I've been itching to speed up my workstation-to-server performance.
This leads me to 10gb NICs.
I prefer the Intel generic cards, because they are the common denominator, very well supported under Windows, VMware and various 'Nix flavors.
The OEM builds based on the Intel chipset *can* have locked firmware or other customization issues proprietary to that OEM, so I avoid them (Dell, HP, etc).
The Intel X540-T2 is EOL, and for good reason.
It works well, but runs very hot under load.
The follow-on X550-T2 is a far better card for a few $$ more.
It runs much cooler and is a single-chip design.
It isn't supported by Windows 11 Update, but I don't give a shit about Win11 anyway (can be installed manually from Intel driver packs).
I took a chance and ordered a pair of new X550-T2 from an eBay seller in China.
The intent is a peer-to-peer CAT6 cable between Workstation and Server as an additional separate subnnet.
These cards have auto MDX, so no crossover cable is required.
CAT6a is not required over short distances less than 50 meters.
Mine are all in the same room, so distance is not an issue.
No default gateway or DNS required.
Both machines have a primary LAN connection for gateway and DNS.
The Workstation will have a HOSTS entry that points directly to the Server and the secondary 10gb subnet IP.
Data transfer performance is still restricted by 5400 rpm disks on Server once the Write cache is full.
I figure it will be a fun project even if not much performance improvement.
This leads me to 10gb NICs.
I prefer the Intel generic cards, because they are the common denominator, very well supported under Windows, VMware and various 'Nix flavors.
The OEM builds based on the Intel chipset *can* have locked firmware or other customization issues proprietary to that OEM, so I avoid them (Dell, HP, etc).
The Intel X540-T2 is EOL, and for good reason.
It works well, but runs very hot under load.
The follow-on X550-T2 is a far better card for a few $$ more.
It runs much cooler and is a single-chip design.
It isn't supported by Windows 11 Update, but I don't give a shit about Win11 anyway (can be installed manually from Intel driver packs).
I took a chance and ordered a pair of new X550-T2 from an eBay seller in China.
The intent is a peer-to-peer CAT6 cable between Workstation and Server as an additional separate subnnet.
These cards have auto MDX, so no crossover cable is required.
CAT6a is not required over short distances less than 50 meters.
Mine are all in the same room, so distance is not an issue.
No default gateway or DNS required.
Both machines have a primary LAN connection for gateway and DNS.
The Workstation will have a HOSTS entry that points directly to the Server and the secondary 10gb subnet IP.
Data transfer performance is still restricted by 5400 rpm disks on Server once the Write cache is full.
I figure it will be a fun project even if not much performance improvement.
