Cisco Compatible UCSC-PCIE-ITG: 10Gb Dual-Port PCIe x8 NIC with Intel X540 chipset

Step into enterprise-grade networking with the Cisco Compatible UCSC-PCIE-ITG, a high-performance dual-port 10 Gigabit Ethernet network interface card designed to deliver dependable, rock-solid connectivity for Cisco UCS environments and other enterprise servers. Built around the Intel X540 chipset, this PCI Express x8 NIC brings simultaneous dual-port 10Gbps copper connectivity to your server, enabling high-throughput workloads, seamless virtualization, and accelerated data movement across virtual machines and physical hosts alike. With a robust design, a lifetime warranty, and broad OS driver support, this NIC is a smart investment for data centers seeking to optimize network performance without compromising reliability. It’s the ideal choice for rack servers, blade servers, and UCS-based deployments where fast, stable, copper-based 10G connectivity is essential for storage networks, clustering, virtualization, and high-bandwidth data transfers. Whether you’re building a new server, upgrading an existing one, or refreshing a Cisco UCS environment, UCSC-PCIE-ITG is engineered to deliver maximum throughput with simplified management and long-term dependability.

• Dual-Port 10Gb Ethernet: Two RJ45 ports support 10 Gigabit Ethernet, enabling aggregated bandwidth and link redundancy for critical applications, storage networks, and high-performance clustering.
• Intel X540 Chipset Based: Powered by the trusted Intel X540 family, this card delivers reliable performance, excellent driver support, and robust offload capabilities to reduce CPU overhead.
• PCI Express x8 Interface: The card fits into a PCIe x8 slot, delivering a wide bus width that supports high-speed data transfer and low-latency networking across demanding workloads.
• 4000 MB/s Bandwidth: The PCIe x8 adapter is optimized for strong sustained throughput, helping to minimize bottlenecks in storage arrays, virtualization hosts, and data-intensive applications.
• Cisco UCS Compatible and Trusted: Specifically designed for Cisco UCS environments, the UCSC-PCIE-ITG offers dependable compatibility, enterprise-grade reliability, and seamless integration with existing Cisco networking infrastructure, as well as broad compatibility with Windows, Linux, and virtualization platforms.

Technical Details of Cisco Compatible UCSC-PCIE-ITG

• Product family: Cisco Compatible UCSC-PCIE-ITG
• Type: Dual-Port Network Interface Card (NIC)
• Interface: PCI Express x8
• Ports: 2 x RJ45 10Gb Ethernet ports
• Chipset: Intel X540-based
• Speed: 10 Gbps per port, full duplex
• Bandwidth: ~4000 MB/s aggregate bandwidth on PCIe x8 bus
• Form factor: PCIe card suitable for standard PCIe slots in servers and workstations (compatibility with full-height/low-profile slots varies by chassis; check your server specs)
• Power: Low-profile PCIe NIC with standard power characteristics for server cards
• Warranty: Lifetime warranty
• Compatibility: Cisco UCS platforms and common enterprise server environments; broad OS driver support across Windows and Linux distributions
• Networking features: Supports standard 10GBASE-T copper Ethernet, link aggregation possibilities, and virtualization-ready offloads to improve VM density and I/O efficiency
• Management and drivers: Managed with standard NIC drivers compatible with modern server operating systems; optimized for virtualization, storage networks, and high-throughput workloads

How to install Cisco Compatible UCSC-PCIE-ITG

• Power down the server and unplug all power sources before installation to prevent electrical damage.
• Open the server chassis and locate an available PCIe x8 slot that provides adequate clearance for a dual-port NIC (check slot height if you are using a low-profile chassis).
• Remove the slot cover corresponding to the PCIe slot to create an opening for the NIC.
• Align the UCSC-PCIE-ITG with the PCIe slot and gently insert it until the connector seats firmly in the motherboard or system board socket.
• Secure the card with the slot’s screw or retention mechanism to ensure stable seating and prevent movement during operation.
• Reconnect power and boot the server. Enter the operating system to load the appropriate Intel X540 drivers or vendor-provided NIC drivers.
• Configure the NIC in your OS or hypervisor (for example, assign IPs, enable link speed negotiation to 10Gbps, and set up VLANs or trunks as required for your network design).
• Verify physical link status and performance using the OS network tools, then run basic throughput tests to confirm the NIC is delivering the expected 10Gbps performance on both ports.

Frequently asked questions

• Q: Is this NIC compatible with Cisco UCS servers?
  A: Yes. The UCSC-PCIE-ITG is specifically designed to be Cisco-compatible and integrates smoothly with Cisco UCS environments, providing reliable 10Gb Ethernet connectivity for UCS blades and rack servers.
• Q: What speed and port configuration does it offer?
  A: It provides two 10Gb Ethernet ports via RJ45 interfaces, delivering up to 10Gbps per port in full duplex operation, with a combined bandwidth optimized for high-throughput workloads.
• Q: What chipset powers this NIC?
  A: The card is based on the Intel X540 chipset, a proven and widely supported foundation for high-performance 10Gb Ethernet NICs.
• Q: What is the form factor and slot requirement?
  A: It is a PCI Express x8 NIC. Ensure your server has a compatible PCIe x8 slot with sufficient clearance for the NIC in your chassis (full-height or low-profile form factors may vary).
• Q: Does the card come with a warranty?
  A: Yes, the UCSC-PCIE-ITG includes a lifetime warranty, providing ongoing coverage for hardware reliability and peace of mind in production deployments.
• Q: What operating systems and virtualization platforms are supported?
  A: The Intel X540-based NICs typically offer broad driver support across Windows and Linux distributions, and are commonly used with VMware, Hyper-V, and other virtualization environments. Always verify driver availability for your specific OS version and hypervisor to ensure optimal performance.