StarTech.com 10G Network Card – 2 Port NBASE-T RJ45 Intel X550 NIC

Elevate your networking capabilities with the StarTech.com 10G Network Card, a high-performance dual-port PCI Express NIC designed to meet the demands of modern data centers, virtualization hosts, and professional workstations. Featuring NBASE-T technology and Intel X550 chipset, this 10GBASE-T Ethernet card delivers reliable, scalable bandwidth over standard RJ45 copper cabling. Whether you’re accelerating virtual machine migrations, backing up large datasets, or supporting latency-sensitive applications, this NIC is engineered to keep your network ahead of the curve while remaining compatible with a broad range of operating systems and server platforms.

• Dual-port 10GBASE-T networking with NBASE-T flexibility means you can achieve 2.5G/5G/10G speeds over existing Cat5e/6 cables, enabling a cost-effective upgrade path without rewiring your infrastructure.
• Intel X550 chipset—the backbone of reliability and performance—offers advanced offloads, efficient CPU utilization, and robust throughput suitable for heavy I/O workloads and virtualization environments.
• RJ45 Ethernet ports provide familiar, easy-to-use connectivity and compatibility with mainstream network switches, routers, and patch panels, making deployment straightforward in mixed hardware ecosystems.
• Compact PCIe design with scalable compatibility for desktops, workstations, and servers, including options for full-height or low-profile brackets to fit various chassis sizes and form factors.
• Plug-and-play readiness with broad OS support, including Windows and Linux families, supported by StarTech driver packages and ongoing updates for stability and security in enterprise deployments.

Technical Details of StarTech.com 10G Network Card

• Product family: 10G Network Card (Dual-Port), NBASE-T capable
• Ports: 2 x RJ45 10GBase-T Ethernet interfaces
• Chipset: Intel X550 family (Intel X550-based NIC)
• Interface: PCI Express (PCIe) compatible, designed for PCIe x4/x8/x16 slots
• Standards supported: 10GBASE-T, NBASE-T (2.5G/5G/10G) over copper cabling
• Throughput: High-bandwidth performance suitable for data-intensive applications and virtualization
• Operating system compatibility: Broad support for Windows, Linux, and virtualized environments with appropriate drivers
• Power and form factor: Standard PCIe NIC with bracket options for different chassis configurations
• Management and offloads: Intel X550 features offloads that help reduce CPU overhead during large transfers and routine network tasks
• Warranty and support: Backed by StarTech support resources and product documentation for installation, configuration, and troubleshooting

How to install StarTech.com 10G Network Card

Installing this dual-port 10G NIC is a straightforward process that can typically be completed in minutes with common server or workstation components. Begin by powering down the system, unplugging all cables, and opening the chassis to access the motherboard. Identify an available PCI Express slot that meets the card’s requirements, ensuring you select a slot with enough lanes to support the NIC’s bandwidth. Insert the card firmly into the PCIe slot, then secure the bracket to the chassis with the provided screw. Replace the chassis cover and reconnect power before powering the system back on. Once the machine boots, install the latest drivers and firmware from StarTech’s official support site or rely on your operating system’s driver discovery to complete the installation. Finally, connect your RJ45 Ethernet cables to the NIC ports and perform a basic network configuration—this may include enabling link speed negotiation, setting up host teaming or NIC bonding, and configuring VLANs or other network features as required by your environment. If you’re deploying in a virtualization host, install the appropriate drivers within the guest OS or enable virtual NIC passthrough as supported by your hypervisor.

Frequently asked questions

• Q: What does NBASE-T mean for this StarTech NIC? A: NBASE-T refers to the family of Ethernet standards that support higher speeds over copper cabling, typically 2.5G and 5G, with 10G as the top tier. This NIC leverages NBASE-T to deliver flexible, scalable performance over standard Cat5e/6 cables, making it easier to upgrade existing networks without rewiring.
• Q: How many ports does this NIC have and what speeds can I expect? A: The card provides two RJ45 ports and supports up to 10 Gbps per port under ideal conditions. Actual throughput depends on system hardware, cabling quality, and network configuration, including switches and uplinks.
• Q: Which operating systems are supported? A: The StarTech 10G Network Card is designed to work with a broad range of operating systems, including Windows and Linux distributions. It is recommended to download the latest drivers from StarTech’s official support page to ensure compatibility and security.
• Q: Can I use this NIC for server virtualization or high-availability setups? A: Yes. The dual-port design and 10GBASE-T performance make it suitable for virtualization hosts, virtual machine migrations, and high-availability configurations. You may also configure NIC teaming or bonding to maximize bandwidth and resilience.
• Q: Do I need special cables or switches? A: You can operate over standard Cat5e/6 copper cables with NBASE-T. However, to achieve the highest 10G speeds, ensure your cabling and network switches support 2.5G/5G/10G links and that your link partners are configured appropriately for the desired speed.
• Q: Is there a warranty or support available? A: Yes. StarTech provides warranty coverage and access to technical support resources for installation, configuration, and troubleshooting to help you maximize the card’s performance in your environment.