Intel OCP 3.0 - QSFP28 x 2 Ethernet Network Adapter

Overview

The Intel E810CQDA2OCPV3 is a high-performance server network adapter designed to deliver dual 100 gigabit Ethernet connections through two QSFP28 ports. It fits into an OCP 3.0 slot, providing up to 200 gigabit aggregate throughput without occupying a full-height PCIe slot. Powered by the Intel Ethernet Controller E810 and connected via PCIe 4.0, this adapter ensures efficient packet processing and sustained high data transfer rates, making it suitable for demanding data center environments.

Key features

• Dual QSFP28 ports that provide flexible and scalable 100 GbE connectivity for high-bandwidth applications
• PCIe 4.0 interface that supports fast and reliable data transfer between the adapter and server
• Remote Direct Memory Access (RDMA) over RoCEv2 and iWARP protocols to minimize latency and offload CPU processing
• Precision Time Protocol version 2 (PTP v2) support to maintain accurate synchronization across distributed systems
• Application Device Queues that enable efficient traffic management and quality of service enforcement
• Dynamic Device Personalization for precise packet classification and optimized virtual function assignment
• Compatibility with iSCSI and NFS storage protocols, facilitating seamless integration with storage networks
• Compact OCP 3.0 form factor that fits modern server architectures without occupying traditional PCIe slots

Key specs

• Ports: 2 x QSFP28 supporting 100 GbE each
• Controller: Intel Ethernet Controller E810
• Interface: PCIe 4.0
• Supported protocols: RDMA over RoCEv2 and iWARP
• Network synchronization: Precision Time Protocol (PTP) version 2
• Operating temperature range: 32 °F to 149 °F

Connectivity and compatibility

This adapter integrates smoothly into servers equipped with OCP 3.0 slots, offering a direct connection to high-speed Ethernet networks. Its support for iSCSI and NFS protocols makes it a strong choice for storage appliances and database servers. The PCIe 4.0 interface ensures compatibility with modern server motherboards, while RDMA support benefits AI clusters, HPC workloads, and storage arrays that require low-latency data transfers.

Performance and reliability

With the Intel Ethernet Controller E810 at its core, the adapter efficiently handles packet processing to reduce CPU load and improve overall system performance. The inclusion of Application Device Queues and Dynamic Device Personalization allows administrators to fine-tune traffic flow and maintain quality of service, which is critical in multi-tenant or virtualized environments. Its operating temperature range supports reliable operation in typical data center conditions.

Ideal uses and environments

This network adapter is well suited to cloud hosting providers, enterprise virtualization clusters, and storage networks that demand high throughput and low latency. It fits environments where space is limited but performance cannot be compromised, such as dense server racks or blade servers. Organizations running 5G core services, financial platforms, or scientific applications will benefit from its precise time synchronization and efficient data handling capabilities.