VJWVJ Dell Broadcom Quad Port 5720 Ocp 3.0 Nic 1gbase-t Ocp3 Mezzanine Card

Product Overview for the Dell VJWVJ Broadcom Quad Port

The DELL VJWVJ Broadcom 5720 OCP 3.0 NIC offers a high-performance and cost-effective solution for networking needs in modern enterprise environments. This quad-port OCP 3.0 mezzanine card provides dependable 1GBASE-T Ethernet connectivity, optimized for high-density data center and cloud infrastructure applications.

Key Functional Features

• Fitted with four individual RJ-45 ports, each capable of 1 Gigabit Ethernet speeds
• Engineered for the OCP 3.0 form factor, ensuring seamless integration with compatible Dell servers
• Utilizes Broadcom 5720 chipset for stable and efficient data handling
• Supports PCIe interface through OCP slot for reduced latency and improved bandwidth

Performance and Reliability Benefits

Integrating the DELL VJWVJ network interface card into your infrastructure results in enhanced system responsiveness and reduced bottlenecks. The card is tailored for mission-critical tasks and supports the following:

• Load balancing and failover capabilities to maintain network uptime
• Optimized throughput with minimal power consumption
• Reliable traffic management under heavy workloads

Broadcom 5720 Controller Technology

At the heart of this mezzanine NIC is the Broadcom 5720 Ethernet controller, which delivers robust packet processing capabilities. Its native support for standard Ethernet protocols and virtualization enhancements make it suitable for a wide range of applications.

Highlights of Broadcom-Based Connectivity

• Efficient hardware acceleration for TCP/UDP traffic
• Advanced offloading technologies for CPU efficiency
• Enhanced driver compatibility with VMware, Windows Server, and Linux distributions

Mechanical Design and Compatibility

The low-profile, modular design of this OCP 3.0 card makes it an ideal fit for dense server racks. Purpose-built for Dell’s latest PowerEdge servers, it ensures optimal placement and heat dissipation within compact enclosures.

Compatible Server Platforms

• Works with PowerEdge models supporting OCP 3.0 slots
• Backed by Dell's extensive validation process for long-term reliability
• Non-blocking architecture ensures consistent packet forwarding across all ports

Enterprise-Grade Networking Solutions

This quad-port adapter supports a scalable approach to networking. Ideal for virtualized environments, high-volume transaction processing, and converged networks, it streamlines operations while lowering overhead.

Scalability and Versatility

• Supports network segmentation using VLAN tagging (802.1Q)
• Improved network efficiency with advanced traffic prioritization (QoS)
• Tailored for both small data centers and hyperscale cloud deployments

Use Case Scenarios

• Data-intensive workloads requiring multiple Gigabit links
• High-availability clusters benefiting from link aggregation
• Virtualized hosts needing high-throughput and multi-port redundancy

Technical Specifications Snapshot

• Part Number: VJWVJ
• Chipset: Broadcom 5720
• Port Configuration: 4 x 1G RJ-45
• Form Factor: OCP 3.0 Mezzanine Card
• Connectivity: 1GBASE-T over copper cabling

Advanced Feature Support

• Wake-on-LAN (WoL) capabilities
• PXE boot support for remote provisioning
• IEEE 802.3az Energy Efficient Ethernet compliance

Why Choose This NIC for Your Infrastructure?

Choosing the DELL VJWVJ Broadcom 5720 OCP NIC means investing in consistent performance, server compatibility, and forward-thinking infrastructure. Its multi-port design and protocol flexibility make it an essential component in scaling enterprise networks with minimal disruption.

Competitive Advantages

• Hardware-accelerated networking to reduce server load
• Cost-efficient compared to discrete standalone NICs
• Streamlined integration into Dell Open Compute Project hardware

Dell VJWVJ Broadcom Quad Port 5720 OCP 3.0 NIC Overview

The Dell VJWVJ Broadcom Quad Port 5720 OCP 3.0 NIC 1GBASE-T Mezzanine Card is a high-performance, enterprise-grade network interface card engineered for Dell PowerEdge servers. Designed using Broadcom’s reliable 5720 chipset, this OCP 3.0 mezzanine form factor NIC delivers consistent, energy-efficient 1GbE connectivity through four RJ45 copper ports. It is optimized for demanding virtualized and data-centric workloads in modern enterprise data centers.

Key Features and Capabilities

• Quad-port 1GbE throughput with support for advanced networking features.
• Broadcom 5720 chipset for proven compatibility and stability.
• OCP 3.0 form factor for space-efficient deployment in Dell PowerEdge systems.
• Energy-efficient Ethernet (EEE) and DMA Coalescing for reduced power consumption.
• Support for PXE boot, VLAN tagging, NIC partitioning (NPAR), and iSCSI boot.

Compatibility with Dell PowerEdge Servers

The VJWVJ 5720 mezzanine card is purpose-built for Dell’s PowerEdge server infrastructure. It integrates seamlessly with models such as the PowerEdge R740, R740xd, R640, and other OCP 3.0 compatible systems. The OCP 3.0 slot allows system designers to save PCIe slots for additional expansion cards while ensuring high-speed network connectivity without cabling clutter.

Understanding the Broadcom 5720 Chipset

The Broadcom 5720 chipset is a mature and widely adopted solution in the enterprise networking space. Known for its stable performance and compatibility with industry-standard protocols, this controller offers embedded management and advanced offload capabilities. The dual-core architecture of the 5720 ensures parallel processing of networking tasks, reducing the burden on server CPUs.

Performance Optimization and Data Offloading

Offloading capabilities are critical for reducing CPU utilization in high-traffic environments. The 5720 NIC supports TCP segmentation offload (TSO), large send offload (LSO), and large receive offload (LRO), enabling it to offload complex networking functions. This translates into improved application performance and reduced system latency.

Advanced Virtualization Support

The VJWVJ Broadcom 5720 NIC is tailored for virtualized infrastructures. With support for VMware ESXi, Microsoft Hyper-V, and KVM, this card enables virtual switch acceleration, VM queue support, and SR-IOV (Single Root I/O Virtualization), allowing direct access between virtual machines and the NIC for enhanced throughput.

SR-IOV and Virtualization Use Cases

SR-IOV technology creates multiple virtual functions (VFs) that can be assigned directly to VMs, reducing the overhead of virtual switch processing. This results in near-native performance for I/O-intensive applications such as high-frequency trading, video streaming, and real-time analytics.

OCP 3.0 Mezzanine Card Benefits

Open Compute Project (OCP) 3.0 is the latest standard in modular and scalable server component design. By using the OCP 3.0 mezzanine slot, Dell's VJWVJ NIC helps free up valuable PCIe expansion slots while maintaining a robust and scalable network architecture. This design is ideal for hyperscale environments where density and airflow management are critical.

Hot-Pluggable and Toolless Installation

The OCP 3.0 NIC form factor supports tool-less, hot-pluggable installation, significantly reducing the time required for maintenance or upgrades. This ease of use makes it suitable for dynamic data center environments and enterprises that prioritize operational efficiency.

Improved Airflow and Thermal Management

Designed in alignment with Dell’s thermal standards, the mezzanine card form factor promotes efficient airflow within server chassis. By removing the need for external cabling and optimizing card positioning, it reduces localized heat pockets and improves overall cooling performance.

Applications in Enterprise Networking

The Dell VJWVJ Quad Port 5720 NIC is a versatile network adapter suitable for a wide range of enterprise workloads. It can serve as the backbone for data transfer in environments such as private clouds, content delivery networks (CDNs), database clusters, and backup servers.

Support for Network Teaming and Load Balancing

Network interface teaming and load balancing are essential for maintaining uptime and throughput in enterprise settings. This NIC supports Link Aggregation Control Protocol (LACP) and other teaming methods to ensure redundancy and bandwidth optimization. This capability minimizes service disruptions during port or cable failures.

iSCSI Boot and SAN Integration

With iSCSI boot support, this card allows servers to boot from SAN (Storage Area Network) targets, reducing the need for local storage and improving manageability in large-scale deployments. This feature is especially valuable for VDI (Virtual Desktop Infrastructure) and blade environments where local storage is minimal or nonexistent.

Energy Efficiency and Power Management

Energy efficiency is a top priority in modern data centers. The VJWVJ Broadcom 5720 NIC features support for Energy Efficient Ethernet (EEE), which dynamically reduces power usage during low network traffic periods. Combined with DMA Coalescing and advanced thermal control, this card helps reduce the overall power draw of a server.

Environmental Certifications and Compliance

This Dell NIC meets multiple environmental and regulatory standards, including RoHS and WEEE compliance. Its design aligns with energy-saving initiatives, helping organizations lower operational costs and achieve sustainability targets.

Reliability and Enterprise-Grade Durability

Enterprise environments demand components with exceptional longevity and fault tolerance. The Dell VJWVJ NIC is built with high-quality components, rigorous testing standards, and Broadcom’s proven silicon reliability. It is also backed by Dell’s enterprise support and firmware update tools to ensure long-term viability in mission-critical environments.

Firmware Updates and Management Tools

The card supports Dell Lifecycle Controller and iDRAC management tools for remote firmware updates, diagnostics, and performance monitoring. This integration allows administrators to centrally manage hundreds of servers with minimal manual intervention, enhancing infrastructure scalability and reducing administrative burden.

Comparison with Other Network Interface Cards

Compared to other enterprise-class NICs such as the Intel X550-T4 or Mellanox ConnectX-4, the Broadcom 5720 NIC prioritizes reliability and mainstream compatibility over ultra-high bandwidth. While the Intel X550 provides 10GbE ports, the 5720's 1GbE interfaces are better suited for legacy systems, budget-conscious deployments, or applications with moderate bandwidth needs.

Use Case Differentiation

10GbE or 25GbE NICs are ideal for high-performance computing (HPC), but they are overkill for most business workloads. The Dell VJWVJ card’s quad 1GBASE-T design is more efficient for standard enterprise networks, administrative services, and low-latency applications that don't require massive throughput.

Deployment Scenarios in Edge and Core Networks

This NIC is equally effective in edge servers and core infrastructure. At the edge, it provides reliable connectivity for branch offices, security appliances, or caching servers. In the core, it plays a key role in management planes, cluster heartbeat connections, and out-of-band monitoring.

Redundant Architecture Implementation

For fault-tolerant network designs, this NIC can be deployed in a redundant configuration with dual or quad network paths. Through NIC teaming and intelligent routing, it minimizes single points of failure and enhances network availability for critical services.

Disaster Recovery and Business Continuity Planning

As part of a DR/BCP architecture, the VJWVJ NIC allows quick deployment of mirrored systems in secondary data centers. The quad-port design supports diverse subnet connections, critical for multi-path data replication and synchronization services between sites.

Support for Modern Protocols and Standards

The NIC is fully compliant with IPv4 and IPv6, supporting jumbo frames, VLAN tagging (IEEE 802.1Q), and priority queuing (IEEE 802.1p). These standards ensure the card operates effectively in modern and legacy network environments alike, promoting interoperability across systems.

Security and Network Access Control

Support for network access control protocols like 802.1x ensures secure authentication in enterprise deployments. Additionally, advanced checksum offloading and filtering features help mitigate packet manipulation attacks and reduce overhead on endpoint security appliances.

Scalability and Future-Proofing

Although it is a 1GbE NIC, the Dell VJWVJ card scales efficiently in multi-node deployments. In blade environments or modular server infrastructures, multiple NICs can be aggregated to create scalable mesh topologies or load-sharing clusters.

Modular Data Center Strategy Alignment

This mezzanine card fits well within Dell’s modular data center strategy, allowing organizations to build infrastructure incrementally while ensuring every module includes optimized network capacity. This approach is ideal for startups, educational institutions, and public sector data centers.