Description
Solarflare XtremeScale SFN8542 Dual-Port 40GbE QSFP+ PCIe Server Adapter
The Solarflare XtremeScale SFN8542 Dual-Port 40GbE QSFP+ PCIe Server Adapter is engineered for data centers that demand ultra-low latency, massive throughput, and dependable performance under heavy virtualized workloads. Built on Solarflare’s proven XtremeScale platform, this NIC combines dual 40 Gigabit Ethernet QSFP+ ports with a robust hardware architecture to deliver exceptional bandwidth, high packet rate, and CPU-offload efficiency. Whether you’re deploying dense cloud infrastructure, deploying microservices in containers, or accelerating high-performance computing clusters, the SFN8542 is designed to scale with your environment while reducing latency and power consumption per I/O operation. With its enterprise-grade reliability and streamlined management ecosystem, this adapter helps you unlock the full potential of your 40GbE network fabric and future-proof your server deployments.
- Dual 40GbE QSFP+ ports for scalable throughput — Create parallel data paths, enable link aggregation, and maximize uplink/downlink capacity in dense server racks, virtualization hosts, and scale-out clusters.
- Low latency, high packet-rate performance — Optimized for microsecond-level latency and high-intensity traffic, enabling fast reaction times for real-time analytics, financial computing, and latency-sensitive applications.
- Advanced offloads and virtualization-ready features — Hardware-assisted TCP/IP offloads, checksum offloads, Large Send/Receive Offloads, VLAN offloads, and virtualization capabilities to boost VM and container performance while reducing host CPU overhead.
- PCIe Gen3 x8 host interface for efficient data flow — Access the system bus with ample bandwidth to minimize contention, ensuring sustained throughput for demanding workloads without bottlenecks.
- Broad software ecosystem and open networking integration — Strong driver support across Linux and Windows, plus integration with Solarflare’s OpenOnload acceleration stack for predictable, low-latency networking in diverse environments.
Technical Details of Solarflare XtremeScale SFN8542 Dual-Port 40GbE QSFP+ PCIe Server Adapter
- Ports: 2 x 40GbE QSFP+ ports for high-speed connectivity and flexible network design
- Form factor: PCIe add-in card (supports standard server chassis with PCIe slots)
- Host interface: PCIe Gen3 x8 for high-bandwidth, low-latency data transfer between the NIC and the host processor
- Throughput: Up to 40 Gbps per port (80 Gbps aggregate theoretical total for dual-port operation)
- Latency: Ultra-low latency architecture designed for high-frequency trading, real-time data processing, and latency-sensitive workloads
- Offloads: TCP/IP offload, checksum offload, LSO/LSO for IPv4/IPv6, several VLAN offloads to accelerate virtual networks
- Virtualization: Support for virtualization technologies and SR-IOV to enable efficient VM and container networking
- Software: Broad driver support across Linux and Windows; OpenOnload integration for accelerated networking and predictable performance
how to install Solarflare SFN8542
Installing the SFN8542 dual-port 40GbE QSFP+ PCIe server adapter is a straightforward process designed for data-center technicians and IT staff. Follow these steps to ensure a smooth deployment and optimal performance:
- Power down your server, unplug power cables, and ground yourself to prevent static discharge.
- Open the chassis and identify an available PCIe slot that matches the card’s requirements (prefer PCIe Gen3 x8 or higher for maximum bandwidth).
- Insert the SFN8542 into the PCIe slot, ensuring a solid, secure seated connection. Replace any retention screws to secure the card.
- Connect your QSFP+ cables or DAC (Direct Attach Cable) modules to the two QSFP+ ports, routing them to your network switch fabric or fabric mezzanine cards as required.
- Power on the server and boot into your operating system. Install the latest drivers from the Solarflare/OpenOnload package for Linux or Windows, following the vendor’s installation guide.
- Load and configure the networking stack. Enable OpenOnload if you are leveraging Solarflare’s acceleration, and apply any necessary offload, VLAN, or RSS settings to optimize for your workload and virtualization platform.
- Verify link status and performance. Use standard tools (ethtool, ifconfig/ip, and vendor utilities) to confirm that both ports are up at the full 40GbE speed, and monitor latency and packet rate under representative traffic.
- Document the configuration for future scalability. Consider enabling SR-IOV, virtualization policies, and QoS/traffic shaping on your switches and hypervisor to maximize efficiency across your workloads.
Frequently asked questions
Q: What workloads is the SFN8542 best suited for?
A: The SFN8542 is designed for data centers and environments that require high bandwidth and low latency networking, including cloud infrastructure, virtualization (VMs and containers), HPC, financial services, and real-time analytics.
Q: How many 40GbE ports does it have?
A: It features two 40GbE QSFP+ ports, enabling either dual independent links or aggregation for higher throughput and resilience.
Q: What host interface does the card use?
A: The card connects to the server via a PCIe Gen3 x8 interface, delivering strong bandwidth from the motherboard to the NIC with minimal CPU overhead.
Q: Is there driver support for Linux and Windows?
A: Yes. The SFN8542 is supported with vendor-provided drivers and OpenOnload for accelerated networking on both Linux and Windows platforms, ensuring compatibility with common server operating systems and virtualization platforms.
Q: Can I use virtualization features with this adapter?
A: Yes. The SFN8542 includes virtualization-ready features such as SR-IOV in many deployments, along with offloads that improve performance for virtual machines and containerized workloads while reducing CPU overhead.
Q: How can I maximize performance with this adapter?
A: To maximize performance, pair the SFN8542 with a high-quality 40GbE switch fabric, enable appropriate offloads (TCP/IP, VLAN, LSO/LSO), utilize OpenOnload for accelerated networking, and tune your hypervisor and NIC settings for optimal throughput and low latency according to your workload profile.
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