reviews of 10Gb PCI-E NIC Network Card
reviews of 10Gb PCI-E NIC Network Card
Same chip and card style as the Intel and IBM versions we purchased previously, at a quarter of the cost—almost identical to used options. Authentic product, performed excellently. While newer cards exist, this model offers all relevant features (including SR-IOV for virtualization) and its older chipset ensures stable drivers across Windows, Linux, or ESX. I’m uncertain about SFP+ locking; therefore, I used an “Intel compatible” module to ensure compatibility. The same supplier provides them at a very reasonable price (10Gtek for Intel E10GSFPSR, 10Gb/s SFP+, 10GBASE-SR, MMF, etc.) and they function perfectly without locking cables. They also work with unlocked passive Twinax cables; I haven’t tested active versions. Now listed on slickdeals with a price drop under $10, it’s a great deal!
This version works similarly no matter the implementation. The differences usually come from support components, warranty length, and other factors.
This VMWare version seems compatible. Running on Windows Server or desktop is safe. For 6.5 or 6.7 it’s not recommended—consider alternatives. The card features an Intel chipset, which should provide good support. A Dell LifeCycle Controller can’t upgrade it since it isn’t one of their approved cards. 10GTek doesn’t list this firmware online and isn’t reaching out via Skype for help. I placed the card in a Windows box, but the Dell update failed there too—tried twice. Eventually, I updated it directly within VMWare, though it remains undetected after reboot. These cards seem to work well on Windows 2012R2 and 2016 servers without needing drivers or setup. They also integrate smoothly with the Ubiquiti 10GbE fiber SFP modules I bought. The people I spoke with via Skype were quick, friendly, and knowledgeable. If you have Windows servers, these cards are worth considering.