StarTech.com 4-Port Gigabit Ethernet Network Card – PCI Express, Intel I350 NIC

The StarTech.com 4-Port Gigabit Ethernet Network Card is the smart upgrade for servers and desktops that demand robust, scalable networking. Built around the Intel I350 quad-port NIC, this PCI Express network adapter adds four high-performance Gigabit Ethernet connections in a single card, delivering exceptional throughput, low CPU overhead, and flexible network configuration. Whether you’re expanding a data center, optimizing a NAS, or enabling multiple isolated networks in a workstation, this quad-port PCIe network card brings dependable speed and versatility to any environment.

• Four independent Gigabit Ethernet ports for maximum bandwidth — Each port operates at up to 1 Gbps in full duplex, enabling parallel data streams across multiple networks or virtual machines. The quad-port design is ideal for virtualization labs, storage area networks, backups, media streaming, and high-traffic workstations. With hardware offloads and efficient data handling, you can push large data transfers without saturating your CPU, ensuring smooth performance even under concurrency. The result is a responsive system that can handle busy workloads, file sharing, remote backups, and multi-host connectivity with ease.
• Intel I350 chipset for reliability and efficiency — The Intel I350 quad-port Ethernet controller is known for dependable performance, stability, and energy efficiency. This chipset provides robust PCIe integration, strong error handling, and advanced offload capabilities that reduce CPU utilization while maintaining high throughput. With jumbo frames support (up to 9K) and VLAN capabilities, you gain improved network efficiency for storage networks, virtualization traffic, and data-intensive applications—delivering consistent performance even as your network grows.
• PCIe interface with versatile installation — Designed to plug into a PCI Express slot, the card consolidates four Gigabit ports into one expansion card, freeing motherboard bandwidth for other components. The typical configuration uses a PCIe x4 slot, delivering ample bandwidth to feed four independent connections. This design is especially beneficial in dense server racks, small form factor systems, or workstations that need high port density without sacrificing PCIe lanes. The card supports standard-height and common installations in a wide range of desktops, servers, and compact chassis, helping you scale your network without replacing existing hardware.
• Flexible networking features for segmentation and reliability — This StarTech NIC supports essential networking features such as 802.1Q VLAN tagging and NIC teaming for redundancy or aggregated throughput. You can segment traffic across separate subnets, dedicate separate paths for storage networks or management networks, and configure link aggregation to increase throughput between switches and servers. The hardware-based offloads also help with TCP/IP checksum offload, segmentation, and large receive offload, improving performance for virtualized guests and high-demand applications. Broad OS and virtualization compatibility make it easy to deploy in Windows, Linux, VMware, Hyper-V, and other environments.
• Easy management and broad OS compatibility — The StarTech quad-port NIC is designed for seamless deployment with driver support across major operating systems. Whether you’re building a Windows Server environment, a Linux server, or a virtualization host, you’ll find drivers and documentation that simplify installation and ongoing management. The card works with standard OS networking tools and supports common server configurations, enabling quick integration into existing networks and straightforward maintenance as your environment evolves.

Technical Details of StarTech.com 4-Port Gigabit Ethernet Network Card

• Chipset: Intel I350 Quad-Port Gigabit Ethernet Controller
• Ports: 4 x RJ-45 Gigabit Ethernet ports
• Interface: PCI Express (commonly requires a PCIe x4 slot)
• Networking features: 802.1Q VLAN tagging, NIC teaming, Jumbo Frames up to 9K
• Supported speeds: Up to 1 Gbps per port (full duplex)
• Operating system support: Windows, Linux, VMware ESXi/Hyper-V (drivers provided by StarTech)
• Form factor: PCIe adapter with standard-height and low-profile bracket options
• Power and efficiency: hardware offloads reduce CPU utilization and improve overall system efficiency

How to install StarTech.com 4-Port Gigabit Ethernet Network Card

• Power down your computer or server and unplug all cables. Open the chassis and locate an available PCI Express slot.
• Remove the corresponding slot cover and insert the StarTech card firmly into the PCIe slot. Ensure it sits evenly and is fully seated in the slot.
• Secure the card to the chassis with a screw in the bracket. Replace the case cover and reconnect power.
• Power on the system and install the appropriate drivers. Use StarTech’s driver package from their website, or rely on your operating system’s native drivers if supported.
• Configure the network connections in your operating system. Set up four independent NICs if desired, apply VLANs (802.1Q) for segmentation, and enable NIC teaming or link aggregation as needed for redundancy or higher throughput.

Frequently asked questions

• Q: How many ports does this card provide? A: Four Gigabit Ethernet ports, enabling up to four separate network connections from a single PCIe card.
• Q: What slot type is required? A: The card uses a PCI Express interface and typically requires a PCIe x4 slot to support all four ports at full capacity.
• Q: What operating systems are supported? A: Windows, Linux, VMware ESXi, Hyper-V, and other popular platforms with available drivers from StarTech or native OS support.
• Q: Can the four ports be teamed or aggregated? A: Yes. NIC teaming or link aggregation can be configured to increase throughput or provide redundancy, depending on your switch and OS capabilities.
• Q: Does it support VLAN tagging and jumbo frames? A: Yes. It supports 802.1Q VLAN tagging and Jumbo Frames up to 9K, enabling efficient network segmentation and high-throughput data transfers for virtualization and storage networks.
• Q: Is there a warranty? A: StarTech products typically come with a manufacturer warranty and access to technical support. Check the product page or packaging for the exact terms.