Intel

Intel EXPX9501AFXSR 10 Gigabit XF SR Server Adapter

Name: Intel EXPX9501AFXSR 10 Gigabit XF SR Server Adapter
Brand: Intel
SKU: EXPX9501AFXSR - BB1496

Intel 10 Gigabit XF SR server adapter delivering high-throughput, low-latency network connectivity for demanding data center workloads.

$210.00*

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*Price sourced from Amazon.com. Last updated:Jun 04, 2026.Price and availability are subject to change.

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Overview

The Intel EXPX9501AFXSR 10 Gigabit XF SR Server Adapter is built for environments where network throughput directly impacts application performance. Whether handling large-scale storage I/O, live virtual machine migrations, or database replication traffic, this adapter delivers 10 Gbps of bandwidth over short-range multimode fiber. The SR optical interface supports distances up to 300 meters on OM3 fiber, making it well-suited for connections within a data center or between nearby server rooms.

Backed by Intel's well-established networking driver stack, the EXPX9501AFXSR integrates smoothly with Windows Server, major Linux distributions, and popular hypervisors. Hardware offload capabilities help reduce the CPU cycles consumed by network processing, freeing server resources for application workloads. For organizations building out or refreshing their 10GbE infrastructure, this adapter offers the reliability and interoperability that Intel's server networking products are known for.

Specifications

Brand

Intel

Model

EXPX9501AFXSR (BB1496)

Type

Network Adapter

Interface

10 Gigabit XF SR

Connection

Multimode Fiber (Short Range)

Pros & Cons

👍 Pros

10 Gigabit throughput provides substantial bandwidth for storage traffic, VM migration, and inter-server communication
SR multimode fiber supports runs up to 300 meters, suitable for intra-building data center connections
Intel's mature driver ecosystem ensures broad compatibility across Windows Server, Linux, and hypervisor platforms
Offload features reduce CPU overhead for network processing in high-traffic server environments

👎 Cons

Requires multimode fiber infrastructure and compatible SFP+ optics, adding cost if your environment is copper-only
Single-port design means a second adapter is needed for redundancy or additional bandwidth
As an older-generation Intel 10GbE adapter, it lacks newer features found in current Intel Ethernet 800 series cards

Frequently Asked Questions

What type of fiber optic connection does the EXPX9501AFXSR use?

It uses a short-range (SR) multimode fiber optic connection, typically supporting distances up to 300 meters over OM3 multimode fiber cable.

What PCIe slot does this adapter require?

The Intel EXPX9501AFXSR is a PCIe x8 network adapter. It requires an available PCIe x8 or x16 slot in your server.

Does this adapter support link aggregation or teaming with other Intel NICs?

Yes, Intel's network adapters generally support Advanced Networking Services including link aggregation (teaming), VLANs, and failover configurations through Intel's driver and management software.

Is this adapter compatible with virtualization platforms like VMware ESXi or Hyper-V?

Intel 10 Gigabit adapters have broad driver support across major operating systems and hypervisors including VMware ESXi, Microsoft Hyper-V, and various Linux distributions, though you should verify your specific OS version against Intel's compatibility list.