Network adapter MicroConnect PCIe x8 Dual RJ45 10 GbE X550, PCIe x8, Dual RJ45 10GbE

MicroConnect PCIe x8 Dual RJ45 10 GbE X550 is a network adapter that provides two 10 Gigabit Ethernet RJ45 ports over a PCIe x8 interface. Intended for desktops and servers with a free PCIe x8 slot, the card supports full-duplex 10 Gb/s operation per port, enabling high-throughput wired connectivity for demanding network environments. The adapter is based on a proven controller family and offers standard Ethernet features required for data center and workstation networking, including support for VLAN tagging, link aggregation, and hardware offloads to reduce CPU load.

Advantages

The adapter delivers dual 10 GbE copper ports in a single low-profile bracket design, allowing both compact and full-height installations. With a PCIe x8 interface it provides sufficient host bandwidth for line-rate traffic on both ports while maintaining compatibility with many server and workstation PCIe slots. Hardware offload capabilities and support for common network standards help lower CPU utilization and improve overall throughput for virtualization, backups, and large file transfers.

Suitable for

• High-speed server uplinks and aggregation
• Virtualization hosts and hypervisor networks
• Storage networking for NAS and SAN access
• Workstations requiring 10 Gigabit wired connectivity
• Network testing and lab environments

Key specifications

• Interface to host: PCI Express x8 (electrical)
• Ports: 2 × RJ45 10 Gigabit Ethernet
• Maximum per-port throughput: up to 10 Gbit/s full duplex
• Supported link modes: 10GBASE-T, backward-compatible with 1G/100M/10M
• Form factor: low-profile bracket with full-height compatibility
• PHY/media: copper (twisted-pair) with standard Ethernet cabling
• Offload features: checksum offload, TCP segmentation offload, large receive offload (dependent on driver)
• Wake-on-LAN and VLAN tagging support

How to use

Install the adapter into an available PCIe x8 (or x16) slot on a powered-down system following static-safe handling. Secure the bracket, connect network cables to the two RJ45 ports, and boot the system. Install the appropriate driver for the operating system in use; many modern systems include compatible drivers, but vendor drivers may provide additional functionality. After drivers are installed, configure network settings through the operating system or management tools: set IP addresses, link aggregation, VLANs, or other features as required by the network design.

Recommendations

Use high-quality Cat6a (or better) twisted-pair cabling for reliable 10GBASE-T performance at longer distances; ensure the host BIOS and operating system support PCIe x8 devices and that adequate airflow is provided in server and workstation enclosures to avoid thermal throttling during sustained high loads.