StarTech Dual Port PCIe x4 Gigabit Ethernet Server Adapter with Intel i350 NIC

Upgrade your server or workstation with a high-performance, dual-port Gigabit Ethernet solution built to handle demanding networking tasks. The StarTech Dual Port PCI Express (PCIe x4) Gigabit Ethernet Server Adapter Network Card, powered by the Intel i350 NIC, delivers reliable throughput, low latency, and robust features designed for modern data centers, virtualization hosts, entry-level servers, and storage appliances. Whether you are expanding port density, enabling link aggregation for increased bandwidth, or creating dedicated NICs for management traffic, this PCIe network card is engineered to meet the needs of both small businesses and enterprise environments.

Designed for versatility and longevity, this Intel i350-based NIC combines a compact form factor with a PCIe x4 interface, allowing easy installation into a wide range of servers and workstations. The dual RJ-45 ports support true Gigabit Ethernet performance, making it ideal for server backbones, hypervisor networks, and multi-host setups. The card is built to operate in demanding 24/7 environments, offering solid stability, excellent compatibility, and real-world performance benefits that translate into faster data transfers, smoother backups, and more responsive virtual machines.

• Dual-port Gigabit Ethernet for increased connectivity and failover options, enabling separate networks or high-availability configurations without using up onboard NICs.
• PCI Express x4 interface delivers ample bandwidth for data-intensive workloads and allows flexible installation in a variety of server chassis and motherboards.
• Intel i350 NIC delivers reliable, enterprise-grade networking performance with strong efficiency, excellent driver support, and solid throughput for mixed traffic environments.
• Broad OS and virtualization support, including Windows Server, Linux distributions, VMware, Hyper-V, and other common platforms, with straightforward driver availability from StarTech and Intel.
• Feature-rich networking capabilities, including VLAN tagging, jumbo frames, and potential for link aggregation (NIC teaming) to maximize bandwidth and optimize traffic separation.

Technical Details of StarTech Dual Port PCI Express (PCIe x4) Gigabit Ethernet Server Adapter Network Card - Intel i350 NIC

• NIC chipset: Intel i350-based design for dependable Gigabit Ethernet performance
• Interface: PCI Express x4 (PCIe x4) slot compatibility for flexible integration into a wide range of servers
• Ports: 2 × RJ-45 Gigabit Ethernet interfaces, enabling dual-port connectivity and simple network segmentation
• Data rate: Up to 2 × 1 Gbps aggregate throughput in typical operation, with full-duplex capability
• Standards: Supports 1000BASE-T with auto-negotiation for seamless link establishment; compatible with standard Ethernet networks
• Features: VLAN tagging (802.1Q) support, jumbo frames (up to 9 KB) for improved throughput on large data transfers, and potential for link aggregation depending on driver and OS
• Management & compatibility: Broad driver support across Windows, Linux, VMware, and other virtualization platforms; frequent driver updates from StarTech and Intel to maintain compatibility with evolving environments
• Operating conditions: Designed for server-grade reliability in 24/7 operation; compact card form factor fits standard PCIe slots in most tower and rack-mounted servers
• Power & cooling: Low-profile design with standard PCIe power envelope; requires no external power supply beyond the host system

How to Install StarTech Dual Port PCI Express (PCIe x4) Gigabit Ethernet Server Adapter

Follow these steps to install and configure the StarTech dual-port NIC in a typical server or workstation environment. Before starting, gather a few essentials: a compatible motherboard with a free PCIe x4 slot, a screwdriver, and the appropriate Ethernet cables (Cat 5e or better) for your networking needs.

1) Power down and unplug the system. Ground yourself to prevent static discharge and open the chassis to access the motherboard and PCIe slots.

2) Locate a free PCIe x4 slot that provides enough clearance for the card and its connectors. If your system has multiple PCIe slots, choose a slot that minimizes potential interference with other expansion cards and ensures adequate airflow for cooling.

3) Insert the StarTech dual-port NIC carefully into the PCIe x4 slot, applying gentle downward pressure until the card is firmly seated. Secure the card with a screw to the chassis bracket to keep it stable during operation.

4) Reassemble the system, reconnect power, and boot into the operating system. The OS will typically detect a new PCIe network device and may prompt you to install or update drivers.

5) Install the correct drivers from StarTech’s support site or via the operating system’s driver updater. Ensure you choose the Intel i350 driver package compatible with your OS version. Reboot if prompted after driver installation.

6) Configure network settings in the operating system. For dual-port setups, you can assign static IP addresses to each port or enable NIC teaming/link aggregation if your workload requires higher bandwidth or fault tolerance. If VLANs are part of your design, configure 802.1Q tagging on the desired ports to segment traffic efficiently.

7) Verify connectivity by testing from a client device or a server in your network. Check link status indicators on the server and within the OS network settings to confirm healthy connections on both ports. Validate throughput with a speed test or a controlled data transfer to ensure the NIC is delivering the expected performance.

Notes for best results: ensure your server’s BIOS and I/O settings enable the PCIe slot in use, confirm BIOS or UEFI options for PCIe lane speed are set appropriately, and review any virtualization platform recommendations for NIC compatibility and passthrough settings if you’re using virtual machines.

Frequently asked questions

• Q: What is the main benefit of using a dual-port NIC like this StarTech Intel i350 card?
  A: A dual-port NIC provides additional network throughput, enables network segmentation, and supports high-availability configurations or NIC teaming for load balancing, without occupying multiple motherboard slots or consuming additional switch ports on the main network.
• Q: Which operating systems are supported?
  A: The Intel i350-based StarTech NIC offers broad compatibility, including Windows Server editions, mainstream Linux distributions, VMware, Hyper-V, and other virtualization platforms. Always verify the driver version to ensure compatibility with your specific OS release.
• Q: Can I use link aggregation or NIC teaming with this card?
  A: Yes. The NIC supports configurations that enable aggregated links (depending on your OS and switch capabilities), which can increase total available bandwidth and provide redundancy across active links.
• Q: Does it support VLAN tagging and jumbo frames?
  A: Yes. The card supports VLAN tagging (802.1Q) for traffic segmentation and jumbo frames (often up to 9 KB) to improve throughput for large data transfers, beneficial in storage and virtualization workloads.
• Q: How do I know if the card is functioning correctly after installation?
  A: After installing the correct drivers, verify link status indicators in the OS network adapter settings, run a basic throughput test between networked devices, and check system logs for any driver or hardware warnings. If issues arise, reseat the card, update drivers, and confirm BIOS/UEFI settings for PCIe compatibility.