HP NC7170 Dual Port PCI-X Gigabit Server Adapter

The HP NC7170 Dual Port PCI-X Gigabit Server Adapter is designed to provide two independent 10/100/1000-T Ethernet connections through a single expansion card. For server administrators working with PCI-X based systems, the dual-port design is a significant advantage — it allows network redundancy, failover, or link aggregation without consuming a second expansion slot. Both ports use standard RJ-45 connectors and support auto-negotiation, so they adapt automatically to the speed of the connected switch or network infrastructure.

Built to HP's enterprise standards, the NC7170 is intended for server environments where uptime and reliability are critical. The dual-port configuration is particularly valuable for servers running virtualization platforms, file services, or database workloads where a single point of network failure is unacceptable. While the PCI-X interface means this card is limited to older server hardware, it remains a cost-effective option for extending the life of legacy systems that still serve a role in the data center or lab. Administrators should verify driver compatibility with their target operating system before deployment.