NICs for Servers
Network interface cards (NICs) are required to increase the connectivity of your server and expand storage, for example. Depending on your requirements and existing hardware, you can choose which and how many ports the cards should have and which connection you want to use to integrate them into your system via the motherboard. Here at HaehnleinIT, you can find used and new server network cards in various versions from well-known manufacturers.
What are network interface cards?
Network cards have the function of enabling a device to connect to a network. In other words, they provide an interface between the network and the device. This is why they are also called network adapters. For example, a LAN cable can be connected to them to connect a computer to a router and thus establish a connection to the Internet. The same principle also applies to network cards for servers. These ensure that you can connect your server to other devices in the local network and exchange data.
Types of NICs
There are a variety of server network cards on the market, which are designed for different purposes and requirements. Which card is right for you depends on the existing server and your needs for expanding the network environment.
Data transfer rate and protocols
Depending on whether you are dealing with a network on the smaller side or a data centre, you should opt for different data transmission protocols and therefore different data transfer rates. Most servers are connected via Ethernet, for high performance systems you can opt for InfiniBand instead. Fibre Channel cards are particularly suitable for storage solutions.
Common protocols:
- Ethernet network cards: These are the most commonly used NICs for servers in small to medium-sized local networks. They support various Ethernet speeds such as 10 Gbit/s, 25 Gbit/s, 40 Gbit/s, 100 Gbit/s, etc.
- Fibre Channel network cards: These network cards are used to connect servers to storage systems that support the Fibre Channel protocol and therefore allow higher data transfer speeds than Ethernet.
- InfiniBand network cards: These network cards are used for high-performance computing applications where very high bandwidth and low latency are required.
Connection to the mainboard
Peripheral devices today are usually connected to the main processor via PCIe (also PCI Express), including network cards for servers and workstations. Different variants that are often used are:
- PCIe x4
- PCIe x8
- PCIe x16
The point-to-point connections transfer data to the motherboard via lanes, whereby the number after the x determines the number of lanes. The transfer takes place in parallel, the more lanes there are, the faster the data transfer.
A distinction is also made between PCIe 2.0, 3.0 and 4.0. There are also newer generations, but these are not (yet) used in the adapters sold here. The technology is backwards compatible, meaning that components from different generations can also be combined, although this can lead to performance restrictions under certain circumstances.
It is also possible to install cards in larger slots, for example a PCIe x8 network card in a PCIe x16 slot on the motherboard. However, the firmware may not be compatible, especially with boards that are originally intended for PCs but are being used for server solutions.
Manufacturers of network adapters
The best-known manufacturers of network cards are Intel and Mellanox. Mellanox has since been acquired by Nvidia, but older models continue to run under the Mellanox name. Alternatives are also available from Broadcom, Cisco, Supermicro and other brands. In addition, it often happens that brands such as HP, Lenovo or Dell sell Broadcom or Mellanox cards under their own part number, but the components are exactly the same. Therefore, you may find a network card under several names and from different brands.
NICs refurbished
Network technology can be expensive to purchase. Used NICs offer a cheaper alternative. In addition, you are helping to reduce waste and conserve resources, as fewer used cards have to be thrown away and fewer new cards need to be manufactured. The majority of HaehnleinIT's products are used and are subject to strict quality control guidelines. We refurbish the items ourselves. So you can be sure that you will receive technically fully functional and defect-free components.
You can also find other components such as RAID controllers, host bus adapters, switches and other products here in the shop. On request, we can also put together complete server systems for you that fulfil all your individual requirements. Please feel free to contact us at any time for specific solutions or if you have any questions about our range!