Network Interface Card Dell INTEL X710-DA2 10GbE PCIe

Dell INTEL X710-DA2 10GbE PCIe is a dual-port 10 Gigabit Ethernet network interface card built on the Intel X710 family of adapters. Designed for servers and high-performance workstations, the card delivers two SFP+ ports that support optical modules or direct attach copper (DAC) cables, hardware offload for TCP/IP processing, and features aimed at reducing CPU load and latency in demanding networking environments.

Advantages

The adapter provides 10GbE throughput on two independent ports, enabling high-bandwidth uplinks and aggregation. Hardware acceleration and offload capabilities reduce host CPU utilization for TCP/IP, VLAN tagging and checksum operations, while the Intel chipset ensures compatibility with common server operating systems and virtualization platforms. Compact PCIe form factor and standard slot compatibility make it easy to install in many server and workstation chassis.

Suitable for

• Server uplinks and aggregation in data center topologies
• Virtualization hosts that require multiple high-speed network interfaces
• Storage networks and iSCSI traffic with low-latency demands
• High-throughput backup, replication and database synchronization

When it may not be suitable

This 10GbE card is not a drop-in solution for environments that only require Gigabit Ethernet or where network fabric is limited to copper RJ45 ports without a compatible SFP+ to RJ45 module. It also does not provide built-in management features found on some converged network adapters that integrate storage and networking offloads beyond standard TCP/IP acceleration.

Key specifications

• Interface: PCI Express (standard half-height/full-height card compatibility)
• Ports: 2 × 10 Gigabit SFP+ ports (supports optical SFP+ modules and DAC cables)
• Chipset family: Intel X710-class architecture supporting hardware offloads
• Performance features: TCP/IP offload, checksum offload, VLAN acceleration, receive-side scaling
• Intended use: Server and workstation networking for high-throughput, low-latency applications

How to use

Install the card into an available PCIe slot on a powered-down server or workstation following standard electrostatic discharge precautions. Secure the card to the chassis bracket and connect SFP+ modules or a DAC cable to the SFP+ ports. After boot, install or verify vendor or Intel drivers appropriate for your operating system and configure network settings, link aggregation, VLANs or offload features as required by your environment.

What to consider before purchase

• Compatibility of server PCIe slot voltage and physical slot size (ensure half-height or full-height bracket fits)
• Type of SFP+ modules or DAC cables required for existing fiber or copper infrastructure
• Driver and OS support for the Intel X710 chipset in your server operating system and hypervisor
• Cooling and chassis airflow to accommodate additional high-speed network hardware

Usage recommendations

For optimal performance, use certified SFP+ modules or passive/active DACs that match your switch or transceiver specifications, keep drivers updated to the latest vendor-recommended version, and configure hardware offloads and RSS to balance CPU load across cores in virtualized or multi-core hosts.