Cisco Intel X550-T2 Dual-Port 10GBase-T NIC

The Cisco Intel X550-T2 Dual-Port 10GBase-T NIC delivers two high-speed copper connections for servers and network appliances, pairing Intel’s proven 10GBASE-T performance with Cisco-inspired reliability. Built around the Intel X550-T2 controller, this PCIe-based adapter provides robust throughput, low latency, and scalable connectivity ideal for data centers, virtualization hosts, and enterprise workloads. This dual-port NIC is designed to maximize throughput while minimizing CPU overhead, making it an excellent upgrade for workloads ranging from large file transfers and backups to live VM migrations and multi-tenant environments.

• Two 10GBASE-T copper ports deliver up to 10 Gbps per port with full duplex operation, ensuring high bandwidth for servers, storage, and virtualization workloads. When installed in tandem, these interfaces can be teamed to provide aggregate throughput and enhanced resiliency, enabling peak performance for demanding applications and scalable data-center networks.
• Flexible copper cabling via RJ-45 connectors (Cat6a recommended for best performance) allows easy integration with existing networks and switches without the need for fiber optics. This compatibility supports a wide range of deployment scenarios—whether upgrading a single server or rolling out a multi-node cluster—while preserving the familiar copper-based infrastructure.
• Advanced offloads and virtualization features reduce CPU overhead and optimize throughput, including Receive Side Scaling (RSS), Virtual Machine Device Queues (VMDq), and SR-IOV support, along with VLAN offloads to simplify multi-tenant networking. These capabilities help ensure deterministic performance for databases, virtual machines, and microservices, even under heavy load.
• Wide operating system and platform compatibility ensures flexibility across environments, with driver and support options for Windows Server, Linux distributions, and VMware ESXi. The adapter works with Intel-provided drivers and Cisco ecosystem tools, enabling consistent management, updates, and policy enforcement across diverse data-center stacks.
• Easy deployment and upgrade path for data-center servers, featuring plug-and-play installation, familiar driver models, and scalable growth as workloads expand. The X550-T2 is designed to integrate with Cisco networking ecosystems and modern data-center architectures, delivering reliable performance without complex reconfiguration of your existing network policy.

Technical Details of Cisco Intel X550-T2 Dual-Port 10GBase-T NIC

• Ports: 2 x 10GBASE-T RJ-45 ports
• Interface: PCIe 2.0 x4
• Form factor: PCIe network adapter card
• Speeds: Up to 10 Gbps per port (full duplex); auto-negotiation to 1 Gbps/100 Mbps as required by connected devices
• Cabling: Copper twisted-pair (RJ-45)
• Features: VLAN offload, TCP/IP checksum offload, Large Send Offload (LSO), Receive Side Scaling (RSS), and virtualization offloads (VMDq/SR-IOV)
• Power efficiency: Energy Efficient Ethernet (EEE) capable on compatible networks
• Compatibility: Windows Server, Linux distributions, VMware ESXi, and other major operating systems; supports standard driver models

How to install Cisco Intel X550-T2 Dual-Port 10GBase-T NIC

• Power down the server and unplug the power cords; open the chassis to access the PCIe slots.
• If needed, remove any existing PCIe network adapter and ensure the slot is clean and free of dust or debris.
• Insert the X550-T2 into a PCIe slot that meets or exceeds the required lane width (PCIe 2.0 x4 or higher) and secure the bracket to the chassis for a stable fit.
• Reconnect the chassis, power on the system, and verify that the system recognizes the new PCIe device in the BIOS/UEFI and operating system.
• Install the appropriate drivers for your operating system (Windows Server, Linux, or VMware) from Intel or Cisco’s official driver repositories, then configure the NIC in the OS or hypervisor (e.g., create NIC teams, set VLANs, and define link aggregation groups as needed).
• Test connectivity with basic network tests (ping, iperf) and validate throughput to ensure the two ports are functioning as expected and are properly offloaded.

Frequently asked questions

• Q: Is this a dual-port 10GBASE-T NIC?
• A: Yes. The Cisco Intel X550-T2 provides two 10 Gigabit Ethernet copper ports (10GBASE-T) for high-bandwidth connectivity.
• Q: Can the two ports be teamed for higher throughput?
• A: Yes. The X550-T2 supports NIC teaming and link aggregation (e.g., LACP) to combine bandwidth and provide redundancy across multiple links.
• Q: What operating systems are supported?
• A: The adapter supports Windows Server, Linux distributions, and VMware ESXi with official drivers from Intel and Cisco, ensuring broad compatibility across data-center deployments.
• Q: Does it require fiber cabling?
• A: No. It uses copper RJ-45 (10GBASE-T) cables, which simplifies integration with existing copper-based networks and switches.
• Q: Is there a low-profile version of this card?
• A: This listing is for the standard PCIe card. A separate SKU is available for low-profile deployments if your server chassis requires it.