Intel XL710QDA2G2P5 QSFP+ PCI-E 2 Ports 40GBPS Converged Network Adapter

XL710QDA2G2P5 Intel 40GBPS QSFP+ PCI-E 2 Ports Converged Adapter Overview

The XL710QDA2G2P5 Intel 40GBPS QSFP+ PCI-E 3.0 x8 Low Profile Ethernet 2 Ports Converged Network Adapter is a high-performance network adapter designed for data centers and high-demand networking environments. As the name suggests, this converged network adapter combines both Ethernet and Fibre Channel over Ethernet (FCoE) capabilities into one unified solution. It supports 40Gbps speeds via QSFP+ and provides dual ports to offer reliable and scalable connectivity for enterprises looking to maximize their network performance.

Key Features of the XL710QDA2G2P5 Intel 40GBPS Network Adapter

The XL710QDA2G2P5 network adapter brings together exceptional features that make it ideal for modern data centers. Some of the key highlights include:

• 40Gbps Throughput: Supports high-speed data transfer with up to 40Gbps for enhanced network efficiency and reduced latency.
• Dual Ports: The two ports offer improved bandwidth distribution, load balancing, and redundancy for critical workloads.
• Low Profile Form Factor: Ideal for space-constrained servers and rackmount chassis, the low-profile design ensures easy integration into a variety of systems.
• PCI-E 3.0 x8 Interface: The adapter leverages the PCI Express 3.0 x8 interface for maximum data bandwidth, ensuring quick data communication between the adapter and the server motherboard.
• Converged Network: Supports Ethernet and Fibre Channel traffic simultaneously, optimizing storage and network performance over a single connection.

Choose the XL710QDA2G2P5 for Your Network Infrastructure

Choosing the right network adapter is essential for maximizing network throughput, reducing congestion, and enabling efficient storage access. The XL710QDA2G2P5 is an excellent choice due to its:

• Versatility: Suitable for a wide range of applications, from high-performance computing (HPC) to virtualization, cloud computing, and storage environments.
• Scalability: The 40Gbps throughput and dual-port design allow you to scale your infrastructure with minimal additional investment in new equipment.
• Reliability: Intel's reputation for providing high-quality network adapters ensures that the XL710QDA2G2P5 will operate reliably in even the most demanding environments.

Understanding the Converged Network Adapter Technology

Converged network adapters (CNAs) like the XL710QDA2G2P5 combine the functionalities of traditional Ethernet and Fibre Channel network interfaces. These adapters consolidate network and storage traffic into a single network connection, simplifying infrastructure and reducing operational costs. CNAs are particularly beneficial in environments where high throughput, low latency, and flexibility are essential for optimizing both data and storage network functions.

Benefits of Converged Network Adapters

Converged Network Adapters provide a variety of benefits, particularly for data centers and enterprises looking to streamline their network and storage systems:

• Cost Savings: By reducing the need for separate network cards for Ethernet and Fibre Channel traffic, CNAs can significantly lower hardware and operational costs.
• Simplified Management: With a converged network, administrators can manage both network and storage traffic through a single interface, simplifying network management tasks.
• Higher Efficiency: By merging network and storage traffic into one adapter, the system ensures better utilization of available bandwidth, minimizing the risk of bottlenecks.

Features of Intel's Converged Network Adapter

The Intel XL710QDA2G2P5 adapter is specifically designed to support a unified architecture that enables:

• Fibre Channel over Ethernet (FCoE): FCoE provides a high-performance method for transporting Fibre Channel traffic over Ethernet, allowing storage area network (SAN) solutions to leverage Ethernet networks.
• Support for Data Center Bridging (DCB): Ensures lossless Ethernet communication, critical for ensuring high-quality storage traffic alongside network traffic.
• Optimized Performance: Intel's custom design ensures that this adapter delivers maximum performance and reliability, handling heavy data loads without compromising speed.

Performance & Speed Achieving 40Gbps Throughput

40Gbps for High-Speed Connectivity

In today's data-driven world, speed is paramount. The XL710QDA2G2P5 network adapter offers an impressive 40Gbps throughput, making it one of the fastest network adapters in its class. With 40Gbps, users can expect:

• Faster Data Transfers: Whether transferring large files, managing virtual machines, or running data-intensive applications, the 40Gbps speed reduces data transfer times, improving overall system efficiency.
• Lower Latency: Enhanced speed also reduces latency, allowing for quicker responses in real-time applications, which is crucial for industries like finance, telecommunications, and scientific computing.
• Improved Application Performance: The increased bandwidth ensures that applications requiring large amounts of data can operate without bottlenecks, enhancing the user experience.

How 40Gbps Improves Network Scalability

Scalability is an important factor for enterprises as they grow and expand their network. By using a network adapter that supports 40Gbps throughput, businesses can accommodate the increasing data flow without the need for significant infrastructure changes. This scalability ensures that the XL710QDA2G2P5 will remain a reliable and cost-effective solution for years to come, even as network demands increase.

Form Factor and Compatibility

Low Profile Design for Space-Constrained Systems

The XL710QDA2G2P5 features a low-profile design, which is essential for use in compact server environments. The reduced height allows the adapter to fit in servers with limited space, such as rack-mounted servers or blade servers. This makes it an excellent choice for:

• Dense Server Configurations: Ideal for high-density data center environments, where space is at a premium.
• Edge Computing: Well-suited for edge devices that require powerful networking capabilities in a compact form factor.
• Small-Scale Servers: Perfect for small businesses or distributed enterprise setups where the server chassis may not offer much space for full-size cards.

PCI Express 3.0 x8 Interface

The PCI-E 3.0 x8 interface provides significant bandwidth and data transfer capabilities, which is crucial for handling high-speed data traffic. This interface is backward compatible with older PCI-E versions, ensuring that the adapter can work with a wide variety of server systems without compatibility issues. Additionally, the x8 lane configuration ensures that the adapter can operate at full capacity without throttling performance.

Server Compatibility

The XL710QDA2G2P5 is compatible with most modern servers that support PCI-E 3.0 x8 slots. It's designed to integrate seamlessly with Intel-based and other leading server architectures, making it a versatile option for diverse data center environments.

Applications of the XL710QDA2G2P5 Intel 40GBPS Network Adapter

Data Centers and Virtualization

The XL710QDA2G2P5 excels in virtualization environments, where it can handle multiple virtual machines (VMs) running simultaneously. By utilizing its dual ports and 40Gbps throughput, it ensures that virtualized systems can communicate efficiently, reducing bottlenecks in the network layer. It's also ideal for:

• Storage Virtualization: With support for FCoE, the adapter can bridge storage and network functions, ensuring data storage access is as fast as the network itself.
• Cloud Environments: In cloud data centers, where multi-tenant environments are common, the XL710QDA2G2P5 provides secure, high-speed communication across various network layers.

High-Performance Computing

In high-performance computing (HPC) applications, the XL710QDA2G2P5 helps process massive datasets quickly and efficiently, reducing the time required for complex computations and simulations. This performance improvement is crucial in fields such as:

• Scientific Research: Researchers in fields such as genomics, particle physics, and climate modeling can benefit from the faster data throughput enabled by the XL710QDA2G2P5.
• Financial Services: In trading systems where milliseconds matter, the adapter ensures that high-frequency trading platforms remain responsive under heavy load.