Network Card MicroConnect MC-PCIEX1-82576-Q PCIe x1 Dual Port Ethernet 82576

MicroConnect MC-PCIEX1-82576-Q is a PCIe x1 network card featuring dual Gigabit Ethernet ports driven by the 82576 controller. It is designed to add two wired network interfaces to desktop PCs or servers with an available PCIe x1 slot, providing standard 1 Gbps connectivity for wired networks. The card supports common NIC features such as link aggregation, network redundancy, and separated network segments to improve throughput, reliability, and traffic management.

Advantages

The dual-port design allows two independent network connections from a single expansion slot, enabling redundancy or aggregated bandwidth without occupying multiple slots. Using the 82576 controller ensures compatibility with common operating systems and established Ethernet standards, while the PCIe x1 interface offers a compact installation footprint. The device is suitable for upgrading systems that lack integrated gigabit ports or for adding additional network interfaces for virtualization, storage access, or management networks.

Suitable for

• Adding two Gigabit Ethernet interfaces to desktop or server systems
• Implementing link aggregation or failover for increased throughput or redundancy
• Creating separate network segments for VMs, storage, or management traffic
• Small office and home office (SOHO) networking upgrades
• Systems with limited PCIe slot availability requiring a compact x1 solution

Key specifications

• Interface: PCI Express x1
• Network ports: 2 × RJ45 Gigabit Ethernet (10/100/1000 Mbps)
• Controller: Intel 82576-based Ethernet controller
• Supported features: Link aggregation (IEEE 802.3ad), VLAN tagging, checksum offload, TCP/UDP segmentation offload
• Form factor: Low-profile bracket compatible with standard and low-profile chassis
• Power consumption: Low-profile, typical for PCIe x1 network adapters

How to use

Power down the computer and unplug it from the mains before installation. Remove the chassis cover and locate an available PCIe x1 slot. Install the card into the slot, secure it with the bracket screw, and replace the chassis cover. Connect standard Ethernet cables to the RJ45 ports and attach them to the network switch, router, or directly to other devices. After power-up, allow the operating system to detect the new network adapter and install drivers if required; driver packages from the system vendor or controller manufacturer can be installed to enable full functionality. Configure network settings in the operating system or management software to set up IP addressing, link aggregation, VLANs, or routing as needed.

Recommendations

For reliable performance, use quality shielded Ethernet cables (Cat5e or higher) and ensure the host system's BIOS/UEFI and operating system are updated. When deploying link aggregation or failover, configure both the network switch and the host OS with matching settings. In virtualized environments, assign specific physical ports to different virtual networks to isolate traffic and maintain predictable bandwidth.