Intel 500 Series Network Adapters

This is the default Ethernet adapter we purchase for end-users, servers, and storage when we need to replace a failed on-board adapter or add additional NICs. We find its reliability and performance are well worth the price, even when not using 10 Gig switches on the other end. As we move to a 10 gig network over the next year, we will likely be putting the adapter into every desktop on the headquarters LAN.

• easy dual port configuration for link aggregations
• easy dual port configuration for redundancy
• 10gig Ethernet over copper support
• Ease of installation
• Ease of management

• It has enabled us to affordably moved to 10gig for those who need it
• it will enable us to affordably move the HQ network to 10gig in the near future
• It has simplified and helped us standardize on a NIC across all device types except laptops

Synology DiskStation, Scale Computing HC3, Ubiquiti Networks UniFi

Is it being used by a department specifically by SOC. One problem that we faced is that the support should be improved.

• On-chip QoS and Traffic Management
• Storage Over Ethernet
• Flexible Port Partitioning

• Meet the requirements of operations
• Not so good ROI
• Better Security of operations

Wireshark, VMware vCenter Server, ManageEngine OpManager

In the University where I work, we use Intel 500 Series Network Adapters on almost all of our non-blade servers. These adapters allowed us to leverage 10Gbe connections which our datacenter switching infrastructure already supported.

• Ability to upgrade existing servers, saving us from buying new servers
• RJ45 ports allowed us to connect to existing infrastructure

• The positive impact saved a significant sum upgrading servers to 10Gb instead of replacing entire Servers.
• Saved money allowing us to use existing network cabling and switches within the datacenter

Broadcom CNA

SolarWinds Network Performance Monitor (NPM), SolarWinds IP Address Manager (IPAM), SolarWinds Security Event Manager (SEM)

The Intel 500 Series Network Adapters are great for CAT6 10 GbE. We have used these in place of Broadcom for 10 Gigabit Ethernet connections used by NAS and Dell PowerEdge servers. The adapters have been very reliable in terms of hardware longevity and software/drivers. We have measured high throughput approaching the 10 GbE real-world expected performance.

• Fast 10 GbE.
• No Compatibility Issues yet with various CAT6 cables.
• Excellent Longevity.
• Good driver support.

• Faster local backups to NAS.
• Fast vCenter access to shared SAN storage in a few cases.
• Very affordable.

Intel 700 Series Network Adapters

We have several old servers that we use Intel network adapters to increase then from 1Gbe to 10 Gbe. This include NAS server, internet proxy and speed test servers. We were originally looking to replace the servers with new ones but then we found these Intel 500 adapter and also purchased additional RAM and was able to upgrade our present servers.

• Linux support
• RJ45 connector
• Reliability

• Saved us money by allow us to upgrade servers to 10Gbe without replacing entire server.
• Saved us money by allowing us to use our existing Cat6 infrastructure.

Broadcom CNA

SolarWinds Network Performance Monitor (NPM), SolarWinds Network Configuration Manager (NCM), HPE Aruba Ethernet Switches