BCM957504-N425H Ethernet Adapter with 4 Port SFP28 OCP3 connectivity by Broadcom

Overview of BROADCOM BCM957504-N425H

Product Details

• Manufacturer: Broadcom
• Model Number: BCM957504-N425H
• Device Type: Network Adapter

Technical Specifications

• Form Factor: Plug-in Card for easy integration
• Bus Interface: Open Compute Project Mezzanine (OCP) 3.0
• PCI Specification Revision: PCIe 4.0 for enhanced performance

Connectivity Options

• Ports: 4 x SFP28 for 10Gb and 25Gb Ethernet connectivity
• Data Link Protocols:
  • 10 Gigabit Ethernet (10GbE)
  • 25 Gigabit Ethernet (25GbE)
  • RoCE V2 for optimized storage networking
• Data Transfer Rate: Capable of 25 Gbps for high-speed data transmission

Processor and Features

• Processor: 1 x Broadcom BCM57504
• Key Features:
  • Wake On LAN (WoL)
  • Support for IPv6 and IPv4
  • Receive Side Scaling (RSS)
  • UEFI Support for modern firmware interfaces
  • Single Root I/O Virtualization (SR-IOV) for efficient resource allocation
  • Virtual Extensible LAN (VXLAN)
  • Network Virtualization using Generic Routing Encapsulation (NVGRE)
  • Secure Boot capabilities
  • Network Partitioning (nPAR)
  • VMware NetQueue and Microsoft Virtual Machine Queue (VMQ)
  • Data Plane Development Kit (DPDK) support
  • Firmware Root of Trust for enhanced security
  • Audit Logs for compliance and monitoring
  • Geneve Support for advanced networking protocols
  • OCP 3.0 Support for open standards
  • Sanitization features for secure environments
  • UEFI PXE Boot and Legacy BIOS PXE Boot compatibility

Power Specifications

• Operational Power Consumption: 6 Watts for efficient energy usage

Port: 4

Enhanced Networking Capabilities

The Broadcom BCM957504-N425H Ethernet Adapter is equipped with four ports, providing users with enhanced networking capabilities. Having multiple ports allows for increased flexibility and scalability in network setups, making it easier to accommodate a larger number of devices or users.

Improved Performance and Throughput

With four ports, the BCM957504-N425H Ethernet Adapter enables users to distribute network traffic more efficiently. Each port can handle a specific set of tasks, reducing congestion and improving overall performance and throughput. This is particularly beneficial in high-demand environments where a large number of devices are connected simultaneously.

Redundancy and Failover Protection

The presence of four ports also offers redundancy and failover protection. In the event that one port fails or experiences issues, the remaining ports can continue to handle network traffic seamlessly. This ensures uninterrupted connectivity and minimizes downtime, which is crucial for businesses that rely on continuous network availability.

Load Balancing

Load balancing is another advantage of having four ports on the Broadcom BCM957504-N425H Ethernet Adapter. Network traffic can be evenly distributed across the ports, preventing any single port from becoming overloaded. This helps to optimize performance and ensures that resources are utilized efficiently.

Scalability

The four-port configuration allows for easy expansion as network needs grow. Users can add additional devices or connect more users without the need for additional hardware. This scalability is particularly useful for businesses or organizations that anticipate future growth or have dynamic networking requirements.

Flexibility in Network Design

The availability of four ports gives users greater flexibility in designing their network infrastructure. They can create different network segments or implement various topologies to suit their specific needs. This ensures that the network can be tailored to accommodate different applications, users, or departments within an organization.

Future-Proofing

Investing in a network adapter with four ports ensures future-proofing to some extent. As network demands continue to increase, having multiple ports provides the necessary capacity and bandwidth to handle higher data volumes. This reduces the need for frequent upgrades or replacements, saving both time and money in the long run.

Connector Type: SFP28

Versatility and Compatibility

The Broadcom BCM957504-N425H Ethernet Adapter features an SFP28 connector type, offering users versatility and compatibility advantages. SFP28, short for Small Form-Factor Pluggable 28, is a widely used form factor for high-speed networking applications.

Interchangeable Transceivers

SFP28 connectors allow for the use of interchangeable transceivers, providing flexibility in connecting to different types of network media. Users can choose the appropriate transceiver based on their specific networking requirements, such as connecting to copper or fiber optic cables. This interchangeability simplifies network management and reduces the need for multiple adapter types.

High-Speed Connectivity

SFP28 connectors are designed to support high-speed connectivity, with data rates of up to 25 gigabits per second (Gbps). This enables users to take advantage of faster network speeds and improved performance in data-intensive applications, such as video streaming, large file transfers, or real-time data processing.

Backward Compatibility

An important benefit of SFP28 connectors is their backward compatibility with previous generations of SFP connectors, such as SFP+ and SFP. This means that users can leverage their existing infrastructure and upgrade to the BCM957504-N425H Ethernet Adapter without having to replace all their network equipment. This compatibility saves both time and costs associated with a complete network overhaul.

Space-Efficiency

SFP28 connectors have a small form factor, allowing for higher port density on networking devices. With more ports available, users can maximize their network infrastructure's potential without needing additional physical space. This is particularly advantageous in data centers or crowded networking environments where space is limited.

Easy Hot-Swapping and Maintenance

SFP28 connectors are hot-swappable, meaning they can be inserted or removed from a networking device while it is still powered on. This enables easier maintenance and upgrades without disrupting the entire network. Users can replace faulty or outdated transceivers without interrupting network operations, resulting in improved uptime and less downtime.

Interoperability

SFP28 connectors ensure interoperability between different networking devices from various manufacturers. This compatibility allows users to easily integrate the Broadcom BCM957504-N425H Ethernet Adapter into their existing network infrastructure, regardless of the specific hardware components they are using. It promotes interoperability and simplifies network management.

Connectivity: OCP3

Optimal Data Center Performance

The Broadcom BCM957504-N425H Ethernet Adapter offers OCP3 connectivity, which is specifically designed to meet the demanding requirements of data centers. OCP, short for Open Compute Project, is an initiative that aims to create efficient and scalable data center hardware solutions.

High-Speed Data Transfer

OCP3 connectivity ensures high-speed data transfer rates, allowing for faster communication between network devices within a data center environment. This is crucial for data-intensive applications that require rapid access to large amounts of information, such as cloud computing, virtualization, or big data analytics.

Reduced Latency

The low-latency performance of OCP3 connectivity enables real-time data processing and minimizes delays in transmitting information. This is especially important in applications where low latency is critical, such as financial trading or online gaming. Users can experience improved responsiveness and smoother operation of time-sensitive applications.

Energy Efficiency

OCP3 connectivity incorporates energy-efficient design principles, contributing to reduced power consumption within data center environments. This helps organizations save on energy costs and align with sustainability initiatives. The Broadcom BCM957504-N425H Ethernet Adapter's OCP3 connectivity ensures optimal performance while minimizing energy usage.

Scalability and Flexibility

OCP3 connectivity provides scalability and flexibility for data centers as they grow and evolve. Its standardized design allows for easy integration with other OCP-compliant hardware components, facilitating seamless expansion or upgrades. Users can adapt their network infrastructure to meet changing demands without experiencing compatibility issues or disruptions.

Improved Network Management

OCP3 connectivity promotes improved network management capabilities within data centers. It enables centralized monitoring and control of network devices, simplifying administration tasks. This centralized approach enhances visibility and control over the entire network, resulting in more efficient troubleshooting, configuration management, and resource allocation.

Interoperability

OCP3 connectivity ensures interoperability with other OCP-compliant networking equipment. This compatibility allows users to build a cohesive and standardized network infrastructure using various hardware components from different vendors. It eliminates vendor lock-in and promotes a diverse ecosystem of interoperable solutions.