Intel Ethernet Network Adapter X710-T2L

The Intel Ethernet Network Adapter X710-T2L is a dual-port, low-profile PCIe 3.0 network interface card designed for demanding servers, virtualization hosts, and data-heavy environments. Built on Intel’s proven X710 technology, this two-port copper NIC delivers scalable bandwidth, advanced offloads, and enterprise-grade reliability, making it a trusted choice for data centers, hyper-converged infrastructure, and line-of-business applications. With its two RJ-45 10 Gigabit Ethernet connections, multi-rate capability, and robust driver support, the X710-T2L helps you maximize throughput while reducing CPU overhead and preserving investment in existing copper cabling and network gear.

• Two RJ-45 10 Gigabit Ethernet ports (10GBASE-T) deliver true dual-port high-speed connectivity while gracefully negotiating down to 1 Gbps, 2.5 Gbps, or 5 Gbps as needed. This multi-rate capability lets you maximize performance on modern 10G switches while maintaining compatibility with legacy network segments, including support for backward-compatible speeds like 100 Mbps in certain configurations. The result is flexible, future-proofed connectivity that scales with your network.
• PCIe 3.0 x4 interface in a compact low-profile form factor makes the X710-T2L ideal for dense 1U, rack-mounted, and blade servers. The card fits in standard PCIe slots, enabling straightforward installation in a wide range of servers without sacrificing airflow or space, and it supports virtualization-ready server deployments where space is at a premium.
• Optimized for virtualization and data-intensive workloads. With hardware offloads such as Receive-Side Scaling (RSS), Virtual Machine Queue (VMQ), Large Send Offload (LSO), and Large Receive Offload (LRO), the X710-T2L reduces CPU interrupts and processing overhead. VLAN offloading and external offloads streamline traffic processing for virtualized environments, storage replication, clustering, and high-traffic databases, delivering smoother guest VM performance and improved throughput on congested networks.
• Reliability and long-term support backed by Intel Limited Lifetime Warranty. The X710-T2L is designed for enterprise environments with rigorous uptime requirements, and Intel provides firmware and driver updates to maintain security, compatibility, and performance across operating systems and hypervisors. This warranty helps protect your investment as networking standards evolve and workloads change over the life of the deployment.
• Broad OS and hypervisor compatibility to fit diverse environments. The X710-T2L is engineered for seamless integration with Windows Server, Linux distributions, and popular virtualization platforms such as VMware ESXi, Hyper-V, and other enterprise hypervisors. It supports driver packages and management tools that simplify deployment, monitoring, and tuning, enabling consistent performance across physical and virtual networks.

Technical Details of Intel Ethernet Network Adapter X710-T2L

• Form factor: PCIe 3.0 x4, low-profile (half-height) NIC card suitable for dense server chassis and blade systems.
• Ports: 2 x RJ-45 10 GbE copper network interfaces (2x 10GBASE-T) with auto-negotiation to compatible speeds.
• Data rates: Multi-rate support from 100 Mbps up to 10 Gbps per port, enabling flexible connectivity across diverse networks and Switches, with automatic speed negotiation based on link conditions.
• PCIe interface: PCI Express 3.0 (8 GT/s) for high-bandwidth data transfers between the NIC and the system motherboard.
• Performance features: Hardware offloads including RSS, VMQ, LSO/LRO, and VLAN offload to reduce host CPU usage and improve throughput in virtualization and storage scenarios.
• OS and virtualization support: Broad compatibility with Windows Server, Linux distributions, VMware ESXi, Hyper-V, Citrix, Proxmox, and other major platforms (driver availability may vary by OS and version).
• Warranty: Intel Limited Lifetime Warranty for enterprise reliability and ongoing support with firmware and driver updates.
• Power and efficiency: Energy-efficient Ethernet capabilities and optimized traffic handling to reduce overall power consumption in busy data centers.

how to install Intel Ethernet Network Adapter X710-T2L

To install the Intel X710-T2L, begin with proper preparation. Power down the server and unplug it from the power source. Ground yourself to avoid static discharge and handle the card by its edges. Remove the existing PCIe slot cover or any obstructing hardware to create a clean path for the new NIC. This step helps prevent damage to the motherboard and ensures a secure fit during installation.

Open the server chassis and locate an available PCIe x4 (or larger) slot, ideally one with good airflow and proximity to other high-throughput devices. Remove the expansion slot screw and carefully insert the X710-T2L into the slot, aligning the card’s connector with the slot and seating it firmly. Once in place, reattach the slot cover or bracket and tighten the retaining screw to secure the card to the chassis. Connect the short, two-port bracket if your chassis requires a dual-port low-profile adapter, ensuring the bracket is firmly mounted for stability.

Reconnect power and close the server chassis. Power on the system and enter the operating system. Install the latest Intel drivers and management utilities for your OS. On Windows, this typically involves installing Intel PROSet for Windows and selecting the correct NIC in your network settings. On Linux, use your distribution’s package manager or install the official Intel driver package, followed by loading the ixgbe driver if required and rebooting as needed.

After drivers are installed, configure the NIC in your operating system. Set up NIC bonding or teaming if your environment requires link aggregation for redundancy or throughput. Create or adjust VLANs as needed, assign IP addressing, and verify connectivity by testing data transfer to a known-good switch port or server. If virtualization is part of your deployment, configure VMQ, RSS, and other offload features in the hypervisor’s virtual switch configuration to maximize performance for virtual machines and containers.

Finally, validate performance and reliability by monitoring link status, throughput, and CPU utilization under representative workloads. Ensure firmware is up to date with Intel’s latest releases, and periodically check for driver updates to maintain security and compatibility as your network evolves. With proper installation and configuration, the X710-T2L delivers consistent high-speed connectivity and dependable performance across diverse workloads.

Frequently asked questions

• Q: What speeds does the Intel X710-T2L support?
• A: The X710-T2L provides two RJ-45 ports capable of multi-rate 10 GbE connectivity, with auto-negotiation to speeds such as 10G, 5G, 2.5G, 1G, and, in some configurations and with compatible switches, up to 100 Mbps. This flexibility helps you optimize performance on networks with a mix of devices and cabling.
• Q: Is the X710-T2L suitable for virtualization and cloud workloads?
• A: Yes. The card is designed with virtualization in mind and supports hardware offloads like RSS, VMQ, LSO/LRO, and VLAN offload. These features reduce CPU overhead, improve guest VM performance, and enhance network throughput in hypervisor environments such as VMware ESXi, Hyper-V, and other virtualization platforms.
• Q: What is the warranty on this Intel NIC?
• A: The X710-T2L is backed by Intel Limited Lifetime Warranty, providing ongoing support, firmware updates, and driver updates to help maintain compatibility and security over the device’s lifespan.
• Q: Which operating systems and hypervisors are officially supported?
• A: The X710-T2L offers broad OS compatibility, including Windows Server and various Linux distributions, along with popular hypervisors such as VMware ESXi and Hyper-V. Always verify current driver availability for your specific OS version on Intel’s support pages before deployment.