Reddit reviews Ethernet Svr Adapter X520-DA2

A few comments:

a) I'm not sure what the difference is (in your mind) between transfer speed and transfer rate, usually these refer to the same thing. Do you mean transfer rate and transfer latency?

If you need to get the lowest possible latency, then the ExaNIC X10 is probably the best option: https://exablaze.com/exanic-x10. It also does high precision time stamping/capture, kernel space bypass and has a direct access API for writing very low latency applications.

If you need to get the highest possible transfer rate, then you'll want a 40Gb/s card like the X710 instead of a 10Gb/s card (http://www.intel.co.uk/content/www/uk/en/network-adapters/converged-network-adapters/ethernet-xl710-brief.html)

If you need the best trade off between latency, speed and cost, then the X520 (or X540 - basically the same) is probably perfect.

b) As far as I know, there is no such thing as an X510-SR1, do you mean the X520-SR1? There is nothing specifically "fibre" about the X520 NICs. They simply have an SFP+ interface which you can use for either a fibre with an SFP+ adapter, or with a direct attach cable (DA cable). Unless you are planning to optically tap, or run long range experiments (100m+) or your lab is in the middle of a magnetic storm zone, I would strongly recommend just getting a DA cable because they are cheaper and more robust than fibre (and very very slightly ( a few nano-seconds) lower latency. )

If you are using a fibre with you will probably want to look for an 850nm multi-mode fibre with LC connections and two 10G SFP+ fibre adapter modules something like this (https://www.finisar.com/optical-transceivers/ftlx8571d3bcv). If you connect two these together directly and place one end into each NIC you'll be able to do the transfer fine.

If you are looking to increase the speed, you could get two DA cables (or four SFP+ and two fibres) and use both ports on the NIC to create a bonded pair. In this case you could get closer to 20Gb/s (with the x520) or closer to 80Gb/s (with the x710).

In any of these circumstances for the simple set-up are you describing you will not need any adapters, switches, hubs cross over cables or anything like that. These are hangovers from old 10/100M networking. The most basic setup would be two X520-DA2's (e.g http://www.amazon.co.uk/Intel-X520-DA2-Ethernet-Adapter-Express/dp/B002I9L7PS) and two 10G, 1M DA (twinax) cables (http://www.amazon.co.uk/StarTech-com-Compatible-Copper-Twinax-Passive/dp/B00B3T6C9U/ref=sr_1_3?s=computers&ie=UTF8&qid=1450186490&sr=1-3&keywords=twinax+cable). That should do everything you want.

Lol, the boxes are opened and you can get a brand new in box unit for $150. Man alive everything thinks their shit is worth gold. It doesn't matter what you paid for it, only what others will pay for it. Nobody will pay that price for a NEW SEALED one even

I just have to comment because I am absolutely BAFFLED by sellers like you. You're asking for more than any retail place charges for a brand new product but you're trying to sell opened used product, you're nuts.

http://www.ebay.com/sch/i.html?_from=R40&_sacat=0&_nkw=E10G42BTda&_dcat=20318&rt=nc&LH_ItemCondition=3&_trksid=p2045573.m1684.


http://www.amazon.com/Intel-E10G42BTDA-Ethernet-Adapter-X520-DA2/dp/B002I9L7PS/ref=sr_1_1?ie=UTF8&qid=1453226248&sr=8-1&keywords=E10G42BTda