Broadcom NetXtreme N225P 2 x 25G OCP 3.0 Internal Fiber 25000 Mbit/s

The Broadcom NetXtreme N225P is a high-performance internal network adapter designed for enterprise and cloud-scale environments. Utilizing the OCP 3.0 form factor, this dual-port 25G fiber card provides reliable, high-speed connectivity for modern data centers. It is built on the robust NetXtreme-E Series architecture, integrating advanced hardware acceleration to handle demanding networking and storage workloads efficiently.

Advantages

This adapter significantly enhances server efficiency by offloading complex networking tasks from the CPU to dedicated hardware engines. By utilizing advanced flow processing and tunneling protocol support, it reduces CPU utilization while maintaining high throughput. The inclusion of TruFlow technology allows for increased virtual machine density, enabling better resource utilization in virtualized environments. Furthermore, the card supports modern networking standards such as RoCE, SDN, and NFV, ensuring compatibility with evolving data center infrastructures and facilitating seamless integration into large-scale storage and computing clusters.

Suitable for

• High-performance computing clusters
• Enterprise and cloud-scale data centers
• Telecommunications infrastructure
• Machine learning and data analytics workloads
• Storage disaggregation and NVMe-oF applications

When it may not be suitable

This network adapter is specifically designed for OCP 3.0 compliant server slots and is not compatible with standard PCIe slots found in consumer desktop computers or workstations. It is also not intended for low-bandwidth environments where 10G or 25G fiber connectivity is not required.

Key specifications

• Interface: OCP 3.0
• Connectivity: Dual-port 25G fiber
• Data transfer rate: Up to 25000 Mbit/s
• Architecture: NetXtreme-E Series
• Supported protocols: RoCE, Geneve, VXLAN, NVGRE

How to use

Installation requires a server chassis equipped with an OCP 3.0 slot. Ensure the server is powered down and disconnected from the power source before inserting the card into the designated slot. Once physically installed, secure the adapter according to the server manufacturer's guidelines. After booting the server, install the appropriate Broadcom drivers for your operating system to enable the network interfaces. Configure the network settings through your server's management interface or operating system network configuration tools.

What to consider before purchase

• Verify that your server chassis supports the OCP 3.0 form factor.
• Ensure your network infrastructure supports 25G fiber connections.
• Check for compatibility with your specific server operating system.
• Confirm that your existing cabling is compatible with the fiber transceivers used.

Usage recommendations

For optimal performance in high-traffic environments, ensure that the server firmware and network drivers are updated to the latest versions provided by the manufacturer. Utilize the hardware acceleration features to maximize CPU availability for application-level tasks.