Chelsio 2-port Low Profile 1/10GbE UWire Adapter with PCI-E x8 Gen 3, SFP+ connector

Meet the Chelsio T520-CR, a compact, high-performance dual-port 10 Gigabit Ethernet Unified Wire adapter designed to accelerate modern data centers. Built on Chelsio's fifth-generation T5 technology, this low-profile PCIe card delivers robust, consistent throughput while offloading critical networking tasks from the host CPU. With two SFP+ ports and a PCIe 3.0 x8 Gen 3 host interface, it powers cloud workloads, virtualization stacks, HPC clusters, and storage arrays—providing the speed, reliability, and flexibility today’s infrastructure demands. The T520-CR is purpose-built for dense, scalable environments where every watt of efficiency and every millisecond of latency matters, making it a smart choice for servers that require high-speed, dependable 10GbE connectivity without compromising space in 1U and compact chassis.

• Two 10 GbE SFP+ ports for flexible fiber connectivity — each port supports 10GBASE-SR/LR/CX modules and other SFP+ optics, enabling scalable uplinks to switches, storage fabrics, and network fabrics without copper cabling compromises.
• Low-profile PCIe 3.0 x8 Gen 3 host interface — designed to fit in 1U and compact servers while delivering ample bandwidth for multi-queue processing, advanced offloads, and high-throughput networks.
• Unified Wire architecture with hardware offloads — offloads TCP/IP processing, iSCSI, and related networking tasks to reduce CPU overhead, improve latency, and enhance overall application performance under mixed workloads.
• Optimized for virtualized and cloud environments — supports multi-queue, RSS, NIC teaming, and virtualized networking features to simplify VM mobility, density, and performance in cloud and virtualization platforms.
• Easy deployment with standard SFP+ optics — uses widely available SFP+ modules for fiber connectivity, enabling flexible deployment across data centers, campuses, and storage networks with minimal downtime.

Technical Details of Chelsio 2-Port Low Profile 1/10GbE UWire Adapter

• Model: T520-CR
• Ports: 2 x 10 GbE SFP+ (two physical ports)
• Host Interface: PCI Express 3.0 x8 (Gen 3)
• Form Factor: Low-profile (half-height) PCIe card
• Connector Type: SFP+ optical transceivers required for 10 GbE connectivity
• Technology: Chelsio T5 Unified Wire architecture for integrated data-center offloads
• Performance: Up to 10 Gbps per port; aggregate throughput scales with optics and switch fabric
• Offloads: Hardware offloads for TCP/IP, iSCSI, and select network protocols to reduce CPU load
• Management: Supported via Chelsio drivers and management tools (OS-dependent)

How to install Chelsio 2-Port Low Profile 1/10GbE UWire Adapter

To install the Chelsio T520-CR in a server, follow these steps to ensure proper seating, wiring, and configuration:

• Power down the server, unplug power cords, and remove the chassis cover. Ground yourself to prevent static discharge.

• Locate a suitable PCIe slot. The card uses a PCI Express 3.0 x8 interface, so choose an available x8 or larger slot and ensure there is enough clearance for the low-profile bracket.

• Remove the slot bracket and align the Chelsio card with the slot. Firmly, but gently, press the card into the slot until the connectors are fully seated. Secure the card with a PCIe screw to the chassis.

• Install the SFP+ modules for each port. Insert compatible SFP+ optical transceivers (and fiber optic cables as required) into the two ports. Ensure the fiber links align with the correct LC connectors and your network fabric.

• Reassemble the chassis, reconnect power, and boot the server. Install the appropriate Chelsio drivers and management software for your operating system. You may need to reboot after driver installation.

• In the OS, configure the network interfaces. Create NIC teams if desired, set VLANs, and apply any required offload or RSS settings to match your workloads. Verify link status and performance using your preferred diagnostic tools.

Frequently asked questions

• What is Chelsio 2-Port Low Profile 1/10GbE UWire Adapter? A dual-port 10 Gigabit Ethernet Unified Wire PCIe network card with two SFP+ ports designed for data centers, cloud, virtualization, storage, and HPC workloads.
• What interfaces does it use? It uses a PCIe 3.0 x8 Gen 3 host interface and two SFP+ 10GbE ports for fiber connectivity.
• Is it compatible with low-profile servers? Yes. The card is designed in a low-profile (half-height) form factor suitable for 1U and compact servers and blades when a low-profile bracket is installed.
• What offloads are supported? The T5 family provides hardware offloads to improve CPU efficiency for TCP/IP, iSCSI, and related networking tasks, with optional RoCE support on compatible networks and OS drivers.
• What cabling do I need? Each port uses an SFP+ transceiver. Select fiber modules and fiber optic cables compatible with your network fabric, distance, and link partner. Cables and optics are not supplied with the card.