61J1X Dell Broadcom 57402 2-Ports 10G SFP+ PCI Express 3.0 x8 Low Profile Adapter

Dell Broadcom 57402 2-Ports 10G SFP+ PCIe Adapter

General Information

• Brand: Dell
• Model Number: 61J1X
• Category: Network Interface Card

Technical Highlights

• Chipset: Broadcom BCM57402 controller
• Speed: 10 Gigabit per second per port (full duplex)
• Connectivity: Dual 10G SFP+ slots
• Bus Interface: PCI Express 3.0 x8 (8.0 GT/s) and backward compatible with PCIe 2.0 (5.0 GT/s)
• Design: Compact low-profile card
• Protocol Support: 10 Gigabit Ethernet (10 GigE)

Performance Features

High-Speed Data Transmission

• 10 Gbps throughput on each port
• Bi-directional data flow for optimized efficiency
• Reliable bandwidth for enterprise workloads

Advanced Chipset Technology

• Powered by Broadcom BCM57402 controller
• Enhanced packet processing capabilities
• Low latency for demanding applications

Design and Compatibility

Form Factor

• Low-profile design suitable for compact servers
• Plug-in card for easy installation

Interface Support

• PCI Express 3.0 x8 for maximum performance
• Backward compatibility with PCIe 2.0 systems

Networking Capabilities

Ethernet Protocols

• Supports 10 Gigabit Ethernet (10 GigE)
• Ideal for high-speed networking environments

Port Configuration

• Two SFP+ slots for flexible connectivity
• Compatible with fiber optic transceivers

61J1X 57402 2-Ports 10G SFP+ Interface Adapters  Overview

The Dell 61J1X Broadcom 57402 2-Ports 10G SFP+ PCI Express 3.0 x8 Low Profile Adapter belongs to a specialized category of enterprise-grade network interface cards engineered for demanding server, virtualization, and data center networking environments. This category focuses on delivering reliable, high-throughput, and low-latency Ethernet connectivity for modern workloads that require consistent performance, advanced offloading capabilities, and seamless integration with server platforms. Adapters in this class are designed to support bandwidth-intensive applications such as virtualization clusters, private and hybrid cloud infrastructures, high-availability databases, and software-defined networking architectures.

Network adapters in this category emphasize stability, scalability, and compatibility with enterprise operating systems and hypervisors. They are typically deployed in rack-mounted servers, blade systems, and dense compute nodes where efficient network communication is critical to overall system performance. The Dell 61J1X Broadcom 57402 exemplifies these requirements by combining dual 10 Gigabit Ethernet connectivity with an optimized PCI Express 3.0 interface and a low-profile form factor that fits compact server chassis.

Broadcom 57402 Controller Architecture and Capabilities

The Broadcom 57402 controller is a central component of this network adapter category, providing a proven and widely adopted architecture for enterprise networking. Designed to handle sustained high-throughput traffic, the controller supports dual 10GbE ports through SFP+ interfaces, enabling flexible connectivity options depending on the chosen transceivers and cabling. This architecture allows organizations to tailor network deployments to specific distance, cost, and performance requirements without changing the underlying adapter hardware.

Adapters based on the Broadcom 57402 controller are known for their robust hardware offload engines that reduce CPU overhead. By handling tasks such as checksum offload, TCP segmentation, and receive-side scaling at the hardware level, these adapters free server processors to focus on application workloads. This approach improves overall efficiency, particularly in virtualized environments where multiple virtual machines or containers share network resources.

Dual-Port 10GbE Connectivity for Redundancy and Performance

The dual-port design is a defining characteristic of this adapter category. Each 10G SFP+ port can be configured independently, allowing administrators to implement network redundancy, load balancing, or network segmentation strategies. In high-availability environments, dual ports enable failover configurations that maintain network connectivity even if one link experiences issues. In performance-focused deployments, link aggregation can be used to increase effective bandwidth and improve traffic distribution.

This dual-port approach aligns with best practices in enterprise networking, where redundancy and resilience are essential. By providing two high-speed interfaces on a single PCIe card, servers can reduce the number of expansion slots required while still achieving robust network designs. This is particularly valuable in dense server configurations where slot availability is limited.

PCI Express 3.0 x8 Interface for Optimized Throughput

The PCI Express 3.0 x8 interface is a key feature that defines the performance envelope of this adapter category. PCIe 3.0 offers significantly higher bandwidth compared to previous generations, ensuring that the network adapter can fully utilize dual 10GbE connections without becoming a bottleneck. With sufficient lane allocation, data flows efficiently between the network interface and the system memory, supporting sustained throughput under heavy workloads.

Adapters utilizing PCIe 3.0 x8 are well suited for modern server platforms that prioritize high-speed interconnects. This interface compatibility ensures that the adapter integrates seamlessly with contemporary server motherboards and chipsets, providing consistent performance across a wide range of enterprise systems. The result is predictable network behavior even during peak usage periods.

Low Profile Form Factor for Space-Efficient Server Design

The low profile design of this adapter category addresses the needs of compact server chassis commonly found in data centers. Many rack-mounted servers, especially those optimized for density, require low profile expansion cards to accommodate airflow and space constraints. By adhering to low profile specifications, the Dell 61J1X Broadcom 57402 adapter ensures compatibility with a broad range of server models.

This form factor does not compromise performance or functionality. Despite its compact physical dimensions, the adapter delivers full dual-port 10GbE capability and enterprise-class features. This balance of size and performance makes it an ideal choice for environments where maximizing compute density is a priority.

SFP+ Interface Flexibility and Optical Networking

SFP+ connectivity is a defining trait of this network adapter category, offering flexibility in media selection and network design. SFP+ ports support a variety of transceivers, including short-range and long-range optical modules as well as direct attach copper cables. This flexibility allows organizations to choose the most appropriate connectivity option based on distance requirements, power consumption considerations, and cost constraints.

In data center environments, SFP+ optical connectivity is often preferred for its ability to support longer distances and reduced electromagnetic interference. Adapters in this category are engineered to maintain signal integrity and reliable operation across supported transceiver types, ensuring consistent network performance.

Compatibility with Enterprise Transceivers and Cables

The adapter category supports a wide ecosystem of SFP+ transceivers and cables, making it easier to integrate into existing network infrastructures. Whether deploying multimode fiber for short intra-rack connections or single-mode fiber for longer inter-rack links, this flexibility simplifies network planning and reduces the need for specialized hardware.

Direct attach copper cables provide an additional option for short distances, offering low latency and cost-effective connectivity within racks. This versatility ensures that the adapter can adapt to evolving network topologies without requiring hardware replacement.

Virtualization and Cloud Infrastructure Optimization

Network adapters in this category are optimized for virtualization and cloud computing environments. With support for advanced features such as SR-IOV, virtual machine queues, and hardware-based traffic management, these adapters enable efficient sharing of network resources among multiple virtual machines. This capability is essential for maintaining predictable performance in multi-tenant environments.

The Dell 61J1X Broadcom 57402 adapter aligns with these requirements by offering robust virtualization support that integrates with popular hypervisors. This integration allows administrators to configure network policies, manage bandwidth allocation, and monitor traffic at a granular level, enhancing overall infrastructure control.

Reduced CPU Utilization Through Hardware Offloads

Hardware offloading is a core advantage of this adapter category. By handling network processing tasks within the adapter itself, server CPUs are relieved from intensive packet processing workloads. This reduction in CPU utilization translates to improved application performance and greater efficiency, particularly in environments with high network traffic volumes.

These offloading capabilities are especially beneficial in virtualized setups, where multiple virtual machines compete for CPU resources. By offloading network tasks, the adapter contributes to a more balanced and responsive system.

Operating System and Platform Compatibility

Enterprise network adapters must support a wide range of operating systems and server platforms. This category emphasizes broad compatibility with major enterprise operating systems, including various distributions of Linux, Windows Server editions, and virtualization platforms. This compatibility ensures smooth integration into existing IT environments.

The adapter category also benefits from mature driver support and regular updates, which enhance stability and security. Administrators can rely on consistent performance and access to advanced features across supported platforms.