Chelsio 2-port Low Profile 10/25GbE Server Offload Adapter with PCI-E x8 Gen 3, Server Offload. SFP28 connector

Unleash next‑level datacenter performance with Chelsio’s T6225‑SO‑CR, a compact, low‑profile dual‑port 10/25GbE server offload adapter designed to accelerate storage, cloud, virtualization, HPC, and general datacenter networking. Built to fit tight 1U and 2U server chassis, this PCIe 3.0 x8 card delivers field‑proven offload capabilities that reduce host CPU overhead, optimize I/O throughput, and simplify deployment across modern data center workloads. The T6225‑SO‑CR keeps the familiar software experience of its T5 predecessor, ensuring a smooth transition and consistent management across generations while unlocking robust performance gains for today’s data‑driven environments.

• Dual‑port 10/25GbE Ethernet with SFP28 connectors provides flexible, high‑bandwidth networking tailored for storage networks, virtualized environments, and high‑throughput compute clusters.
• Low‑profile PCIe 3.0 x8 host interface enables compatibility with a wide range of server platforms, from compact single‑socket blades to dense 1U/2U servers, while preserving abundant PCIe bandwidth for I/O and offload processing.
• Server offload architecture designed to reduce host CPU load, improve latency, and boost throughput for virtualization, hyperconverged infrastructure, and data‑intensive applications—without sacrificing compatibility with established software stacks.
• Software continuity with the T5 ecosystem—the T6225‑SO‑CR runs all the host software of its predecessor as‑is—facilitating a stable migration path, streamlined driver support, and predictable behavior in complex deployments.
• Optimized for a broad range of datacenter workloads including storage I/O acceleration, cloud services, HPC workloads, and virtualized networking, delivering consistent performance even under demanding multi‑tenant scenarios.

Technical Details of Chelsio 2-Port Low Profile 10/25GbE Server Offload Adapter with PCI-E x8 Gen 3, Server Offload. SFP28 connector

• Form factor: Low‑profile PCIe card designed to fit a wide range of server chassis, including compact systems and dense compute nodes.
• Ports: 2 × 10/25GbE network ports with SFP28 connectors for flexible optical or copper interfaces (with appropriate transceivers).
• Host interface: PCI Express 3.0 x8, enabling ample bandwidth to support dual 10/25GbE offload and other I/O traffic without bottlenecks.
• Offload engine: T6225 server offload processor from Chelsio, engineered to accelerate networking tasks and offload data plane handling from the host CPU.
• Software compatibility: Designed to run the same host software as the T5 family, ensuring a familiar driver and management experience across generations.
• Workload optimization: Particularly well suited for storage‑intensive workflows, cloud infrastructure, virtualization environments, and HPC networking scenarios that benefit from hoge performance per watt and low CPU overhead.

how to install Chelsio 2-port Low Profile 10/25GbE Server Offload Adapter

• Power down the server, unplug power cables, and discharge static electricity using proper anti‑static precautions.
• Open the chassis and locate an available PCIe x8 slot that accommodates a low‑profile card; remove the slot cover if necessary.
• Insert the Chelsio T6225‑SO‑CR into the PCIe x8 slot firmly until it seats with a click, then secure the bracket to the chassis with a mounting screw.
• Connect the SFP28 transceiver modules (or DAC cables, if supported) to each of the two ports, and attach the other ends to your network fabric, switches, or storage switches as required.
• Power on the server and install the latest Chelsio drivers and firmware for your operating system from Chelsio’s official resources or your OS vendor repository. Reboot if prompted.
• Configure the network interfaces within the operating system or virtualization platform, enable any offload features you intend to use, and verify link status and performance using appropriate network utilities and monitoring tools.
• Optionally tune offload, queue depths, RSS/VRF settings, and virtualization integrations to align with your workload profiles and multi‑tenant requirements for optimal throughput and latency characteristics.

Frequently asked questions

• What is the Chelsio T6225‑SO‑CR?
  It is a dual‑port 10/25GbE server offload adapter with a PCI‑e Gen 3 x8 interface. It uses SFP28 connectors for flexible high‑speed networking and is designed to offload networking tasks from the host CPU while maintaining full compatibility with the T5 software ecosystem.
• What workloads is this card best suited for?
  It excels in storage‑driven networks, cloud infrastructure, virtualization environments, HPC networking, and general datacenter networking where low CPU overhead and high throughput are critical.
• What connectors does it use?
  The card features two SFP28 ports, which support 10GbE or 25GbE rates with appropriate transceivers or DAC cables, offering flexible deployment options across data centers.
• Does it require new software when upgrading from T5?
  No. The T6225‑SO‑CR runs the host software of the T5 as‑is, providing a predictable migration path with minimal software changes while benefiting from updated hardware offload capabilities.
• How do I install and configure this adapter?
  Install the card into a PCIe x8 slot, attach SFP28 modules or cables, install the Chelsio drivers for your OS, reboot if required, and then configure the network interfaces and offload features through the OS or virtualization platform as part of your normal network setup process.
• Can this card improve CPU utilization in virtualization environments?
  Yes. By offloading a significant portion of the networking workload from the host CPU, it can reduce CPU contention, improve VM networking performance, and help achieve higher guest VM throughput and lower latency in multi‑tenant setups.