Intel Compatible XL710QDA2: 40GbE PCIe NIC with 2 Open QSFP+ Ports

Upgrade your server infrastructure with the Intel Compatible XL710QDA2, a high‑performance PCI Express x8 network interface card (NIC) built around the trusted Intel XL710 chipset. This dual‑QSFP+ NIC delivers robust, scalable 40 Gigabit Ethernet connectivity designed for data centers, clustering, virtualization, and high‑throughput storage networks. With enterprise‑grade features, broad OS support, and a lifetime warranty, the XL710QDA2 is an affordable upgrade that reduces bottlenecks and accelerates your most demanding workloads.

• High‑performance 40GbE networking for demanding workloads. The XL710QDA2 brings two Open QSFP+ ports operating at 40GbE, delivering blistering data transfer rates ideal for virtualization hosts, clustered compute nodes, and fast storage fabrics. With the Intel XL710 chipset, you gain advanced offloads that reduce CPU overhead, improve packet processing efficiency, and lower latency—critical factors for latency‑sensitive applications, large‑scale simulations, and real‑time analytics. This NIC is designed to handle heavy I/O loads without compromising stability, enabling smooth operation of hypervisors, containers, and workload orchestration platforms.
• Flexible, scalable connectivity for evolving data centers. Each QSFP+ port supports direct 40GbE connections or breakout configurations that split into multiple 10GbE links where supported by your switch and driver stack. This flexibility makes the XL710QDA2 a versatile choice for evolving networks—whether you’re consolidating racks, expanding a virtualized environment, or building a high‑density storage fabric. The ability to mix breakout and direct connections helps you optimize cabling, conserve space, and tailor your topology to your specific performance and budget requirements.
• Enterprise‑grade reliability with robust feature set. Powered by the Intel XL710 architecture, this NIC includes virtualization support (SR‑IOV), VLAN offloads, Large Send Offload (LSO), Large Receive Offload (LRO), and sophisticated error handling. These features contribute to near‑native virtualization performance, efficient network segmentation, and improved handling of jumbo frames and large data transfers. The XL710 platform is well known for stability in multi‑tenant environments, making it a trusted choice for cloud, edge, and enterprise data centers alike.
• Easy deployment and broad OS compatibility. The XL710QDA2 is designed for straightforward installation in a wide range of servers and firmware environments. The PCIe x8 interface ensures compatibility with most modern servers and blade systems, while driver support covers Linux, Windows Server, and common virtualization platforms. OEM and Intel driver packages provide management utilities and configuration options to streamline deployment, fine‑tune performance, and enable features such as SR‑IOV, NIC teaming, and VLAN configuration with minimal downtime.
• Cost‑effective, long‑term value with lifetime warranty. Beyond performance, the XL710QDA2 offers a compelling total cost of ownership thanks to its durability and warranty. The lifetime warranty protects your investment in busy data centers, clusters, and storage nodes, helping to minimize replacement costs and maintenance. When paired with appropriate transceivers or DACs, this NIC can power a scalable, high‑throughput fabric for years, supporting growth in workloads from big data analytics to virtual desktop infrastructure (VDI) and large‑scale backups.

Technical Details of Intel Compatible XL710QDA2

• Interface: PCI Express x8 (PCIe 3.0 compatible) NIC card, designed for reliable, high‑bandwidth I/O in dense server environments.
• Ports: 2x Open QSFP+ ports, enabling 40GbE connectivity per port with optional breakout to multiple 10GbE links depending on switch and driver support.
• Chipset: Intel XL710, a proven Ethernet controller known for virtualization support, advanced offloads, and strong performance under heavy I/O workloads.
• Performance: Up to 40GbE data rate per port, delivering substantial bandwidth for clustering, storage fabrics, and high‑throughput compute workloads; optimized for virtualization and data center networks.
• Reliability & Features: SR‑IOV support, VLAN offloads, LSO/LRO, advanced buffering, and robust error handling to maintain steady performance in demanding environments.
• Warranty & Support: Lifetime warranty accompanying the card to provide long‑term reliability and peace of mind in continuous operation scenarios.
• OS & Driver Compatibility: Broad support across Linux distributions, Windows Server, and popular virtualization platforms; drivers and management utilities are available through Intel and OEM channels to ensure optimal performance and stability.

How to install Intel Compatible XL710QDA2

• Power down your server, unplug from power, and open the chassis to access PCIe slots. Ground yourself to avoid static discharge and identify a suitable PCIe x8 slot with adequate clearance for the card.
• Insert the XL710QDA2 into the PCIe x8 slot, ensuring the card is fully seated and the bracket aligns with the chassis rear. Secure the bracket with a retaining screw to prevent movement during operation.
• Reconnect power and boot the system. Enter the operating system and install the appropriate drivers for your platform. For Linux, install the Intel XL710 driver package or your distribution’s compatible kernel module; for Windows Server, install the NIC driver package provided by Intel or the OEM supplier.
• Configure the NIC in your OS. Create or enable the two 40GbE interfaces, assign IPs as needed, and set up bridging, bonding/teaming, or NIC partitioning as your architecture requires. If you intend to use breakout mode, configure the OS and switch fabric to recognize and route the 4x10GbE or other breakout allocations correctly.
• Connect the QSFP+ cables or transceivers appropriate for your network design. Use compatible optics or DAC cables that match your QSFP+ ports and your fabric’s speed and reach requirements. Verify link status and perform basic throughput tests to confirm proper operation.
• Optionally enable virtualization features such as SR‑IOV and network offloads in your hypervisor or OS to maximize performance and resource isolation for virtual machines and containers.

Frequently asked questions

• Q: What is the Intel XL710QDA2 NIC?

  A: It is a PCIe x8 network interface card featuring two Open QSFP+ ports, built around the Intel XL710 chipset. It delivers 40GbE connectivity with the flexibility to breakout into multiple 10GbE links when needed, making it suitable for high‑speed clustering, storage fabrics, and virtualization environments.

• Q: Can the QSFP+ ports be broken out into 10GbE connections?

  A: Yes. QSFP+ ports commonly support breakout configurations such as 4x10GbE, depending on switch capabilities, driver support, and the OS configuration. Breakout can optimize cabling density and help tailor networks to specific workloads.

• Q: Which operating systems are supported?

  A: The XL710QDA2 is supported by major Linux distributions, Windows Server editions, and popular virtualization platforms. Always verify driver versions for your exact OS and kernel version to ensure optimal compatibility and performance.

• Q: Is there a warranty?

  A: Yes. This NIC comes with a lifetime warranty, offering long‑term reliability ideal for enterprise data centers, virtualization clusters, and storage networks.

• Q: What are common use cases?

  A: Ideal for high‑bandwidth networks, this card excels in clustering interconnects, dense storage fabrics (such as SAN/NAS backbones), virtualized server environments, high‑performance compute clusters, and other workloads requiring low latency and high throughput.