P28778-B21 HPE intel X710 10GBE 2Ports SFP+ OCP3 Network Adapter.

Optimized Network Performance with HPE Intel X710 10GbE Network Adapter

The P28778-B21 HPE Intel X710 10GbE 2-Port SFP+ OCP3 Network Adapter delivers high-speed, reliable connectivity for data-intensive environments. Designed for enterprise-grade servers, this adapter supports robust throughput, low latency, and streamlined virtualization functions. It's built on the trusted Intel X710 chipset and utilizes two SFP+ ports to ensure scalable and high-bandwidth communication, perfectly aligned with modern IT infrastructure requirements.

Intel X710 Chipset: Advanced Technology for Demanding Networks

At the heart of the P28778-B21 lies the Intel X710 Ethernet Controller, engineered to meet the demands of cloud-scale applications and software-defined infrastructures. The X710 chipset provides enhanced offload capabilities, improves CPU utilization, and supports a wide range of networking standards, including iSCSI, NFS, FCoE, and VXLAN. The result is greater efficiency across virtualized and non-virtualized environments.

Enhanced Network Efficiency

The adapter’s offload capabilities reduce server CPU load by handling network tasks independently. Key features such as Large Send Offload (LSO), Large Receive Offload (LRO), and TCP segmentation offload (TSO) drastically reduce latency, making this network adapter ideal for high-performance computing (HPC), large-scale data transfers, and dense virtualization environments.

SR-IOV and Virtualization Support

The P28778-B21 supports Single Root I/O Virtualization (SR-IOV), enabling multiple virtual machines to share a single network interface efficiently. This is critical in virtualized environments, allowing streamlined performance while reducing hardware footprint. It also supports VMware NetQueue and Microsoft Virtual Machine Queue (VMQ), enhancing I/O throughput on multi-core systems.

10GbE SFP+ Connectivity: Superior Bandwidth and Flexibility

Equipped with two SFP+ ports, the adapter offers exceptional 10-gigabit Ethernet connectivity. The use of SFP+ modules allows flexibility in cabling choices, whether through direct attach copper (DAC), active optical cables (AOC), or fiber transceivers. This adaptability ensures seamless integration into existing network infrastructures.

High-Speed Data Transfer

The 10GbE connectivity delivers high-speed, low-latency network data transfer ideal for mission-critical applications such as cloud computing, enterprise databases, and AI workloads. With two ports, the adapter offers both redundancy and load balancing for high availability and optimal performance.

Compatibility with HPE Servers

Fully validated for compatibility with HPE ProLiant Gen10 and Gen10 Plus servers, the P28778-B21 integrates seamlessly into HPE server platforms. It utilizes the OCP 3.0 form factor, ensuring tool-less installation and easy serviceability in Open Compute environments.

OCP 3.0 Form Factor: Future-Ready Architecture

The Open Compute Project (OCP) 3.0 form factor is a newer, more robust design standard for server adapters. It introduces several physical and functional enhancements that improve airflow, thermal efficiency, and hot-swappability in data centers. The HPE Intel X710 OCP3 card features an updated edge connector and mounting bracket, allowing for simplified upgrades and optimized placement inside server enclosures.

Hot-Swappable Design

With hot-swappable support, this adapter minimizes downtime during maintenance or upgrades. This feature is essential in enterprise environments where continuous uptime is a priority, such as financial services, healthcare systems, and cloud-hosting providers.

Thermal and Power Efficiency

The OCP 3.0 design optimizes thermal management by enhancing airflow around the card’s components. This efficiency reduces the server's overall cooling requirement and increases operational lifespan while lowering TCO (total cost of ownership).

Advanced Security Features

The P28778-B21 supports a comprehensive range of hardware-enhanced security technologies, ensuring safe and trusted data transmission. Features such as Intel® Platform Trust Technology (PTT), Secure Boot, and Secure Firmware Update provide multiple layers of protection against cyber threats and firmware-level attacks.

Hardware Root of Trust

With secure firmware that supports signed images and recovery capabilities, the adapter establishes a hardware root of trust. This safeguards the adapter against unauthorized firmware updates, enhancing the overall security posture of enterprise networks.

Performance and Reliability in Virtualized Environments

Virtualized infrastructures demand high levels of throughput and network flexibility. The P28778-B21 is optimized for leading hypervisors and supports features that reduce the CPU burden during heavy I/O traffic.

Offload Technologies for Reduced CPU Utilization

By offloading compute-intensive network tasks, such as checksumming, segmentation, and encryption, the adapter allows the host server to allocate more resources toward application workloads. This results in better VM density and reduced I/O bottlenecks.

Optimized for VMware, Microsoft Hyper-V, and KVM

Certified across major virtualization platforms, including VMware ESXi, Microsoft Hyper-V, and Linux KVM, the adapter supports key features like VXLAN, NVGRE, and GENEVE offloads, enabling efficient tunneling and encapsulation in multi-tenant environments.

Flexible Deployment Options and Use Cases

The P28778-B21 is suitable for a wide range of deployment scenarios. Whether for private cloud hosting, enterprise LANs, or data center backbone networks, this adapter delivers the speed and reliability needed for always-on operations.

Use in Cloud and Hyperscale Data Centers

Cloud service providers can rely on the adapter's scalability and virtualization support to meet the evolving needs of containerized and virtualized workloads. Its high throughput ensures that multiple tenants can share infrastructure without compromising on speed or security.

Ideal for High-Performance Applications

Organizations running data analytics, machine learning, or high-frequency trading platforms benefit from the low-latency and deterministic performance of the X710-based adapter. Its PCIe Gen3 x8 interface ensures rapid data exchange between the server and the network.

Data Center Backbone and Aggregation Layers

In network core or aggregation layers, the adapter enables seamless connectivity between top-of-rack switches, storage appliances, and compute nodes. Its dual-port design allows redundant connections, reducing the risk of a single point of failure.

Comprehensive Management and Monitoring Tools

The P28778-B21 includes robust management support, compatible with HPE management platforms such as HPE InfoSight, HPE OneView, and third-party monitoring tools.

Support for DMTF NC-SI and SMASH-CLP

Through the NC-SI (Network Controller Sideband Interface) and SMASH-CLP (System Management Architecture for Server Hardware Command Line Protocol), administrators can configure and monitor the adapter independently of the OS. This enables faster diagnostics and remote management even when the primary server OS is offline.

Compatibility with PXE and UEFI Boot Environments

The adapter supports both legacy PXE booting and modern UEFI boot modes, ensuring seamless integration into various deployment environments, including diskless servers or thin clients using iSCSI boot.

Reliability, Availability, and Serviceability (RAS) Features

RAS features ensure continuous availability, simplified troubleshooting, and reduced service costs. The P28778-B21 leverages advanced diagnostics, health monitoring, and logging features to minimize downtime and speed up incident response.

Error Detection and Recovery

The adapter supports ECC (Error Correction Code) memory buffers and includes firmware-based watchdogs that detect and auto-recover from faults. This prevents network outages due to transient hardware failures or firmware errors.

Comprehensive LED Indicators

Status LEDs on each SFP+ port provide real-time link and activity indicators, simplifying physical diagnostics for technicians and IT personnel. These lights help in quickly identifying port usage, speed, and connectivity issues.

Environmentally Conscious and Energy Efficient

With a low-power design and thermal efficiency, the P28778-B21 helps organizations meet sustainability goals without compromising performance. Its compliance with RoHS and other environmental regulations ensures that it aligns with global green data center initiatives.

Power Efficient Ethernet (EEE)

Energy Efficient Ethernet (IEEE 802.3az) reduces power consumption during periods of low data activity by adjusting the link state. This energy-saving feature is particularly valuable in large-scale deployments where energy efficiency can lead to significant cost savings.