
• Port type: Single short-range multimode fiber (SR) port
• Supported protocols: iSCSI, NFS, Fibre Channel over Ethernet
• Operating system support: Windows Server, Linux distributions, VMware ESXi
• Form factor: Low-profile and full-height brackets included
• Link status indicators: LED for speed and activity

Connectivity and compatibility

This adapter connects via a PCIe 2.0 x8 slot and uses a 10GBase-SR fiber optic port for network links. It integrates seamlessly with existing data center infrastructure, supporting common storage and virtualization protocols. The broad OS compatibility ensures it can be deployed in diverse environments without driver issues, making it a versatile choice for upgrading network performance.

Performance and reliability

Designed to reduce CPU overhead, the adapter’s advanced traffic management features help maintain smooth data flow even under heavy loads. Its support for SR-IOV and VMDq enhances virtualization performance by allocating network resources efficiently. The robust build and included bracket options ensure reliable operation in both standard and compact server setups.

Ideal uses and environments

This network adapter fits well in data centers, virtualization farms, and high-performance computing clusters where fast, low-latency connections are essential. It is particularly suited for administrators looking to consolidate storage and network traffic onto fewer physical links while maintaining high throughput. Media servers and file servers handling large data assets will also benefit from its speed and protocol support.