Broadcom Dual-Port 10GBASE-T Ethernet PCI Express Gen3 x8 Network Interface Card

Elevate server and data center networking with the Broadcom Dual-Port 10GBASE-T Ethernet PCI Express Gen3 x8 Network Interface Card. Built on Broadcom's scalable NetXtreme-E architecture, the P210TP delivers two high-performance 10 Gigabit copper ports that unlock immense bandwidth, low latency, and robust reliability for enterprise servers, cloud-scale deployments, and storage appliances. Designed for modern data centers, this PCIe Gen3 x8 NIC supports virtualization, high-density workloads, and demanding I/O requirements, making it a versatile backbone for virtual machines, containers, and storage systems that demand predictable, scalable networking. Whether you are consolidating workloads, accelerating data movement, or enabling multi-host NIC teaming, this Broadcom NIC is engineered to deliver consistent throughput, advanced offloads, and easy integration into existing infrastructures.

• Two 10GBASE-T copper ports for scalable performance: The P210TP provides two 10 Gigabit Ethernet ports over RJ-45 copper, delivering a combined theoretical bandwidth of up to 20 Gbps. This dual-port design enables link aggregation, NIC teaming, and fault-tolerant configurations, helping to balance traffic across multiple paths and maximize utilization of server resources. With broad compatibility to 10GBASE-T infrastructure, these ports support standard CAT6a/CAT7 cabling and offer robust distance options, all while maintaining backward compatibility with 1GBASE-T networks when needed. Ideal for high-throughput databases, virtualization hosts, hyper-converged clusters, and dense storage arrays, this card scales with your growing workloads.
• Broadcom NetXtreme-E P210TP architecture for enterprise-grade performance: Built on Broadcom’s NetXtreme-E family, the P210TP delivers scalable performance, hardware-assisted offloads, and streamlined data paths that reduce host CPU overhead. This architecture is optimized for latency-sensitive applications and high-throughput environments, providing efficient packet processing, traffic offloads, and improved processor efficiency. The NIC is designed to handle diverse traffic patterns common in data centers, including virtualization, multitenant cloud workloads, and storage I/O, making it a dependable foundation for high-density server deployments and cloud-scale networking.
• Advanced virtualization and traffic management features: The P210TP supports virtualization acceleration and network segmentation through technologies such as SR-IOV and NIC-assisted offloads, enabling multiple virtual functions to share a single physical adapter with strong isolation and performance. It also offers robust receive/transmit offloads, RSS (Receive Side Scaling) for balanced multi-core processing, VLAN offload, and large send/receive offloads to optimize performance for virtual machines and containerized workloads. These capabilities help reduce CPU usage, accelerate workloads, and simplify network virtualization in clouds, private data centers, and enterprise campuses.
• Reliability, manageability, and energy-conscious design: This Broadcom NIC is built for reliability in demanding servers, offering features that help ensure steady operation under load. It supports industry-standard PCIe, PCIe Gen3 x8 interface for ample bandwidth, and compatibility with common server platforms. In addition, the design aligns with energy-efficient Ethernet principles where applicable, contributing to lower operating costs in dense data center racks while maintaining performance you can rely on for long-running enterprise workloads.
• Broad compatibility and easy deployment for IT teams: The P210TP is designed to integrate smoothly into existing data center environments. It ships with Broadcom driver support for a wide range of operating systems and hypervisors, enabling straightforward installation and deployment in physical servers, virtualization hosts, and storage appliances. Its familiar PCIe form factor and standard RJ-45 connectors simplify cabling, while its virtualization and offload capabilities help you maximize performance without requiring major architectural changes.

Technical Details of Broadcom Dual-Port 10GBASE-T Ethernet PCI Express Gen3 x8 NIC

• Product model: Broadcom NetXtreme-E P210TP 2x10GBASE-T PCIe Network Interface Card
• Interface: PCI Express 3.0 (Gen3) x8
• Ports: 2 x 10GBASE-T Ethernet ports (RJ-45 copper)
• Data rate: Up to 2x10 Gbps aggregated bandwidth, with copper 10GBASE-T physical layer
• Standards supported: IEEE 802.3, 802.3an (10GBASE-T) (as applicable to NIC), compatibility with 10/100/1000 Mbps auto-negotiation on copper links
• Architecture: Broadcom NetXtreme-E scalable NIC architecture for enterprise and cloud-scale networking
• Traffic offloads and virtualization: Hardware-assisted offloads, RSS for multi-core processing, virtualization support for efficient VM and container networking
• Form factor: PCIe add-in card suitable for standard servers and high-density racks
• Power and cooling: Designed for data center reliability with typical PCIe power delivery; optimized for server chassis airflow

How to Install Broadcom Dual-Port 10GBASE-T Ethernet PCI Express Gen3 x8 NIC

Installing the Broadcom P210TP NIC is a straightforward process designed to minimize downtime and ensure reliable operation in enterprise servers. Follow these general steps to add dual 10GBASE-T networking capability to your server:

• Power down the server, unplug power cords, and ground yourself to prevent static discharge.
• Open the server chassis and locate an available PCIe slot that is compatible with PCIe Gen3 x8 or better. Ensure there is sufficient clearance for the card and cabling.
• Remove the slot cover plate, align the NIC with the PCIe slot, and firmly but gently insert the card into the slot until it is fully seated.
• Secure the card with a mounting screw to the chassis to prevent movement over time.
• Connect two RJ-45 cables to the two 10GBASE-T ports on the card. Use Cat6a or higher cabling for best performance; ensure cables are routed away from interference sources.
• Power on the server. Install or update the Broadcom NetXtreme-E drivers appropriate for your operating system (Windows, Linux, or hypervisor). If required, download drivers from Broadcom’s official site or your server vendor’s support portal.
• In the operating system, verify the NIC is detected, assign network interfaces, and configure NIC teaming or virtualization settings as needed. For virtualization environments, enable SR-IOV or other offload features per your platform guidance.
• Test connectivity by generating traffic across both ports, validating throughput, latency, and failover behavior for bonded or teamed configurations. Fine-tune settings such as VLANs, jumbo frames, and offload options to optimize performance for your workloads.
• Optionally enable energy-efficient Ethernet (EEE) and power-saving features if supported by your server and OS, balancing performance and efficiency based on workload characteristics.

Frequently Asked Questions

• What does the Broadcom P210TP NIC provide? It delivers two 10 Gigabit Ethernet copper ports on a PCIe Gen3 x8 card, enabling high-bandwidth connectivity, NIC teaming, and virtualization-friendly networking for servers, storage appliances, and data centers.
• What environments is it suitable for? It is designed for enterprise servers, cloud-scale architectures, virtualization hosts, and storage backplanes that require reliable, scalable 10G networking with flexible cabling options.
• Does it support virtualization features? Yes, the NetXtreme-E architecture includes virtualization-friendly offloads and capability to work with NIC teaming and SR-IOV in supported environments.
• What cables are recommended? For 10GBASE-T, use Category 6a or higher copper cabling (Cat6a/Cat7) to achieve the 10 Gbps data rate over the intended distances.
• Do I need special drivers? Yes. Install Broadcom NetXtreme-E drivers for your operating system (Windows, Linux, or hypervisor) to ensure full feature support, performance offloads, and proper management.
• Is there any cooling or power caveat? The card is designed for standard server environments with typical PCIe power and rack airflow; ensure adequate cooling in dense configurations to maintain peak performance.
• Can I use NICs in a clustered or virtualized environment? Absolutely. The dual-port design and virtualization features make it well-suited for clustered, multi-tenant, and cloud-scale deployments when paired with appropriate software and drivers.