Lenovo ThinkSystem QLogic QL41134 PCIe 10Gb 4-Port Base-T Ethernet Adapter

The Lenovo ThinkSystem QLogic QL41134 PCIe 10Gb 4-Port Base-T Ethernet Adapter is a high-performance, enterprise-class NIC built on Cavium’s legendary QL41134 technology. This quad-port 10GBASE-T adapter delivers flexible copper Ethernet connectivity with universal RDMA support, enabling RoCE, RoCE v2, and iWARP for low-latency communication alongside traditional TCP/IP traffic. It is purpose-built for data centers that demand scalable bandwidth, efficient CPU utilization, and reliable, consistent performance across virtualization, storage networks, and clustered workloads. Designed to thrive within Lenovo ThinkSystem servers, the QL41134 combines robust hardware with a driver and firmware stack optimized for demanding enterprise environments, giving IT teams a single, proven solution for high-throughput networking, multi-tenant workloads, and mission-critical applications.

• Quad-port 10GBASE-T copper connectivity: Four independent 10 Gigabit Ethernet ports (RJ-45) provide abundant uplink capacity, flexible switch connectivity, and the ability to design NIC teaming and link aggregation configurations for higher aggregate bandwidth and redundancy in virtualized and storage-heavy environments.
• Universal RDMA support (RoCE, RoCE v2, and iWARP): Enable zero-copy data paths and remote memory access across the network, dramatically reducing CPU overhead and latency for latency-sensitive workloads such as databases, hyper-converged storage, and high-performance compute clusters.
• PCIe-based architecture for scalable performance: A modern PCIe interface delivers high throughput with efficient CPU utilization, ensuring smooth operation in dense server platforms while remaining broadly compatible with standard operating systems and hypervisor environments.
• Data-center features for virtualization and storage workloads: Supports NIC teaming, link aggregation, VLAN tagging, quality of service (QoS), and common offloads to optimize throughput, latency, and CPU resources under heavy multi-tenant traffic and storage I/O.
• Enterprise-ready reliability and Lenovo ecosystem support: Built to integrate with Lenovo ThinkSystem hardware and managed through Lenovo’s enterprise support channels, including driver updates, firmware maintenance, and certification across popular operating systems for minimized downtime.

Technical Details of Lenovo ThinkSystem QLogic QL41134 PCIe 10Gb 4-Port Base-T Ethernet Adapter

• Port configuration: 4 x 10GBASE-T RJ-45 Ethernet ports
• Host interface: PCIe 3.0 (Gen3) x8 host interface
• RDMA support: Universal RDMA with RoCE, RoCE v2, and iWARP
• Form factor: PCIe add-in card compatible with standard server chassis
• Network features: NIC teaming, link aggregation (LACP), VLAN tagging, QoS, and common offloads (LSO/LRO) for improved throughput and efficiency
• OS and driver support: Broad driver availability for major Linux distributions, Windows Server, and hypervisor environments via Lenovo/Cavium driver stacks
• Warranty and support: Enterprise-grade Lenovo support with driver/firmware updates and certification across supported operating systems

How to Install Lenovo ThinkSystem QLogic QL41134 PCIe 10Gb 4-Port Base-T Ethernet Adapter

To install the QL41134 in a Lenovo ThinkSystem server or a compatible system, follow these steps to ensure proper seating, configuration, and performance:

• Power down and prepare: Power off the server, unplug power cords, and ground yourself to prevent static discharge. Open the chassis and identify an available PCIe slot that matches the card’s PCIe interface (prefer PCIe Gen3 x8 or higher for optimal performance).
• Insert the card: Remove the slot cover as needed and firmly insert the QL41134 into the chosen PCIe slot until it seats completely. Secure the card with a retaining screw to prevent movement during operation.
• Power up and recognize: Reconnect power, boot the server, and enter the BIOS/UEFI if required to confirm the PCIe slot recognizes the new device. The operating system should detect a new Ethernet adapter during post
• Install drivers: Install the latest Lenovo/Cavium QLogic drivers and firmware from Lenovo’s support site or your OS vendor’s repository. Reboot if prompted to ensure the driver stack loads correctly.
• Configure networking and RDMA: In the operating system, configure the NICs (assign IPs or enable NIC teaming as needed). If RDMA is required in your environment, enable RoCE, RoCE v2, or iWARP in the driver settings and ensure your network switches support the chosen RDMA protocol.
• Validate connectivity: Test each port using basic connectivity checks (ping, link status) and run throughput tests to verify performance. If NIC teaming is used, validate the aggregated bandwidth and failover behavior under simulated load.

Frequently asked questions

• Q: What workloads benefit most from the QL41134? A: Virtualization hosts, hyper-converged infrastructures, virtualization clusters, and storage networks that require high-throughput 10Gb Ethernet with low-latency RDMA traffic.
• Q: Does this adapter support RDMA, and which RDMA protocols are available? A: Yes. It supports universal RDMA with RoCE, RoCE v2, and iWARP for low-latency, CPU-efficient data transfers.
• Q: What operating systems and environments are supported? A: The card ships with drivers compatible with major Linux distributions, Windows Server, and common hypervisor platforms; check Lenovo’s official compatibility list for your specific OS version and firmware.
• Q: Can I use NIC teaming or link aggregation with this card? A: Yes. The QL41134 is designed to work with NIC teaming and link aggregation (LACP) to increase bandwidth and provide redundancy across multiple ports and paths.
• Q: How do I enable RDMA on this adapter? A: Enable RoCE, RoCE v2, or iWARP in the driver configuration and ensure the network switch fabric supports the chosen RDMA protocol; consult Lenovo documentation for exact steps per OS and firmware version.