X4522-PLUS AMD Solarflare X4522 2 Port SFP56 50gbe PCI Express 5.0 Network Adapter

Overview of AMD X4522-PLUS 2 Port Network Adapter

The AMD X4522-PLUS Solarflare X4522 Ethernet Network Adapter is engineered for next-generation data centers, enterprise servers, and high-throughput networking environments. Built to deliver ultra-low latency, exceptional bandwidth, and rock-solid reliability, this advanced Ethernet card supports modern workloads such as cloud computing, virtualization, high-performance computing (HPC), AI/ML pipelines, and large-scale storage networks.

General Information

• Brand: AMD
• Part Number: X4522-PLUS
• Model: X4522
• Product Type: Ethernet Network Adapter

Technical Specifications

• Total Network Ports: 2
• Ethernet LAN Ports: 2
• Host Interface: PCI Express 5.0
• Port Type: SFP56

The AMD X4522-PLUS Solarflare X4522 2 Port Network Adapter

The category of high-performance Ethernet network adapters designed for modern data centers, cloud infrastructure, and high-frequency computing environments has evolved rapidly with the introduction of 50 Gigabit Ethernet (50GbE) technology. Products such as the AMD X4522-PLUS Solarflare X4522 2 Port SFP56 50GbE PCI Express 5.0 x8 Ethernet Network Adapter represent a new generation of intelligent, low-latency, and high-throughput networking solutions. This category focuses on delivering deterministic performance, ultra-low latency, and advanced offload capabilities for enterprise, hyperscale, and performance-sensitive workloads.

50GbE Ethernet Technology 

Evolution from 10GbE and 25GbE to 50GbE

The transition from legacy 10GbE and 25GbE networking to 50GbE marks a critical milestone in data center evolution. As workloads continue to demand higher east-west traffic capacity and lower latency, 50GbE provides a balanced upgrade path by doubling the bandwidth of 25GbE while maintaining cost efficiency and power optimization. Network adapters in this category are designed to meet these demands without requiring complex architectural changes.50GbE Ethernet adapters leverage advanced signaling technologies and SFP56 optical or direct-attach copper interfaces to deliver higher throughput per port. This allows data centers to consolidate network links, reduce cabling complexity, and improve overall infrastructure efficiency. The AMD Solarflare X4522-based adapters are positioned squarely within this high-growth segment.

Role of SFP56 Interfaces 

SFP56 has become the preferred interface for 50GbE deployments due to its flexibility, backward compatibility, and compact form factor. Network adapters equipped with SFP56 ports support a wide range of transceivers and cables, enabling short-reach, long-reach, and direct-attach connectivity options. This flexibility is essential for scalable network architectures across racks, rows, and data halls.The category emphasizes compatibility with industry-standard optics and cables, ensuring seamless integration with existing network infrastructure. Dual-port SFP56 adapters allow simultaneous high-speed connections, redundancy, link aggregation, and advanced traffic management strategies.

PCI Express 5.0 Architecture and Bandwidth Advantages

PCIe 5.0 x8 Connectivity

PCI Express 5.0 represents a major leap in host interface bandwidth, offering double the throughput of PCIe 4.0. Network adapters in this category utilize a PCIe 5.0 x8 interface to ensure sufficient bandwidth for dual 50GbE ports operating at full line rate. This eliminates host bottlenecks and enables consistent, predictable data transfer between the network adapter and the server CPU or accelerator.The PCIe 5.0 x8 configuration provides ample headroom for advanced offloads, virtualization features, and future-proof scalability. It ensures that high packet rates, large frame sizes, and intensive workloads do not saturate the host interface, which is critical for latency-sensitive applications.

Reliable and Scalable Ethernet Card Design

The AMD X4522-PLUS Solarflare Ethernet Adapter is engineered with durability and scalability in mind. Its robust hardware design ensures long-term reliability, while its advanced features support growing network demands without compromising performance.

Performance-Focused Ethernet Adapter

By combining dual 50GbE SFP56 ports with PCI Express 5.0 x8 connectivity, this Ethernet card enables faster data movement, lower latency, and improved overall network efficiency, making it an excellent choice for modern, high-speed IT infrastructures.

Impact on Server and Platform Design

Network adapters designed for PCIe 5.0 are optimized for next-generation server platforms based on modern CPU architectures. This category aligns with contemporary server designs that prioritize high I/O density, balanced compute-to-network ratios, and energy efficiency. The result is improved system-level performance and better utilization of server resources.By adopting PCIe 5.0, these adapters support emerging workloads such as AI inference at scale, distributed databases, and real-time analytics, where consistent low latency and high throughput are mandatory.

PCI Express 5.0 x8 Host Interface

With PCIe Gen5 technology, this Ethernet adapter offers enhanced bandwidth and improved signal integrity. It is well-suited for modern server platforms that require high-speed data access and seamless communication between components.

High-Speed Network Connectivity

The Solarflare X4522 Ethernet Card is equipped with dual network ports, allowing simultaneous high-speed connections. This dual-port configuration enhances redundancy, load balancing, and network segmentation, making it a flexible choice for enterprise networking setups.

Dual SFP56 Port Configuration

Featuring two SFP56 expansion slots, the adapter supports 50GbE connectivity per port, delivering exceptional data transfer rates. This makes it suitable for high-performance clusters, data analytics platforms, and storage-area networks.

Benefits of 2-Port 50GbE Network Adapters

Dual-port network adapters provide significant advantages in terms of redundancy, performance, and scalability. In this category, two independent 50GbE SFP56 ports enable flexible network topologies, including active-active configurations, link aggregation (LACP), and failover scenarios. This design enhances availability and resilience in mission-critical environments.Administrators can use dual ports to separate traffic types, such as storage, management, and application data, or to connect to different network fabrics. This versatility is particularly valuable in enterprise data centers and cloud environments where workload isolation and performance consistency are required.

Compatibility with Hypervisors and Cloud Platforms

Network adapters in this segment are designed to integrate seamlessly with leading hypervisors and cloud platforms. Support for common virtualization technologies ensures broad compatibility and simplified deployment in private, public, and hybrid cloud environments.Containerized workloads also benefit from advanced networking features such as accelerated packet processing and enhanced throughput, enabling microservices architectures to scale without network bottlenecks.

Energy Efficiency and Thermal Design

Optimized Power Consumption

Despite their high performance, network adapters in this category are engineered for energy efficiency. Advanced silicon design, intelligent power management, and efficient PCIe interfaces contribute to reduced power consumption per gigabit of throughput.This focus on efficiency helps data centers manage operational costs and meet sustainability goals while deploying high-bandwidth networking solutions.