Description
Unveiling the SolarFlare SFN7122F 10GB Dual Port SFP+ 1 PCI-E I/O Server Adapter
The SolarFlare SFN7122F is a high-performance 10 Gigabit Ethernet (10Gbps) server adapter designed to meet the demanding networking requirements of modern data centers. In this detailed guide, we will delve into the features, specifications, and benefits of the SFN7122F, focusing on its dual-port Small Form-Factor Pluggable Plus (SFP+) design, Peripheral Component Interconnect Express (PCI-E) interface, and Low Profile form factor. Whether you are an IT professional, network administrator, or someone interested in advanced networking solutions, this article aims to provide a comprehensive understanding of the SolarFlare SFN7122F.
Overview of SolarFlare SFN7122F
The SolarFlare SFN7122F is a dual-port 10Gbps Ethernet server adapter that leverages SFP+ technology for enhanced flexibility and scalability in data center networking. As businesses increasingly rely on high-speed data transfer and low-latency communication, adapters like the SFN7122F play a crucial role in ensuring efficient and reliable network performance.
Key Features
- Dual-Port SFP+ Design: The SFN7122F features two SFP+ ports, allowing for dual-channel communication at 10Gbps speeds. SFP+ technology, known for its small form factor and hot-swappability, enables easy customization and maintenance of network connections.
- PCI-E Interface: This server adapter utilizes the Peripheral Component Interconnect Express (PCI-E) interface, a high-speed serial computer expansion bus standard. PCI-E offers advantages such as increased bandwidth, reduced latency, and improved data transfer rates compared to traditional PCI interfaces.
- Low Profile Form Factor: The Low Profile design of the SFN7122F is particularly beneficial for space-constrained server environments. The compact form factor ensures compatibility with a wide range of server configurations, making it an ideal choice for both enterprise and data center applications.
Technical Specifications
To better understand the capabilities of the SolarFlare SFN7122F, let’s explore its technical specifications:
- Data Rate: The SFN7122F supports a data rate of 10Gbps per port, providing a total aggregate throughput of 20Gbps in full-duplex mode. This high-speed connectivity is essential for handling bandwidth-intensive applications and large data transfers.
- SFP+ Module Compatibility: The SFP+ ports on the adapter are compatible with a variety of SFP+ modules, allowing users to choose the most suitable transceivers for their specific networking needs. This flexibility enhances the adaptability of the SFN7122F in diverse network environments.
- PCI-E Version: This server adapter supports PCI Express Gen3, the third generation of the PCI-E interface standard. PCI-E Gen3 offers increased data transfer rates and bandwidth, optimizing the overall performance of the SFN7122F in PCIe-enabled servers.
- Low Latency: The SFN7122F is engineered for low-latency communication, a critical factor in applications where real-time data processing is paramount. Low latency ensures minimal delays in data transmission, making the adapter suitable for latency-sensitive workloads.
Benefits of SolarFlare SFN7122F
- High Performance: With its dual-port 10Gbps SFP+ design and PCI-E Gen3 interface, the SFN7122F delivers high-performance networking capabilities. This makes it well-suited for demanding applications such as virtualization, cloud computing, and high-frequency trading.
- Scalability: The flexibility of SFP+ technology allows for easy scalability. Users can choose different SFP+ modules based on their network requirements, adapting the SFN7122F to various environments and future network expansions.
- Space Efficiency: The Low Profile form factor of the SFN7122F is advantageous for servers with limited space. This compact design ensures compatibility with a wide range of server chassis, making it an ideal solution for both blade servers and standard rack-mounted servers.
- Reliability and Compatibility: SolarFlare is known for producing reliable and compatible networking solutions. The SFN7122F is designed to seamlessly integrate with major operating systems and server platforms, providing a reliable and consistent networking experience.
Performance Testing and Benchmarking
After the installation and configuration process, it’s advisable to conduct performance testing and benchmarking to validate the capabilities of the SolarFlare SFN7122F. Consider the following steps:
- Bandwidth Testing: Use network testing tools to measure the bandwidth of the SFN7122F. Transfer large files between servers or use dedicated bandwidth testing applications to ensure that the adapter achieves the expected data transfer rates.
- Latency Testing: Evaluate the latency of the SFN7122F by sending and receiving small packets of data. Low latency is crucial for real-time applications, and testing helps verify that the adapter meets latency-sensitive requirements.
- Jitter Analysis: Jitter, or the variation in latency over time, can impact the performance of certain applications. Perform jitter analysis to ensure a consistent and predictable network response from the SFN7122F.
- Compatibility Testing: Verify the compatibility of the SFN7122F with your existing network infrastructure. Test interoperability with switches, routers, and other networking equipment to ensure seamless communication.
Server Adapter Applications
The SolarFlare SFN7122F’s versatility extends its applications to a myriad of scenarios within the data center and networking landscape. Some notable applications include:
Data Center Connectivity
- The SFN7122F enhances data center connectivity by providing high-speed, reliable connections for data-intensive applications and services.
Virtualization
- In virtualized environments, the adapter’s 10GbE capabilities prove instrumental in supporting the increased data traffic generated by virtual machines.
High-Performance Computing (HPC)
- The dual port configuration and high-speed data transfer make the SFN7122F well-suited for HPC environments, where quick and efficient communication is critical.
Cloud Computing
- Cloud service providers benefit from the SFN7122F’s capabilities, ensuring seamless connectivity and high-speed data transfer for cloud-based applications and services.
Storage Networking
- The adapter’s 10GbE support is advantageous in storage networking scenarios, facilitating the rapid transfer of large volumes of data between servers and storage devices.
General Information of the Solarflare SFN7122F 2 Ports PCI-E Network Adapter
- Manufacturer: SolarFlare
- Part Number or SKU# SFN7122F
- Device Type: Network Adapter
- Interface (Bus) Type: PCI Express 3.0 X8
Networking Details of 10 Gigabit Ethernet Server Adapter
- Form Factor: Plug-in Card (Low Profile)
- PCI Specification Revision: PCIe 3.0
- Ports: 10 Gigabit SFP+ x 2
- Connectivity Technology: Wired
- Data Link Protocol: 10 Gigabit Ethernet (10 GbE)
- Data Transfer Rate: 10 Gbps
- Network/Transport Protocol: TCP/IP, UDP/IP
Features
- IPv6 Support
- Jumbo Frames Support
- IPv4 Support
- PXE Support
- Large Send Offload (LSO)
- Giant Send Offload (GSO)
- Large Receive Offload (LRO)
- Receive Side Scaling (RSS)
- Single Root I/O Virtualization (SR-IOV)
- TCP Segmentation Offload (TSO)
- Accelerated Receive Flow Steering (RFS)
- SNMP Support
- Compliant Standards:
- IEEE 802.1Q
- IEEE 802.1P
- IEEE 802.3x
- IEEE 802.3ad (LACP)
- IEEE 802.3ae
Expansion/Connectivity
- Interfaces: 2 x 10GBASE-T – SFP+ (Small Form-Factor Pluggable Plus)
Finally, the SolarFlare SFN7122F 10Gbps Dual Port SFP+ PCIe Low Profile Server Adapter represents a cutting-edge solution for high-performance networking in data centers. With its dual-port SFP+ design, PCI-E interface, and Low Profile form factor, the SFN7122F offers a balance of speed, flexibility, and space efficiency. Whether you are upgrading existing infrastructure or building a new server environment, the SFN7122F provides the reliability and performance required for modern networking demands. By following best practices in installation, configuration, and performance testing, users can unlock the full potential of this advanced server adapter from SolarFlare.
