E10G30-F2 Synology PCI-E 3.0 X8 2 Ports 10GBPS Ethernet Network Adapter

Product Overview of Synology E10G30-F2 Network Adapter

Elevate your compatible Synology storage system's network throughput with this high-performance dual-port SFP+ add-in card, engineered for seamless integration and exceptional data transfer speeds.

Key Specifications

• Manufacturer: Synology
• Part Number: E10G30-F2
• Product Type: Network Adapter

Core Hardware Architecture

• The card is built upon a robust hardware foundation designed for reliability and peak performance within network-attached storage environments.

Physical Dimensions and Interface

• Host Connection: Utilizes a PCI Express 3.0 x8 slot for maximum bandwidth availability.
• Form Factor Dimensions: Compact design measuring 69mm (H) x 168mm (W) x 17.3mm (D).

Environmental Operating Parameters

• Recommended Operational Climate: 0°C to 40°C (32°F to 104°F).
• Non-Operational Storage Conditions: Can be safely stored at temperatures from -20°C to 60°C (-5°F to 140°F).
• Humidity Tolerance: Operates reliably at 5% to 95% relative humidity.

Advanced Networking Performance

• This adapter is engineered to deliver cutting-edge network functionality, supporting the latest protocols and offloading technologies to ensure efficient data flow.

Protocol Compliance and Data Rates

• Standards Adherence: Fully compliant with IEEE 802.3ae for 10 Gigabit Ethernet and IEEE 802.3ad for Link Aggregation (LACP).
• Theoretical Maximum Speed: Supports data transfer rates up to 10 gigabits per second on each port.

Optimization and Offloading Capabilities

To maximize system efficiency and reduce CPU overhead, the card supports a comprehensive suite of features:

• TCP Segmentation Offload (TSO) & Generic Segmentation Offload (GSO)
• Receive Side Scaling (RSS) & Transmit Side Scaling (TSS)
• Large Receive Offload (LRO) and TCP/UDP Checksum Offload
• Jumbo Frames support, configurable from 1.5KB to 9KB
• Single Root I/O Virtualization (SR-IOV) support

Compatible Synology Systems

• This expansion card is certified for use with a wide array of Synology NAS models, ensuring broad application across business and enterprise solutions.

Supported Product Series and Models

• FS Series: FS6400, FS3600, FS3410, FS3400, FS2500
• HD Series: HD6500
• SA Series: SA6400, SA3610, SA3600, SA3410, SA3400, SA3400D, SA3200D
• UC Series: UC3400, UC3200
• 25 Series: RS2825RP+, DS1825+
• 23 Series: RS2423RP+, RS2423+, DS1823XS+
• 22 Series: RS822RP+, RS822+, DS3622XS+, DS2422+
• 21 Series: RS4021XS+, RS3621XS+, RS3621RPXS, RS2821RP+, RS2421RP+, RS2421+, RS1221RP+, RS1221+, DS1821+, DS1621XS+, DS1621+
• 20 Series: RS820RP+, RS820+
• 19 Series: RS1619XS+, DS2419+, DS2419+II, DS1819+
• 18 Series: RS3618XS, RS2818RP+, RS2418RP+, RS2418+
• 17 Series: RS4017XS+, RS3617XS+, RS3617RPXS, DS3617XS, DS3617XSII

E10G30-F2 Synology PCI-E 3.0 X8 2 Ports Network Adapter

The E10G30-F2 Synology PCI-E 3.0 x8 2 Ports 10GbE SFP+ 10Gbps Ethernet Network Adapter represents a high-performance network expansion option tailored for Synology NAS systems and compatible servers. Designed to deliver low-latency, high-throughput connectivity, this adapter allows storage arrays, virtualization hosts, and high-demand workstations to move large datasets faster and more efficiently. Engineered for reliability and interoperability, the E10G30-F2 brings enterprise-grade 10 Gigabit Ethernet capabilities into environments where bandwidth and responsiveness are critical.

Performance Characteristics

The E10G30-F2 delivers 10Gbps per port using SFP+ form-factor transceivers, enabling flexible fiber or DAC (Direct Attach Copper) connectivity depending on deployment needs. When installed in a PCI-E 3.0 x8 slot, the adapter takes advantage of a wide bus to minimize bottlenecks between the host and the network. This results in sustained high throughput for large file transfers, faster backups and restores, and improved performance for I/O-bound applications such as virtualization, database services, and media editing workflows. Latency is reduced compared to 1GbE alternatives, making the adapter suitable for latency-sensitive workloads including iSCSI, NFS, and SMB file sharing.

Throughput and Bandwidth Management

With two 10Gbps SFP+ ports, the adapter supports aggregate bandwidth scenarios and link aggregation configurations for elevated throughput and redundancy. Bandwidth management is achieved through host and NAS-level configurations, allowing administrators to allocate network resources effectively. In environments that support link aggregation protocols, the E10G30-F2 can be used to combine ports for higher effective bandwidth, or to create high-availability links that minimize downtime in the event of a port or cable failure.

Latency and CPU Offload

The adapter is designed to provide efficient packet processing with hardware offload features that reduce CPU overhead on the host system. Offloading tasks such as checksum calculation, large send offload (LSO), and receive side scaling (RSS) help maintain server responsiveness during heavy network utilization. By shifting repetitive network processing tasks to the network interface, the E10G30-F2 frees CPU cycles for storage tasks, application processing, and virtualization workloads.

Compatibility and System Integration

Synology designed the E10G30-F2 to integrate seamlessly with a wide range of Synology NAS models that include compatible PCIe expansion slots. In addition to Synology systems, the adapter is widely compatible with common server platforms that adhere to standard PCIe specifications and provide the necessary x8 electrical slot. Firmware and driver support are provided for Synology DSM (DiskStation Manager) with built-in network management tools, while many mainstream operating systems offer broad driver support out of the box or via vendor-supplied packages.

Use Cases and Deployment Scenarios

This adapter is ideal for organizations and professionals that need faster-than-gigabit networking for storage-intensive workloads. Typical deployments include media production houses moving multi-gigabyte video files to central NAS storage, virtualization clusters where virtual machine disk I/O benefits directly from reduced network contention, and enterprise backup systems where rapid data ingest and retrieval accelerate backup windows and recovery point objectives.

Storage Acceleration and Backup Optimization

For backup and archival processes, 10GbE connectivity shortens backup windows substantially. The E10G30-F2 enables parallel, high-speed transfers from multiple servers to a central NAS, minimizing backup time and reducing the backup impact on production networks. Rapid restores are also made possible, which is essential for recovery time objectives (RTO) in business continuity planning.

Virtualization and High-Density Workloads

Virtualization environments benefit from the adapter’s increased bandwidth and offload features. By provisioning 10GbE connections to hypervisor hosts, administrators can allocate more network capacity to virtual machines, cluster traffic, and storage backends, improving performance for services that demand high I/O rates. The adapter supports scenarios where storage and VM traffic coexist on the same physical host while maintaining throughput isolation through VLANs and QoS policies.

High-Performance File Sharing and Collaboration

Teams that collaborate on large files—such as designers, CAD engineers, and video editors—will see reduced wait times when accessing shared volumes over 10GbE. The adapter enhances collaborative workflows by enabling simultaneous fast access to assets stored on central NAS devices, which minimizes bottlenecks and accelerates project timelines.

Link Aggregation, VLANs, and Jumbo Frames

Link aggregation settings should be matched end-to-end across switches and connected devices to ensure proper operation. VLAN tagging is supported and recommended for separating traffic types—such as management, storage, and client access—so that sensitive storage traffic can be isolated from general LAN traffic. Enabling jumbo frames can improve throughput for large transfers, but network-wide support for the same MTU size is necessary to avoid fragmentation and performance degradation.

Cabling and Transceiver Selection

Selection between SFP+ optical transceivers and DAC cables depends on distance and budget. DAC cables are cost-effective for short-reach, within-rack or adjacent-rack connections, providing low latency and low power consumption. For longer distances, multimode or single-mode fiber paired with the appropriate SFP+ module provides the reach required for data center interconnects. When choosing transceivers, verify the module types and optical specifications with the switch or target device to guarantee compatibility and performance.

Security and Network Management

Network security remains critical when adding 10GbE capability. Synology DSM offers integrated tools for firewall configuration, network monitoring, and secure management channels which should be used in conjunction with physical network design best practices. Administrators can implement ACLs, Layer 2 and Layer 3 security measures, and port-level policies on managed switches to restrict unauthorized access to storage networks. Monitoring traffic flows and setting up alerts for anomalous patterns helps maintain a secure environment.

Reliability, Redundancy, and High Availability

To ensure continuous availability, the E10G30-F2 can be deployed in redundant topologies with multiple network paths and link aggregation. In clustered NAS configurations, distributing traffic across multiple adapters and switches reduces single points of failure. For mission-critical systems, pairing the E10G30-F2 with enterprise-class switches that support rapid failover and LACP helps maintain connectivity even during component failures.

Failover Strategies and Network Design

Implementing multi-path designs that include separate physical switches, fabric segregation, and redundant cabling reduces the risk of network outages. Combining the adapter with advanced routing or software-defined networking features on NAS or server platforms yields more resilient network fabrics, enabling automatic failover of services and minimizing downtime.

Comparison With Other 10GbE Options

When comparing the E10G30-F2 to other 10GbE adapters, key differentiators include Synology’s tight integration with DSM, optimized driver support for Synology NAS models, and a focus on storage-oriented features. Third-party 10GbE NICs may offer similar raw throughput but could lack streamlined integration with Synology management utilities, or require additional driver installation steps. Other form factors—such as RJ45-based 10GBASE-T adapters—offer copper RJ45 compatibility and simpler cabling in certain environments but often consume more power and have higher latency compared to SFP+ solutions for equivalent distances.

When To Choose SFP+ Over 10GBASE-T

SFP+ is preferred for data center and rack-to-rack connectivity where DAC or fiber can be used, offering lower latency and power consumption. 10GBASE-T (RJ45) is convenient for environments that lack SFP+ infrastructure and where backward compatibility with existing copper wiring is prioritized. The E10G30-F2’s SFP+ ports make it a favorable choice for high-density, low-latency deployments.

Energy Efficiency and Thermal Considerations

Energy consumption is an important factor in storage-dense environments where many devices operate continuously. The E10G30-F2 is designed with power efficiency in mind, balancing performance with reasonable power draw to help maintain thermal budgets in compact NAS enclosures. Proper chassis airflow and heat dissipation must be maintained, particularly when combining multiple expansion cards and high-performance drives in a single enclosure.

Environmental and Operational Factors

Ambient temperature and sustained network load can impact adapter temperature. Administrators should ensure adequate ventilation and monitor hardware temperatures through system health utilities. In high-performance installations, grouping high-heat components strategically and maintaining recommended operating conditions extends the life of both the adapter and the host system.

Interoperability

Interoperability often hinges on matching link settings and ensuring that both ends of the connection support the negotiated features. When problems arise, testing with known-good DAC cables or a direct connection to a compatible switch port helps isolate whether the issue is the adapter, wiring, or switch configuration. Updating firmware on both the adapter and the switch can resolve subtle compatibility issues.

Advanced Features and Enterprise Integration

For advanced deployments, the adapter supports features that align with enterprise networking practices, such as support for VLAN tagging, large send offload, and receive side scaling to optimize multi-core server processing. Integration with storage protocols like iSCSI and NFS is transparent, enabling the adapter to serve as a backbone for storage clusters and high-performance NAS systems. For orchestration and automation, APIs available in Synology DSM can be used to script network changes and monitor adapter health programmatically.

Scalability and Future-Proofing

As storage needs grow, scaling network capacity through additional E10G30-F2 cards or complementary 10GbE switches allows gradual expansion without expensive forklift upgrades. The SFP+ standard remains widely supported, offering a migration path to higher-speed fabrics in the future while ensuring current investments remain compatible with evolving infrastructures.

Summary of Key Benefits

The E10G30-F2 Synology PCI-E 3.0 x8 2 Ports 10GbE SFP+ 10Gbps Ethernet Network Adapter provides a compelling combination of high throughput, low latency, and Synology-oriented integration. It empowers storage administrators, IT managers, and creative teams to handle bandwidth-heavy operations with ease, while offering the reliability and feature set expected in professional environments. From accelerating backups to improving virtualization density, the adapter is a practical upgrade for environments seeking the performance advantages of 10GbE networking.

Further Reading and Resources

Administrators are encouraged to consult Synology’s official compatibility lists, DSM documentation, and community forums for model-specific guidance, recommended firmware versions, and real-world deployment experiences that can help tailor implementations to unique organizational needs.