Server Network Adapters

Choosing the right server network card

When choosing a server network adapter, it’s important to consider the key specs such as speed, port quantity, interface, card size and of course cost. There are cards available with a number of different transmission speeds including 10Mbps, 100Mbps, 10/100Mbps adaptive card, 1Gbps, 10GbE, 25Gb and even 40Gb. Pick a network card that can support the speed of your network switch and ensure the cabling can process data just as quickly.

Ports

Most server ethernet NICs come with at least a couple of RJ45 ports but there are models with quad ports which are great for providing network redundancy or traffic splitting. Some Ethernet cards have RJ45 connectors, while fibre network cards may use SFP+ or QSFP+, and others might even use BNCs (bayonet nut connectors). For a card with an RJ45 connector, like a 1/10GBASE-T network card, you need to use an Ethernet cable that's compatible, like Cat5e or Cat6.

Interfaces

The three main types of NIC cards are PCI, PCI-X, PCIe network cards. They fit into the slots on the motherboard of devices like servers and hosts. The USB (universal serial bus) network adapter is external to the device. PCIe is the latest standard, is used for most server network cards and is available in five different versions supporting five different lanes and speeds.

Sizes

Don’t overlook the network card’s physical size since there are half height, full height, half width and full width cards available and different server chassis can accommodate different types of cards. Check the server’s tech specs before buying to ensure you pick a compatible network card.