Description
Network Interface Controller (NIC)
A Network Interface Controller (NIC), also known as a network interface card or network adapter, is a hardware component that connects a computer or other network-enabled device to a local network or the internet.
The NIC provides the physical interface between the computer and the network, allowing the computer to send and receive data packets. It converts the digital data sent by the computer into electrical signals that can be transmitted over the network cable or wireless connection, and also receives electrical signals from the network and converts them into digital data that the computer can understand.
A NIC typically has a physical interface that matches the network cable or wireless connection type, such as an RJ45 port for Ethernet or an antenna for Wi-Fi. It also has a unique hardware address, known as a Media Access Control (MAC) address, that is used to identify the device on the network.
NICs can vary in terms of their speed, capacity, and features. For example, some NICs support higher data transfer rates and multiple network protocols, while others are optimized for low power consumption or specific applications.
NICs can be integrated into a computer’s motherboard, or they can be added as a separate card to an available expansion slot. In modern computers, NICs are often integrated into the motherboard or connected via a M.2 or PCIe slot.
Security Considerations
Security considerations are an important aspect to keep in mind when using the 870825-B21 HPE Ethernet 10/25GB 2 Port 631FLR-SFP28 Adapter or any other network adapter. Network security threats can compromise sensitive data, disrupt business operations, and cause significant financial damage. Therefore, it is important to take steps to protect your network and the data that flows through it.
Some security considerations to keep in mind when using the adapter include:
- Secure configuration: Ensure that the adapter is configured securely, and that any unnecessary services or protocols are disabled. This can help reduce the attack surface and minimize potential vulnerabilities.
- Encryption: Use encryption to protect sensitive data in transit. The adapter supports various encryption protocols such as TLS, SSL, and IPsec, which can be used to encrypt network traffic.
- Access control: Limit access to the network and the adapter to only authorized users and devices. This can be achieved through access control lists (ACLs) and network segmentation.
- Authentication: Use strong authentication mechanisms such as multi-factor authentication (MFA) to ensure that only authorized users can access the network and the adapter.
- Monitoring and logging: Regularly monitor the network traffic and logs to detect and respond to any security incidents or anomalies.
- Firmware updates: Keep the adapter’s firmware up to date with the latest security patches and updates to address any known vulnerabilities.
- Physical security: Ensure that the adapter is physically secured to prevent unauthorized access or tampering.
By taking these security considerations into account, you can help ensure that your network and data are protected from potential security threats.
Ethernet Adapter Options
Ethernet adapter options refer to the different types of Ethernet network interface cards (NICs) that are available for connecting computers and servers to Ethernet networks. There are several Ethernet adapter options available on the market, each with its own set of features and capabilities.
- 10/100 Mbps Ethernet Adapter: This is a basic Ethernet adapter that supports data transfer speeds of up to 100 Mbps. It is commonly used in older systems and is not ideal for high-performance networking applications.
- Gigabit Ethernet Adapter: This Ethernet adapter supports data transfer speeds of up to 1 Gbps and is commonly used in modern computers and servers. It provides a significant performance improvement over 10/100 Mbps Ethernet adapters.
- 10 Gigabit Ethernet Adapter: This Ethernet adapter supports data transfer speeds of up to 10 Gbps and is commonly used in high-performance computing environments such as data centers and high-performance computing clusters.
- 25 Gigabit Ethernet Adapter: This Ethernet adapter supports data transfer speeds of up to 25 Gbps and is commonly used in high-performance computing environments such as data centers and high-performance computing clusters.
- 40 Gigabit Ethernet Adapter: This Ethernet adapter supports data transfer speeds of up to 40 Gbps and is commonly used in high-performance computing environments such as data centers and high-performance computing clusters.
- 100 Gigabit Ethernet Adapter: This Ethernet adapter supports data transfer speeds of up to 100 Gbps and is commonly used in high-performance computing environments such as data centers and high-performance computing clusters.
- Wireless Ethernet Adapter: This Ethernet adapter connects to a wireless network and provides wireless connectivity to computers and servers. It is commonly used in laptops and mobile devices.
Ethernet adapter options can also vary in terms of the number of ports, physical interface type (such as SFP or RJ45), and compatibility with specific hardware and software. When selecting an Ethernet adapter, it is important to consider the specific requirements of your network and the performance needs of your applications.
General Information about the 870825-B21
- Manufacturer Name: HPE
- Part Number or SKU#n 870825-B21
- Product Type: Ethernet Adapter
Technical Information
- Ports : 25 Gigabit Ethernet X 2
- Form Factor : Plug-In Card
- Interface (Bus) Type : Flexiblelom
- Pci Specification Revision : Pcie 3.0
Networking
- Connectivity Technology : Wired
- Data Link Protocol : 10 Gigabit Ethernet, 25 Gigabit Ethernet
- Data Transfer Rate : 25 GBPS
- Performance : Bidirectional Throughput: 100 GBPS ¦ Bandwidth Per Port: 50 GBPS
- Capacity : Jumbo Frame Size: Up To 9.2 Kb
- Remote Management Protocol : Snmp
- Status Indicators : Link/Activity
- Features : Vlan Support, Ipv6 Support, Full Duplex Mode, Tcp/Ip Offloading, Quality Of Service (Qos), Jumbo Frames Support, Ipv4 Support, Pxe Support, Lacp Support, Lldp Support, Large Send Offload (Lso), Receive Side Scaling (Rss), Uefi Support, Tcp Segmentation Offload (Tso), Qos Tagging, Extended Message-Signaled Interrupts (Msi-X), Udp/Ip Offloading, Tcp/Ip Checksum Offload, Rdma Over Converged Ethernet (Roce), Virtual Extensible Lan (Vxlan), Network Virtualization Using Generic Routing Encapsulation (Nvgre), Rdma Over Converged Ethernet (Roce) V2
- Compliant Standards : IEEE 802.1q, IEEE 802.1p, IEEE 802.3x, IEEE 802.3ad (Lacp), IEEE 802.3ae, IEEE 802.1ab (Lldp), IEEE 802.3az, IEEE 802.1qbb, IEEE 802.1qaz, IEEE 802.1qau, IEEE 802.1qbg, IEEE 1588v2
Processor / Memory
- Processor : 1 X Mellanox Connectx-4 Lx – Mellanox Technologies
- Expansion / Connectivity:
- Interfaces : 2 X 25GB Ethernet – Sfp28





