10Gb Base-T PCIe X8 dual Port RJ45 Network Adapter | Intel- X540

Ethernet Converged Network Adapter with Intel® X540-AT2 The Intel X540 adapter is designed to bring 10 Gigabit Ethernet (10 GbE) to a broader server market. It features Intel’s latest Ethernet silicon, the Intel® Ethernet Controller X540, widely used by OEMs for LAN on Motherboard (LOM) solutions. Key Features Dual LAN 10G Network Card: Provides speeds 10 Mb/100Mb/1000Mb and 10,000 Mb (10Gbps) for extreme network performance. Auto-Negotiation: Supports 1 GbE and 10 GbE, ensuring backward compatibility with legacy Gigabit Ethernet (GbE) switches and Cat 6A cabling. PCIe to 10GBASE-T RJ45: Converts PCIe slots (X8/X16) into 10G RJ-45 Ethernet ports. Efficient Heat Dissipation: Ensuring stability with a cooling fan included. Standard and slim brackets Installation Instructions PCIe Slot Compatibility – Important Notes ⚠️ PCIe slots can be tricky! If your system does not recognize the adapter or crashes, check the following: Enable the PCIe Slot in BIOS: Some systems require manual activation of PCIe lanes. Verify Full-Length vs. Limited PCIe Support: Just because your slot is x16 or x8 doesn't mean it supports full speeds—some only operate at x4 bandwidth, which may cause issues. Motherboard Compatibility: Certain boards, such as GIGABYTE, may require additional setup or may not recognize the card at all. Recommended Motherboards: Known working models include J3160, B360, Q370, X570E, H410, X58, X99, C612, Z97, HPZ440, Asus X470. Check for Power or Lane Conflicts: If your system experiences instability, inspect PCIe power settings or potential conflicts with other installed components. Since high-speed network cards generate significant heat, DDC - Digital-Devices-CA provides a cooling fan to ensure stable performance. Installation Instructions for the 50mm Fan Identify the Fan Orientation The side with the manufacturer’s sticker is typically the intake side (pulls air in). The opposite side (without labels) is the exhaust side (pushes air out). Since the fan should pull air away from the heatsink, the label side should face away from the heatsink, with the non-labeled side facing the heatsink. Position the Fan on the Heatsink Place the 50mm fan directly onto the heatsink, aligning it with the mounting holes. Secure the Fan with Screws Use the two supplied screws to fasten the fan securely onto the heatsink. Tighten the screws firmly but not excessively to prevent damage. Connect the Fan to Power Attach the fan’s three-wire cable (red, yellow, and black) to a suitable power source, such as a motherboard fan header or a dedicated fan controller, depending on your setup. Verify Installation & Airflow Power on your system and confirm that the fan is pulling air away from the heatsink. If airflow direction is incorrect, flip the fan so the labeled side faces the heatsink. Secure the provided fan onto the adapter's designated slot. Ensure proper airflow to maintain optimal cooling. Regularly check for dust buildup to prevent overheating. Driver Installation Download Drivers: Get the latest drivers from Intel’s official website: Windows Installation: Windows Server 2012, 2012 R2, 2016, 2019, 2022. Windows 7, 8, 10, 11 (requires manual driver installation). Linux Installation: Compatible with Red Hat Enterprise Linux, SUSE Linux Enterprise Server, Ubuntu Desktop. Linux installation requires professional setup. VMware ESXi Support: Compatible with VMware ESXi 6.5, 6.7, 7.0. Important Notes Not compatible with MAC PCs. Does not support 2.5G speeds—requires CAT6 or higher network cables. Some motherboards may not recognize the adapter—refer to PCIe slot troubleshooting above. Precautions Before Installation For further assistance, visit our online support or Contact us: DigitalDevicesCa