HPE 10Gb DP 521T PCIe 3.0 x8 Ethernet Adapter

Overview

The HPE 867707-B21 is a dual-port 10-gigabit Ethernet adapter designed to enhance server network performance by providing two 10GBASE-T RJ-45 ports on a PCIe 3.0 x8 card. It enables high-speed connectivity over existing CAT 6A cabling and automatically supports 1-gigabit speeds for compatibility with older infrastructure. This adapter is ideal for IT environments that require increased bandwidth for tasks such as backup, database replication, and virtual machine migration without the need for costly rewiring.

Key features

• Two RJ-45 ports supporting 10GBASE-T and backward-compatible 1GBASE-T speeds for flexible network integration
• Simple installation into a standard PCI Express 3.0 x8 slot, allowing quick upgrades without complex setup
• Support for jumbo frames up to 9.2 KB, improving efficiency for large-packet data transfers and storage traffic
• Advanced security with digitally signed firmware, Secure Boot verification, and an onboard firewall to protect against unauthorized code
• SR-IOV capability to allocate multiple virtual functions directly to guest operating systems, reducing CPU overhead in virtualized environments
• VXLAN offload and RoCE v2 support to accelerate overlay networks and latency-sensitive applications
• Energy-efficient design with a typical power draw of 8.4 watts, suitable for high-density server racks
• Wide operating temperature range from 41 °F to 140 °F, ensuring reliable performance in various data center conditions

Key specs

• Interface: PCI Express 3.0 x8
• Network ports: 2 x RJ-45
• Network speeds: 10GBASE-T and 1GBASE-T auto-negotiation
• Cabling: Compatible with CAT 6A copper cabling
• Jumbo frame support: Up to 9.2 KB
• Power consumption: 8.4 watts typical
• Operating temperature: 41 °F to 140 °F (5 °C to 60 °C)
• Security features: Digitally signed firmware, Secure Boot, hardware firewall
• Virtualization support: SR-IOV
• Offload technologies: VXLAN, RoCE v2

Connectivity and compatibility

This adapter fits seamlessly into HPE Gen10 servers, providing a straightforward upgrade path for existing setups. Its use of standard CAT 6A cabling means there is no need to replace copper infrastructure, which helps reduce deployment costs and downtime. The dual RJ-45 ports allow for flexible network configurations, including link aggregation for increased throughput or separate traffic paths for redundancy and security.

• Compatible with a broad range of HPE Gen10 server models
• Supports standard Ethernet protocols for easy integration into existing networks
• Auto-negotiates speeds to maintain connectivity with older network equipment

Performance and reliability

The adapter’s support for jumbo frames and offload technologies like VXLAN and RoCE v2 enhances network efficiency, especially in environments with storage overlays or virtualized workloads. Its firmware-level security features ensure the integrity of the device during every power cycle, reducing risks of tampering. The low power consumption and wide operating temperature range make it a dependable choice for dense server environments where thermal and energy considerations are critical.

Ideal uses and environments

This Ethernet adapter is well suited to IT teams managing HPE Gen10 servers who need to boost network bandwidth for demanding tasks such as backup operations, database replication, and virtual machine migration. It also fits remote offices or branch locations that require faster file transfers but want to maintain their existing copper cabling infrastructure. Its virtualization support and security features make it a strong option for data centers focused on performance and protection.