QNAP Dual-Port 100GbE PCIe 4.0 Network Expansion Card

Overview

The QNAP QXG-100G2SF-CX6 is a dual-port 100GbE PCIe 4.0 network expansion card designed to deliver ultra-high-speed connectivity for demanding data environments. It features the Mellanox ConnectX-6 Dx controller, enabling a total throughput of up to 200 Gbps by supporting multiple Ethernet speeds including 1, 10, 25, 40, and 50 Gbps. This card is ideal for professionals who require fast and reliable network performance in virtualization, all-flash storage, and high-bandwidth applications.

Key features

• Dual QSFP28 ports provide flexible options for high-speed network connections and support port trunking to combine bandwidth for maximum data transfer efficiency.
• PCIe Gen 4 x16 interface ensures the card can handle the highest data throughput available on modern platforms.
• SR-IOV support allocates dedicated bandwidth to virtual machines, enhancing performance in virtualized environments.
• RoCE technology reduces latency, making it suitable for latency-sensitive applications such as real-time data processing and virtualization.
• Broad compatibility with QNAP QTS and QuTS hero operating systems, as well as Windows and Linux, allows seamless integration into diverse IT setups.
• Includes both low-profile and full-height brackets, enabling installation in a wide range of server and workstation cases.

Key specs

• Network ports: 2 x 100GbE QSFP28
• Controller: Mellanox ConnectX-6 Dx
• Interface: PCIe Gen 4 x16
• Supported Ethernet speeds: 1, 10, 25, 40, 50, 100 Gbps
• Total throughput: up to 200 Gbps
• Compatibility: QNAP QTS, QuTS hero, Windows, Linux
• Form factor: includes low-profile and full-height brackets

Connectivity and compatibility

This expansion card supports a wide range of Ethernet speeds, making it adaptable to various network infrastructures. The dual QSFP28 ports allow connection to high-speed switches or direct server links, while port trunking can be used to aggregate bandwidth for demanding data transfers. Its compatibility with major operating systems ensures it fits well into existing environments without requiring specialized drivers or software.

Performance and reliability

Powered by the Mellanox ConnectX-6 Dx controller, the card delivers consistent and reliable performance even under heavy network loads. Features like SR-IOV and RoCE optimize virtualization and reduce latency, which is critical for applications that depend on fast and stable network communication. The PCIe Gen 4 interface further guarantees that the card can fully utilize the bandwidth capabilities of modern servers and workstations.

Installation and setup

The QXG-100G2SF-CX6 comes with both low-profile and full-height brackets, making it compatible with a variety of chassis sizes. This flexibility simplifies installation in different server or workstation configurations. The card’s plug-and-play design with supported operating systems reduces setup time, allowing users to quickly upgrade their network capabilities without extensive configuration.

Ideal uses and environments

This network expansion card is well suited to data centers, virtualization hosts, and professional workstations that require ultra-fast network connections. It fits environments where large volumes of data must be transferred quickly and reliably, such as all-flash storage arrays, VMware virtualization setups, and high-performance computing clusters. IT professionals looking to future-proof their infrastructure with 100GbE connectivity will find this card a strong choice.