Network Adapters
Network Adapters spans several kinds of hardware: server and workstation NICs, USB Ethernet adapters like StarTech's USB31000S and Belkin's 10/100 dongles, USB Wi-Fi adapters such as TP-Link's Archer T3U, and interface cards for routers and other network equipment. Server NICs range from 1GbE copper to 10GbE and faster SFP+ cards. Before comparing ports and speeds, decide where the adapter will plug in: a PCIe slot, a vendor mezzanine slot, a USB port or a router's interface bay.
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Network Adapters: 10,140 products
Buying guide
Choosing a network adapter
Slot and bracket
Standard PCIe cards come with low-profile or full-height brackets. Vendor mezzanine and daughter cards (HPE FlexibleLOM, Dell rNDC, OCP 3.0) fit only their own slot.
Speed and media
1GbE usually means RJ45; 10GbE comes as SFP+ or 10GBASE-T copper; 25GbE uses SFP28; 40GbE and 100GbE use QSFP+ and QSFP28.
Optics and cables
Some adapters and switches accept only transceivers coded for that vendor. Check before mixing optics or DAC cables.
NIC, HBA or CNA
Fibre Channel HBAs (8, 16 and 32Gb) connect to SANs, SAS HBAs to external disk shelves, and converged adapters (CNAs) carry both Ethernet and storage traffic.
Network Adapters
Frequently asked questions
Will a 10GBASE-T adapter work with my 1GbE switch?
Yes. 10GBASE-T ports negotiate down to 1GbE over standard copper cabling. SFP+ adapters are different: they need a 1GbE-capable SFP module to link at 1GbE.
Is a USB Ethernet adapter fast enough for a laptop?
A USB 3.0 Gigabit adapter delivers close to full gigabit speed. USB 2.0 adapters top out well below that.
What's a network daughter card?
A NIC built for a dedicated slot on a specific server, like Dell's rNDC or HPE's FlexibleLOM. It leaves the PCIe slots free but only fits that server family.
