Dell Ethernet Card

The Dell Ethernet Card with Broadcom BCM5719 delivers robust, multi-port connectivity designed for today’s demanding data centers. This plug-in NIC brings four high-performance Ethernet ports into a single, compact PCIe card, enabling flexible network architectures, streamlined management, and scalable growth for virtualization, storage, and management networks. Built for reliability in Dell‑ ecosystem servers and broadly compatible with a wide range of enterprise platforms, this card is engineered to maximize efficiency, minimize latency, and simplify deployment in busy server environments.

• Quad-Port versatility: Four independent 1 GbE RJ-45 ports give you the flexibility to segment traffic, isolate workloads, and consolidate networking for virtualization, storage, and data traffic all on one card.
• Enterprise-grade chipset: Powered by Broadcom BCM5719, a proven, mature Ethernet solution known for stable performance, solid driver support, and compatibility with major operating systems and virtualization platforms.
• Plug-in simplicity: A standard PCIe plug-in card that drops into a compatible server motherboard, enabling quick upgrades or capacity expansion without complicated rewiring or motherboard changes.
• Data center ready: Engineered to support multi-port networking in today’s data-centered environments, with features that align with virtualization and converged infrastructure strategies for streamlined operations and improved utilization of your existing hardware investment.
• Seamless compatibility and management: Designed to work within Dell server ecosystems and widely supported by OEM drivers and vendor-provided utilities, making driver installation and ongoing management straightforward for IT teams.

Technical Details of Dell Ethernet Card

• Chipset: Broadcom BCM5719
• Ports: 4 x 1 GbE RJ-45 Ethernet ports
• Interface: PCIe plug-in card (PCIe slot interface)
• Data rates: Up to 1 Gbps per port (aggregate potential bandwidth depends on network configuration and traffic)
• Form factor: Standard PCIe card suitable for a wide range of server chassis and PCIe motherboards

How to Install Dell Ethernet Card

• Power down the server, unplug power cords, and follow your data center’s safety procedures before opening the chassis.
• Remove the server cover or access panel to expose the motherboard and available PCIe slots.
• Identify an appropriate PCIe slot (usually a PCIe x4 or larger) that aligns with the card’s connector and clearance within the chassis.
• Insert the Dell Ethernet Card firmly into the PCIe slot until it seats cleanly, then secure it with the slot screw to hold the card in place.
• Replace the chassis cover, reconnect power, and boot the server. Install the latest Broadcom/Dell drivers from the official Dell or Broadcom sources compatible with your operating system.
• Configure networking in the operating system or hypervisor, assign IP addressing, and set up any required NIC teaming, VLANs, or traffic separation policies as needed for your environment.
• Test each port for connectivity and throughput, verify link reliability, and monitor performance to confirm the card is functioning as expected within the network topology.

Frequently asked questions

• Q: How many ports does this card provide? A: The Dell Ethernet Card features four independent 1 GbE RJ-45 ports on a single plug-in PCIe card.
• Q: What speeds are supported per port? A: Each port supports up to 1 Gbps in standard configurations, with throughput determined by network topology, switch capabilities, and server resources.
• Q: Is this card compatible with Dell servers? A: Yes. It is designed to work within Dell server ecosystems and is supported by Dell’s drivers and utilities, while also offering broad OS compatibility for virtualization and enterprise workloads.
• Q: Do I need special software to use this NIC? A: At minimum you will need the appropriate drivers for your operating system. Dell and Broadcom provide driver packages that optimize performance and compatibility; in many cases NIC teaming and VLAN configuration are managed through the OS or hypervisor utilities.
• Q: Can I use this NIC in non-Dell servers? A: The card is a PCIe plug-in NIC that is compatible with a wide range of servers that have available PCIe slots. While Dell-specific support and utilities are focused on Dell systems, the hardware itself can operate in other compatible server environments with proper drivers.