Dell ​NHW94 Dual Port 10GB SFP+ Server Adapter

Dell NHW94 Intel X520 Dual Port 10GB DA/SFP+ Server Adapter Overview

The Dell NHW94 Intel X520 Dual Port 10GB DA/SFP+ Server Adapter is a high-performance network interface card (NIC) designed for modern data centers and enterprise IT infrastructures. This versatile server adapter enables high-speed connectivity and low-latency communication for servers, providing reliable and efficient networking capabilities for a wide range of applications. Whether you're looking to upgrade your existing network, enhance data throughput, or improve overall network performance, the Intel X520 server adapter delivers exceptional results with its advanced features and cutting-edge technology.

Key Features of the Dell NHW94 Intel X520 Dual Port 10GB Server Adapter

Dual Port Connectivity for Enhanced Network Performance

The Dell NHW94 is equipped with dual 10GB ports, offering high-throughput performance for servers that require fast and reliable networking. Dual ports enable better traffic management, load balancing, and redundancy. This allows for improved fault tolerance, which is critical for mission-critical applications in data centers. Each port operates at speeds of up to 10 Gbps, offering increased bandwidth and supporting high-performance networking environments where large volumes of data need to be transferred rapidly and efficiently.

High-Throughput for Data-Intensive Applications

For environments dealing with large datasets, such as high-performance computing (HPC), video streaming, and big data analytics, the Dell NHW94 Intel X520 adapter ensures that servers can handle demanding workloads with ease. The 10GB speeds supported by this server adapter are crucial for maintaining the speed and efficiency needed in data centers, reducing the time required to transfer large amounts of data across network connections. This results in reduced latency and faster access to mission-critical applications, enhancing the overall system performance.

Redundant Network Paths for Reliability

By offering dual ports, the Dell NHW94 enhances network reliability by providing redundant paths for data transmission. In case one network link fails, the second port ensures that the server remains connected, preventing downtime and ensuring business continuity. This feature is especially important for high-availability environments where uptime is critical, such as in cloud computing platforms, virtualized infrastructures, and financial systems. Redundancy ensures that the system can maintain uninterrupted service, even during hardware failures.

Intel X520 Chipset for Advanced Networking Technology

At the heart of the Dell NHW94 server adapter is the Intel X520 chipset, a highly regarded networking solution that offers superior networking capabilities. The X520 chipset supports advanced features such as 10 Gigabit Ethernet (10GbE), which enables faster communication and increased bandwidth. Additionally, the Intel X520 chipset is optimized for low-latency performance, making it ideal for latency-sensitive applications such as high-frequency trading, VoIP services, and online gaming.

Support for Virtualization and Cloud Computing

The Intel X520 chipset also supports virtualization technologies such as VMware vSphere, Microsoft Hyper-V, and Citrix XenServer. These features enable efficient virtual machine (VM) migration, network traffic prioritization, and low-latency communication between virtualized servers. The Dell NHW94 adapter can significantly enhance the performance of virtualized environments by providing a high-speed, reliable, and low-latency network connection between virtualized servers, virtual machines, and the underlying physical network infrastructure.

Optimized for Scalability and Performance

Intel’s X520 chipset is built with scalability in mind, ensuring that your network can grow as your business needs evolve. The adapter is ideal for environments that require high-performance, scalable networking solutions. Its ability to handle the increasing demands of cloud-based services, virtualization workloads, and other intensive applications means that businesses can scale their IT infrastructure efficiently without needing frequent hardware upgrades.

Advanced Features for Enhanced Network Management

The Dell NHW94 Intel X520 server adapter is packed with advanced features that make network management easier and more efficient. These features are designed to improve network visibility, optimize traffic, and enhance performance. The following features make it easier for IT administrators to manage and maintain the network infrastructure:

Remote Management Capabilities

With the Intel X520 chipset, the Dell NHW94 provides remote management features such as the ability to monitor network health, manage traffic, and configure adapter settings from a centralized location. This is particularly beneficial for businesses with large-scale server deployments or remote data centers, as it allows administrators to manage their networking environment efficiently without being physically present at the hardware location.

Quality of Service (QoS) for Traffic Prioritization

The Intel X520 supports advanced Quality of Service (QoS) features that allow administrators to prioritize critical network traffic. This ensures that bandwidth is allocated to the most important applications, such as video conferencing, VoIP, and real-time analytics, while less time-sensitive traffic, such as file transfers or batch jobs, receives lower priority. This optimization results in improved performance for latency-sensitive applications and better overall network efficiency.

Intel Virtualization Technology

Intel Virtualization Technology (VT) is supported on the Dell NHW94 server adapter, enabling seamless integration with virtualized environments. This feature helps maximize the performance of virtual machines (VMs) by allowing them to directly access the hardware resources of the adapter, reducing overhead and improving overall system performance. Virtualization is essential for optimizing server resources and consolidating workloads in modern data centers, and the Intel VT feature enhances this process by enabling better network performance in virtual environments.

Support for High-Speed Connectivity: SFP+ and DA Options

The Dell NHW94 Intel X520 server adapter offers support for both SFP+ (Small Form-factor Pluggable Plus) and DA (Direct Attach) connections, providing flexibility in network setup. This flexibility ensures compatibility with various types of networking environments and cabling standards, allowing businesses to choose the most suitable connectivity option based on their existing infrastructure and performance needs.

SFP+ Connectivity for Long-Distance Connections

SFP+ connectivity allows the Dell NHW94 to establish high-speed fiber optic connections, supporting long-distance network communication. This makes the server adapter ideal for connecting data centers, remote offices, or high-performance computing clusters that require fast and reliable networking over long distances. The fiber optic capability of SFP+ ensures minimal signal degradation and faster speeds, making it suitable for enterprise-level deployments and mission-critical applications.

DA Connectivity for Short-Distance, Cost-Effective Solutions

For shorter-distance applications, such as within a single data center or server rack, the DA (Direct Attach) option provides a cost-effective way to connect servers. DA cables are often used for high-speed, low-latency communication between devices located in close proximity. With DA support, the Dell NHW94 Intel X520 adapter provides a versatile solution for businesses that require fast, reliable networking over short distances, without the higher cost of fiber optic cabling.

Enhanced Security Features for Safe Networking

The Dell NHW94 Intel X520 Dual Port 10GB DA/SFP+ Server Adapter includes advanced security features that help protect the network from unauthorized access and data breaches. These features ensure that sensitive data is transmitted securely over the network and that server communications remain protected against potential threats.

Network Security via Hardware Offload

Intel X520 adapters provide hardware-based offload for security protocols such as IPsec (Internet Protocol Security), SSL (Secure Sockets Layer), and TLS (Transport Layer Security). This offloading improves the efficiency of security processes by offloading encryption and decryption tasks from the CPU to the network adapter. As a result, the CPU is freed up to handle other critical tasks, while the network adapter ensures secure data transmission. This feature is particularly valuable in environments that require secure communication for financial transactions, healthcare data, and other sensitive information.

Secure Boot and Trusted Platform Module (TPM) Support

The Dell NHW94 Intel X520 adapter also supports Secure Boot and TPM, which are essential for ensuring the integrity and security of the server environment. Secure Boot ensures that only trusted software is loaded onto the system, while TPM provides hardware-based security to protect against unauthorized access and tampering. Together, these features provide a strong security foundation for businesses seeking to protect their networks from cyber threats.

Applications of the Dell NHW94 Intel X520 Dual Port 10GB Server Adapter

High-Performance Computing and Data Centers

The Dell NHW94 Intel X520 server adapter is ideal for high-performance computing (HPC) environments, where fast, reliable networking is essential for handling massive datasets and complex simulations. Data centers, cloud service providers, and enterprises with demanding computational workloads benefit from the 10GbE performance offered by this adapter, enabling them to meet the growing demands of modern applications while improving network efficiency.

Virtualized Environments

Virtualization is a key component of modern IT infrastructure, and the Dell NHW94 Intel X520 server adapter is built to excel in virtualized