Intel 25GbE Ethernet Card

Overview

The Intel E810XXVDA4BLK is a four-port 25 Gigabit Ethernet adapter designed for servers that require higher bandwidth than traditional 10 Gigabit cards. Each SFP28 port supports speeds of 25, 10, or 1 Gigabit, allowing flexible connectivity options that can adapt to current network setups and future upgrades. Installed in a PCIe 4.0 x16 slot, it delivers sufficient bus bandwidth to run all four ports at full line rate, making it suitable for demanding enterprise environments.

Key features

• Four SFP28 ports capable of operating at 25, 10, or 1 Gigabit Ethernet speeds for versatile network compatibility
• PCIe 4.0 x16 interface ensures ample bandwidth to support full line rate on all ports simultaneously
• Intel Ethernet Controller E810 efficiently manages packet processing and offloads CPU tasks to improve overall system performance
• RDMA support with RoCE v2 and iWARP reduces latency and CPU load, enhancing data transfer for storage and computation applications
• SR-IOV and Virtual Machine Device Queues provide dedicated network paths for virtual machines and containers, ensuring consistent performance
• On-chip Quality of Service and traffic management features allow precise control over bandwidth allocation and prioritization of critical services
• Compatible with both copper direct attach cables and fiber transceivers, offering flexibility in cabling based on rack layout and budget
• Full height bracket fits standard server chassis, simplifying installation in enterprise racks

Key specs

• Ports: 4 x SFP28
• Supported speeds: 25 GbE, 10 GbE, 1 GbE
• Interface: PCIe 4.0 x16
• Controller: Intel Ethernet Controller E810
• RDMA protocols: RoCE v2, iWARP
• Form factor: Full height PCIe card

Connectivity and compatibility

This adapter supports a range of network connections through its four SFP28 cages, which accept both copper direct attach cables and fiber optic transceivers. This flexibility allows integration into existing network infrastructures without requiring immediate cabling changes. The PCIe 4.0 x16 slot interface ensures compatibility with modern server motherboards that support high-speed data transfer, making it a strong fit for virtualization hosts, hyperconverged clusters, and high-performance computing nodes.

Performance and reliability

The Intel Ethernet Controller E810 at the core of this card optimizes throughput and reduces latency by offloading packet processing from the CPU. RDMA support with RoCE v2 and iWARP further accelerates data movement between servers, which is critical for applications like NVMe over Fabrics storage and large database clusters. Virtualization features such as SR-IOV and Virtual Machine Device Queues ensure that network performance remains stable and predictable even under heavy host workloads.

Ideal uses and environments

This Ethernet card is well suited to enterprise environments that demand reliable 25 Gigabit connectivity, including virtualization hosts, hyperconverged infrastructure, and high-performance computing setups. Its ability to handle multiple speeds and cable types makes it adaptable to evolving network requirements, while its advanced traffic management features help maintain service quality in busy data centers. Organizations looking to upgrade from 10 Gigabit networks without replacing hardware will find this card a practical and future-proof choice.