Intel Ethernet Converged Network Adapter X710-DA2 - Dual 10GbE SFP+ PCIe 3.0 x8 Low Profile

Line-rate 10GbE throughput on two SFP+ ports from a single PCIe 3.0 x8 slot—the Intel X710-DA2 is built for demanding data center and enterprise workloads. Powered by the Intel Ethernet Controller XL710-BM2, it offloads VXLAN, NVGRE, and GENEVE encapsulations in hardware, freeing CPU cycles for applications. With support for iSCSI, FCoE, and Data Center Bridging, it consolidates storage and data traffic onto one converged fabric.

Overview

The Intel Ethernet Converged Network Adapter X710-DA2 is a dual-port 10 Gigabit Ethernet PCIe adapter designed for servers and high-performance workstations. It features two SFP+ cages, supporting 10Gbps and 1Gbps speeds with compatible transceivers. The low-profile MD2 form factor fits both full-height and low-profile chassis, and the PCIe 3.0 x8 interface ensures ample bandwidth for both ports operating simultaneously. Intel Virtualization Technology for Connectivity (VT-c) reduces I/O overhead in virtualized environments, while stateless offloads like TCP/UDP checksum and segmentation improve efficiency.

What stands out

• Dual 10GbE SFP+ ports for high-speed, flexible connectivity
• Hardware offloads for VXLAN, NVGRE, and GENEVE network virtualization
• Intel XL710-BM2 controller with advanced power management
• Low-profile MD2 bracket included, compatible with standard and small form factor servers
• Comprehensive OS support: Windows Server, Linux, FreeBSD, VMware ESX
• Jumbo frame support up to 9.5 KB for reduced CPU utilization
• PXE boot and iSCSI remote boot support

Technical details

• Controller: Intel Ethernet Controller XL710-BM2
• Host Interface: PCI Express 3.0 x8
• Ports: 2 x SFP+
• Data Rate: 10 Gbps per port (supports 1 Gbps with compatible transceivers)
• Form Factor: Low Profile MD2 PCIe Add-in Card
• Network Standards: IEEE 802.3ae, 802.1Q, 802.3ad, 802.1p
• Virtualization: Intel VT-c, VXLAN, NVGRE, GENEVE offloads
• Offloads: iSCSI, FCoE, Data Center Bridging (DCB), stateless offloads
• Jumbo Frames: Up to 9.5 KB
• Power Consumption: 10.5 W typical
• LED Indicators: Link/Activity

Our verdict

The Intel X710-DA2 is a proven workhorse for converged data center environments, delivering robust 10GbE connectivity with hardware virtualization offloads and broad OS compatibility. Its low-profile design and efficient power envelope make it an excellent choice for dense server deployments.