Veritas QLE8442 10Gigabit Ethernet Card

The Veritas QLE8442 10Gigabit Ethernet Card is engineered to meet the demands of modern data centers and IT environments. This high-performance PCI Express 3.0 x8 card delivers dual-port 10GbE connectivity with the flexibility of SFP+ transceivers, enabling rapid scale-out of networks, storage, and virtualized workloads. Built for reliability, efficiency, and broad compatibility, the QLE8442 is a versatile upgrade for servers and data-center appliances that require robust bandwidth without sacrificing latency or CPU overhead. Whether you’re expanding a fiber backbone across a campus, upgrading a server cluster, or building a high-performance virtualization host, the QLE8442 provides the speed and scalability you need with a straightforward installation and proven driver support across major operating systems.

• Dual-port 10 Gigabit Ethernet performance: Two independent 10GbE ports deliver high aggregate bandwidth for virtualization, storage traffic, backups, and multi-hypervisor environments, helping to reduce bottlenecks during peak workloads and ensuring consistent application performance.
• PCIe 3.0 x8 host interface: A wide 8-lane PCI Express connection ensures ample bandwidth between the host server and the network card, supporting high-throughput data transfer with low latency and efficient bus utilization for dense, multi-VM environments.
• SFP+ flexibility for fiber and copper deployments: The QLE8442 supports SFP+ transceivers, enabling you to deploy long-haul fiber connections or short-reach copper DAC (direct-attached copper) cables depending on your data-center topology and budget requirements.
• Broad OS and virtualization compatibility: Designed for compatibility with leading operating systems and virtualization platforms, including Windows, Linux, VMware ESXi, and Hyper-V environments, with vendor drivers that deliver reliable performance and ongoing support for enterprise workloads.
• Enterprise-grade reliability and scalability: Built for data-center durability, the QLE8442 offers steady performance under load, with features that optimize CPU usage, improve throughput, and maintain stable operation across diverse workloads, from database servers to virtualized clusters.

Technical Details of Veritas QLE8442

• Product type: 2-port 10GbE PCIe 3.0 x8 Host Bus Adapter
• Host interface: PCIe 3.0 x8
• Ports: 2 x 10GbE SFP+ ports
• Transceiver support: SFP+ modules (not included; choose based on required fiber distance and connector type)
• Form factor: Standard PCIe add-in card (check within server chassis for height and slot compatibility)
• Data rate per port: Up to 10 Gbps per port (aggregate up to 20 Gbps theoretical)
• Operating system support: Broad driver support for Windows, Linux, and major virtualization platforms
• Power and cooling: Designed for typical data-center power environments with efficient operation under load

How to Install Veritas QLE8442

• Power down the server, unplug power cables, and ground yourself to prevent static discharge before handling components.
• Open the chassis and locate an available PCIe slot that matches the card’s interface (PCIe 3.0 x8, or compatible slot).
• Remove the slot cover and insert the QLE8442 firmly into the PCIe slot until it seats completely and the rear bracket aligns with the chassis opening.
• Secure the card to the chassis with a screw and reattach the server cover, ensuring there is clearance for the heatsink and airflow around the card.
• Install SFP+ transceiver modules compatible with your network design, or prepare copper DAC cables if applicable, and connect the corresponding fiber or copper links to the card’s ports.
• Power on the server and boot into the operating system. Install or update the vendor-provided drivers for the QLE8442 from the supported OS vendor sites.
• Configure the network interfaces within the OS or hypervisor, assign IP addresses as needed, and bring links up to verify connectivity and performance.
• Optionally run a network performance test (e.g., iperf3) to confirm per-port throughput and low-latency behavior under expected workloads.

Frequently asked questions

• What is the Veritas QLE8442? The Veritas QLE8442 is a dual-port 10 Gigabit Ethernet PCIe 3.0 x8 network adapter designed for high-speed data-center networking, virtualization, and storage acceleration with flexible SFP+ transceiver support.
• What kind of ports does it have? It features two 10GbE SFP+ ports, enabling fiber optic connections or copper DAC options depending on your network configuration and distance requirements.
• Which operating systems are supported? The QLE8442 is designed to work with major operating systems and virtualization platforms, including Windows, Linux distributions, VMware ESXi, and Hyper-V, with vendor-provided drivers to ensure stable operation.
• Do I need to purchase SFP+ modules separately? Yes. SFP+ transceivers or copper DAC cables are typically sold separately and must be selected based on your distance, connector type, and network design.
• Is this card suitable for virtualization hosts? Yes. With dual 10GbE ports and PCIe 3.0 x8 bandwidth, the QLE8442 is well-suited for virtualized environments, providing dedicated uplinks and reducing hypervisor CPU overhead when handling network traffic.
• Can I use it in a standard or high-density server chassis? The card is designed for standard PCIe slots found in a wide range of servers. Always confirm your server’s slot availability, slot height, and power and cooling constraints before installation.
• What performance can I expect? Each port supports up to 10 Gbps of throughput under ideal conditions. Real-world performance depends on the workload, network configuration, and the efficiency of your chosen transceivers or DAC setup.
• Do I need specific drivers after installation? Yes. Install the vendor-provided drivers for your operating system to ensure optimal throughput, feature support, and compatibility with virtualization platforms.