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This NIC card compatible with ESX 5.1 for my home lab?

Hi guys,

I wondered if anyone could confirm or not if this NIC would be compatible with ESX 5.1 at gigabit speeds...

http://cgi.ebay.co.uk/ws/eBayISAPI.dll?ViewItem&item=190754716323&fromMakeTrack=true&ssPageName=VIP:watchlink:top:en

I need a cheap NIC al least duel port for my home lab, I saw this quad port and thought what the hell. I just want to be confident that it will auto-negotiate with GS108 at full 1000GB speed within ESX 5.1 unlike my on-board broadcom with only seems to run at 100mb. I would also like to use jumbo frames too for a little boost in performance.

I have checked the HW compatibility list however there seems to be two entries which is muddying the waters a tad for me and I don't know how to confirm if it will work for sure

They are ...

http://www.vmware.com/resources/compatibility/vcl/result.php?search=Intel+Pro%2F1000+MT+Quad&searchCategory=IO+Devices

Any idea's or recommendations from eBay are welcome.

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Tony Giangreco

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lukeglazebrook

ASKER

Hi TG-TIS,

There are two results listed on my last link the first one implies its only compatible up to version 3.5 the second suggests its compatible up to 5.1 that's why I am un-clear.

Do you know of a particularly good multiport NIC that supports jumbo frames and VMDQ

Andrew Hancock (VMware vExpert PRO / EE Fellow/British Beekeeper)

Yes, its based and uses the E1000.o module driver, we have those cards in our labs for ESXi5.1.

Andrew Hancock (VMware vExpert PRO / EE Fellow/British Beekeeper)

are you looking for a quad card?

Intel and Broadcom are the best makes to look for, thats a good price on eBay, quad Broadcom have cost us 200 each!

Tony Giangreco

Yes, as Hanccocka confirms, it works fine with 5.1

Andrew Hancock (VMware vExpert PRO / EE Fellow/British Beekeeper)

what you have to establish which is difficult purchasing second hand especially with Intel OEM NICS is the vendor PCI ID. and this can only be obtained when inserted in the server or computer.

the problem with ebay is the description sellers give their cards, and part numbers, because Intel have many OEM cards.

lukeglazebrook

ASKER

Dont suppose you have any idea if this will support teaming? I will shortly be receiving a new Synology NAS and apparently the next firmware release will support teaming in ESX 5.1 specifically.

Andrew Hancock (VMware vExpert PRO / EE Fellow/British Beekeeper)

you can team nics on a vSwitch

We also use these

Broadcom NetXtreme II 5709 Quad Port NICs
http://www.dell.com/us/enterprise/p/broadcom-netxtremeii-5709-bcm/pd

But you did not state a budget.

lukeglazebrook

ASKER

Those look more interesting and it looks like they produce duel port models also which are a tad more affordable.

Do you happen to know if these work with non-dell kit also? I have an customized HP ML110 G5 motherboard picture ...

http://jouhoujuice.com/en/blog/2011/07/07/hp-proliant-ml110-g5-review.html

Andrew Hancock (VMware vExpert PRO / EE Fellow/British Beekeeper)

If you are using HP kit, you will want to use HP Parts.

NC364T PCI Express Quad Port Gigabit Server Adapter

http://h18004.www1.hp.com/products/servers/networking/nc364t/index.html
http://h20195.www2.hp.com/v2/GetPDF.aspx/c01710672.pdf

lukeglazebrook

ASKER

Hmm they Broadcom seem to make the same cards for HP's too ...

http://www.broadcom.com/press/release.php?id=s373935

my gut feeling tells me the Dell ones would probably work however I suppose it would be a gamble

Andrew Hancock (VMware vExpert PRO / EE Fellow/British Beekeeper)

broadcom do, the difference is the firmware.

Tony Giangreco

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Tony Giangreco

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