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Intel X520-SR2 10G SFP+ Ethernet PCI-e Adapter E10G42BFSR — main product image
Intel X520-SR2 10G SFP+ Ethernet PCI-e Adapter E10G42BFSR
Intel X520-SR2 10G SFP+ Ethernet PCI-e Adapter E10G42BFSR
Intel X520-SR2 10G SFP+ Ethernet PCI-e Adapter E10G42BFSR
Intel X520-SR2 10G SFP+ Ethernet PCI-e Adapter E10G42BFSR
Intel

Intel X520-SR2 10G SFP+ Ethernet PCI-e Adapter E10G42BFSR

★★★★★4.3 (2 reviews)

Intel's X520-SR2 dual-port 10GbE SFP+ adapter delivers high-throughput, low-latency networking powered by the proven 82599ES controller.

$65.00*
✓ In Stock on Amazon.com
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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 X520-SR2 (E10G42BFSR) is a dual-port 10 Gigabit Ethernet server adapter built around Intel's 82599ES controller, one of the most widely deployed 10GbE chips in data center and enterprise environments. Each of its two SFP+ ports supports short-range multimode fiber connections, making it well-suited for in-rack and cross-rack server connectivity where low latency and high bandwidth are essential. The card plugs into a standard PCIe slot and is recognized out of the box by virtually every major operating system and hypervisor, including Windows Server, Linux distributions, VMware ESXi, and FreeBSD.

Beyond basic Ethernet connectivity, the X520-SR2 functions as a converged network adapter capable of handling iSCSI and Fibre Channel over Ethernet (FCoE) traffic alongside standard network data. For virtualized environments, SR-IOV support allows the adapter to create virtual functions that can be passed directly to individual virtual machines, bypassing the software switch layer and reducing CPU overhead. This makes the X520-SR2 a practical choice for hyperconverged infrastructure, NAS builds, and any environment where reliable, high-throughput networking is needed without investing in the latest generation of 25G or 100G hardware.

Specifications

Brand
Intel
Model
X520-SR2 (E10G42BFSR)
Ports
2 x 10G SFP+
Interface
PCI Express
Controller
Intel 82599ES
Adapter Type
Converged Network Adapter
Connector Type
SFP+ (Short Range / Multimode Fiber)

Pros & Cons

👍 Pros

  • Dual 10G SFP+ ports on a single card reduce slot usage while doubling available bandwidth for multi-network or redundant configurations.
  • The Intel 82599ES controller has broad driver support across Windows, Linux, VMware, and FreeBSD, minimizing compatibility issues.
  • SR-IOV support allows the adapter to present virtual functions directly to VMs, reducing hypervisor overhead in virtualized environments.
  • Converged networking capability supports Ethernet, iSCSI, and FCoE on the same adapter, consolidating network infrastructure.

👎 Cons

  • SFP+ transceivers and fiber optic cabling are required but not included, adding to the total deployment cost.
  • The adapter requires a server or workstation with an available PCIe slot and adequate airflow — it is not suitable for compact or fanless systems.
  • 10GbE performance depends on the rest of the network infrastructure; users without a 10G switch will not realize the adapter's full throughput.
  • As an older-generation adapter, it lacks support for newer standards like 25GbE that are becoming common in data center refreshes.

Frequently Asked Questions

The X520-SR2 is a dual-port adapter, providing two independent 10G SFP+ connections from a single PCIe card.
The card uses standard SFP+ slots compatible with short-range (SR) multimode fiber optic transceivers. Modules are typically sold separately.
It connects via a PCI Express slot and uses the Intel 82599ES controller, which is widely supported across server and workstation platforms.
Yes, the Intel 82599ES controller is well-supported by VMware ESXi, Linux KVM, Hyper-V, and other hypervisors, with features like SR-IOV for virtual function passthrough.
Yes, Intel classifies the X520-SR2 as a converged network adapter, supporting standard Ethernet traffic alongside storage protocols like iSCSI and FCoE.

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