Dell 406-BBLC ConnectX-4 LX Dual Port Network Adapter

Dell 406-BBLC ConnectX-4 Lx SFP Dual-Port 25GBPS Low Profile Network Adapter

Overview of Dell 406-BBLC ConnectX-4 Lx SFP Dual-Port 25GBPS Low Profile Network Adapter

The Dell 406-BBLC ConnectX-4 Lx SFP Dual-Port 25GBPS Low Profile Network Adapter is a high-performance, low-profile network card designed to deliver excellent speed and reliability for data center and enterprise networking environments. Featuring dual 25Gbps ports, the adapter enables faster and more efficient data transfer, making it an ideal choice for demanding applications such as virtualization, cloud computing, and high-performance computing (HPC). This advanced network adapter is built with the latest ConnectX-4 Lx technology, providing a robust solution to address the growing demands of modern network infrastructure.

Key Features of the Dell 406-BBLC ConnectX-4 Lx Network Adapter

High-Speed Connectivity

One of the standout features of the Dell 406-BBLC ConnectX-4 Lx network adapter is its dual 25Gbps ports, offering fast and reliable connectivity for enterprise and data center networks. The 25Gbps throughput ensures minimal latency and efficient data transmission, enabling businesses to scale their network performance in line with growing workloads and user demands.

Low Profile Design

The low-profile form factor of the Dell 406-BBLC network adapter makes it an ideal choice for compact server chassis and systems where space is a constraint. The low profile design ensures that this network adapter can be installed in a variety of configurations, providing users with the flexibility to build out their systems without sacrificing valuable rack space or overall server density.

Optimized for Data Center Environments

This network adapter is engineered specifically for use in data center and enterprise environments. It is compatible with a wide range of server platforms and network topologies, ensuring that it integrates seamlessly into existing infrastructure. The 406-BBLC adapter supports advanced features such as hardware offloads for virtualization and Quality of Service (QoS), helping businesses to optimize their network performance while reducing CPU overhead.

Technical Specifications

Connectivity

The Dell 406-BBLC ConnectX-4 Lx features dual SFP28 ports capable of supporting 25Gbps speeds. The use of SFP28 connectors allows for high-bandwidth connectivity, and the dual-port design provides redundancy and increased throughput for more efficient network traffic management.

Low Latency and High Throughput

With a maximum throughput of 25Gbps per port, the adapter delivers impressive data rates, making it suitable for high-performance applications, including storage networks, cloud platforms, and large-scale enterprise networks. The reduced latency ensures that data is transferred efficiently and quickly, even under heavy load conditions.

Advanced Features

• Support for Remote Direct Memory Access (RDMA) over Converged Ethernet (RoCE) and iWARP
• Hardware-based acceleration for network and storage traffic
• Support for various virtualized environments, including VMware, Microsoft Hyper-V, and OpenStack
• Network Offload Engine (NOE) for improved CPU efficiency
• Comprehensive hardware error correction and advanced diagnostics tools

Applications and Use Cases

Cloud Computing

In cloud computing environments, where large volumes of data are constantly being transferred, the Dell 406-BBLC ConnectX-4 Lx SFP Dual-Port 25GBPS Network Adapter excels. It supports cloud-scale applications, offering fast and scalable network solutions to handle high-bandwidth workloads. Whether it's handling virtual machines, managing large datasets, or providing access to cloud-based storage, this network adapter is a vital component of modern cloud infrastructure.

High-Performance Computing (HPC)

The speed and performance offered by this adapter make it ideal for high-performance computing applications that require rapid data transfer between nodes. It facilitates large-scale scientific simulations, financial modeling, and real-time data processing by providing low-latency, high-throughput communication between clusters of servers. HPC applications benefit from the low-profile design, allowing for more dense and efficient server setups.

Virtualization

For virtualized environments, where multiple virtual machines (VMs) are running concurrently, the Dell 406-BBLC ConnectX-4 Lx Network Adapter supports efficient virtualization offloads. This helps reduce CPU usage and improve overall virtualized server performance. It works seamlessly with leading hypervisors like VMware vSphere and Microsoft Hyper-V to provide enhanced network performance, reduced latency, and better scalability in virtualized network environments.

Data Center Networking

The dual-port, 25Gbps design makes this network adapter particularly well-suited for data center applications that require high-speed, redundant network connections. The increased bandwidth and low latency enable smooth and efficient communication across servers and storage devices, making the adapter essential for mission-critical data center operations. With support for advanced features like RDMA and offload engines, it optimizes data throughput while reducing network congestion and CPU strain.

Advantages of the Dell 406-BBLC ConnectX-4 Lx Network Adapter

Scalability and Flexibility

One of the key advantages of the Dell 406-BBLC ConnectX-4 Lx is its scalability. The dual-port configuration allows for greater flexibility in building and expanding network infrastructure. It can be easily integrated into existing network setups, and its ability to support 25Gbps speeds ensures that it is ready to handle future bandwidth demands. As businesses grow and their network traffic increases, this adapter offers a cost-effective solution for upgrading network speed without overhauling the entire infrastructure.

Enhanced Efficiency and Reduced CPU Load

With hardware offload capabilities, the Dell 406-BBLC ConnectX-4 Lx reduces the burden on server CPUs, offloading data processing tasks directly onto the network adapter. This results in a significant decrease in CPU utilization, allowing the server to allocate more resources toward other critical tasks. Additionally, the Network Offload Engine (NOE) optimizes network traffic, reducing bottlenecks and increasing overall system efficiency.

Reliable and Secure

Reliability and security are essential for any enterprise-level network solution. The Dell 406-BBLC ConnectX-4 Lx ensures reliable network performance with support for advanced error correction technologies, ensuring that data is transmitted without corruption. Furthermore, the adapter features strong security mechanisms, such as data encryption and secure boot functionality, helping protect sensitive information and preventing unauthorized access to the network.

Compatibility and Integration

Server Compatibility

The Dell 406-BBLC ConnectX-4 Lx network adapter is compatible with a wide range of server models, ensuring easy integration into various environments. It supports multiple operating systems, including Windows Server, Linux, and others, making it a versatile choice for businesses with diverse IT infrastructures. Its low-profile form factor also ensures it fits in most servers with space limitations, adding further flexibility to the network setup process.

Network Infrastructure Integration

With support for a wide range of networking protocols, including Ethernet, iSCSI, FCoE, and more, the Dell 406-BBLC ConnectX-4 Lx can be seamlessly integrated into existing network infrastructures. Whether upgrading from slower 10Gbps adapters or building a new high-speed network, this adapter offers the necessary performance and reliability to meet the demands of modern enterprise environments.