Network Daughter Card Dell BC5720 1GB 4PORT NDC RV23K for Dell servers

The Dell BC5720 1GB 4PORT NDC RV23K is a network daughter card designed to expand the integrated networking capabilities of compatible Dell PowerEdge servers. It provides four independent 1 Gigabit Ethernet ports on a single-NDC form factor, allowing additional physical network connections without occupying standard PCIe slots. The card is intended for use in enterprise and data center environments where increased port density, redundancy or traffic segregation is required.

Advantages

This network daughter card offers four 1GbE ports in a compact NDC format that integrates directly with supported Dell server models. The design preserves server expansion slots while enabling multiple simultaneous network links for higher connectivity density. It supports common server networking scenarios such as link aggregation and separate management or storage networks, reducing the need for external switches for basic segmentation.

Suitable for

• Expanding onboard network ports on compatible Dell PowerEdge servers
• Server virtualization hosts requiring multiple physical NICs for VM traffic separation
• Segregating storage and management traffic within a rack or chassis
• Providing additional physical interfaces for redundancy and failover setups

When it may not be suitable

The BC5720 is limited to four 1 Gbps Ethernet ports and therefore may not meet bandwidth requirements for environments that demand 10GbE or faster connectivity. It is a form-factor-specific NDC; it will not be compatible with non-Dell servers or Dell models that do not support this particular NDC interface. For workloads requiring hardware offload features, advanced RDMA or higher throughput per port, consider higher-speed adapters.

Key specifications

• Port count: 4 x 1 Gigabit Ethernet ports
• Interface: Network Daughter Card (NDC) designed for compatible Dell server NDC slots
• Form factor: NDC, low-profile module for direct server integration
• Intended use: Enterprise/server networking for increased port density and segregation

How to use

Install the BC5720 NDC into the designated NDC slot on a supported Dell server following the server manufacturer’s service manual. After physical installation, boot the server and verify that the operating system detects the new network interfaces. Install or update Dell-recommended network drivers and firmware to ensure full functionality and stability. Configure each port in the server OS or hypervisor for the desired role: management, storage, VM traffic, link aggregation, or redundancy. Test network connectivity and failover behavior as part of deployment validation.

What to consider before purchase

• Confirm server compatibility with the NDC form factor and this specific Dell NDC model
• Assess whether 1GbE per port meets performance and latency requirements for your workloads
• Check driver and firmware availability for your server OS or hypervisor version
• Plan network topology to ensure the additional ports integrate with existing switches and VLANs

Usage recommendations

Use the BC5720 for increasing physical NIC density in legacy or mixed-speed server environments where 1GbE is sufficient. Reserve higher-speed adapters for traffic types that require greater throughput or advanced offload capabilities. Maintain up-to-date drivers and firmware from Dell to ensure network stability and compatibility.