Dell Intel X710 Quad Port 10GbE SFP+ Adapter, PCIe Full Height, V2

The Dell Intel X710 Quad Port 10GbE SFP+ Adapter (PCIe Full Height, V2) is engineered to deliver exceptional Ethernet performance for demanding server environments. Built around the reliable Intel X710 family, this four-port 10 Gigabit Ethernet NIC provides abundant bandwidth, flexible connectivity, and robust reliability for data centers, virtualization deployments, storage networks, and high-availability servers. The V2 revision reinforces Dell’s commitment to compatibility, ease of integration, and long-term support within Dell systems, ensuring that IT teams can deploy with confidence and scale hardware as needs grow.

• Quad-port 10 GbE SFP+ connectivity for aggregate bandwidth, network segmentation, and multi-network architectures without compromising latency or reliability.
• Delivers high-performance data paths with hardware offloads and virtualization features to reduce CPU overhead, improve throughput, and boost VM density in virtualized and cloud-ready environments.
• PCIe full-height form factor that fits standard server chassis and expands your connectivity options in rack-mounted, blade, or dense data center deployments.
• Supports a wide range of SFP+ transceivers and Direct Attach Copper (DAC) cables, giving you flexible, cost-effective options for fiber and copper networking links; not all modules are included, so plan for compatible optics if required.
• Dell validated and tested, with Dell Technical Support backing your deployment on supported servers. This adapter is designed to work seamlessly within Dell’s enterprise ecosystem for maximum reliability and simplified serviceability.

Technical Details of Dell Intel X710 Quad Port 10GbE SFP+ Adapter, PCIe Full Height, V2

• Controller: Intel Ethernet Controller X710 family powering four independent 10 GbE SFP+ ports for scalable uplinks and server-to-network connectivity.
• Ports: 4 x 10 GbE SFP+ interfaces enabling flexible fiber or DAC cabling options and enabling network aggregation, virtualization, and traffic isolation.
• Form Factor: PCIe Full-Height expansion card, designed for standard server slots and compatible with Dell server chassis and mezzanine configurations that support full-height NICs.
• Interface: PCIe 3.0 (x8) interface provides ample bandwidth to support multiple high-speed connections and maintain low-latency data paths for demanding workloads.
• Networking Features: Hardware offloads, NIC teaming (bonding), Virtual Machine Queue (VMQ), Receive-Side Scaling (RSS), and other virtualization-friendly features to optimize throughput in multi-VM environments.
• Hot-swappability and power considerations: Typical PCIe network adapters rely on server hardware and power distribution; ensure appropriate rack power and cooling for sustained, high-throughput operation.
• Driver and OS support: Dell provides validated drivers and firmware updates for common Windows Server and Linux distributions, ensuring compatibility with Dell-supported environments and simplifying lifecycle management.
• Warranty and support: As a Dell-branded product, it inherits Dell’s enterprise support structure and lifecycle management options, designed to minimize downtime and simplify field service in business-critical deployments.

How to Install Dell Intel X710 Quad Port 10GbE SFP+ Adapter

• Power down the server and disconnect all power sources, then remove the server cover or access panel per the manufacturer’s procedure.
• Identify an available PCIe slot that matches the adapter’s requirements and insert the Dell X710 card firmly into the slot until it is seated and the retention slot or screw hole aligns for secure mounting.
• Secure the card with the appropriate screw to anchor it to the chassis and ensure solid connectivity for long-term reliability during operation.
• Connect your chosen SFP+ transceivers or Direct Attach Copper (DAC) cables to the four SFP+ ports. Ensure you are using compatible optics or DAC assemblies that meet your network design and performance goals.
• Power on the server and boot to the operating system. Install the Dell-provided drivers and firmware for the X710 Quad Port adapter from Dell Support or the relevant operating system vendor repositories. Reboot if prompted by the driver installation.
• Configure network settings as needed: create NIC teams if required, apply VLANs, set up link aggregation (LACP), and tailor offload or virtualization features to your workload. Validate connectivity by testing throughput, latency, and error rates across the four ports.

Frequently asked questions

• What is the Dell Intel X710 Quad Port 10GbE SFP+ Adapter? It is a quad-port 10 Gigabit Ethernet PCIe network interface card designed for Dell servers, using the Intel X710 family to deliver four independent 10 GbE SFP+ connections in a single full-height PCIe card.
• What types of cables or modules do I need? The four SFP+ ports support a range of optics and Direct Attach Copper (DAC) cables. SFP+ transceivers or DAC cables are not included by default, so you’ll choose based on your data center’s fiber or copper network design.
• Is this adapter compatible with Dell servers? Yes. The Dell X710 Quad Port NIC is Dell-validated and tested for use in Dell systems, ensuring integration with Dell hardware and enterprise support when deployed within the Dell ecosystem.
• Which operating systems are supported? Dell provides drivers and firmware for common Windows Server and Linux distributions (such as RHEL/CentOS and Ubuntu). Always check the latest Dell driver page for your specific OS version and kernel requirements.
• Can I use NIC teaming or virtualization features with this card? Yes. The Intel X710 architecture includes hardware offloads and virtualization features (such as VMQ and RSS) that enhance performance in virtualized environments and can be used in NIC teaming configurations to increase throughput and fault tolerance.
• Do I need to update BIOS or firmware? It is best practice to keep server BIOS, NIC firmware, and drivers up to date. Dell provides recommended firmware versions and updates on their support site to maintain compatibility and performance.
• What is the form factor and slot requirement? The card is a PCIe Full-Height expansion card designed for standard server chassis; ensure your server has an available PCIe x8 or compatible slot and adequate clearance for full-height cards.