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AddOn 538696-B21-AO HP Gigabit Ethernet Card - Quad Port 10/100/1000Mbs PCIe 2.0 x 4 Network Interface Card - Intel 82580 Chipset
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Product Features
Product Overview
The AddOn 538696-B21-AO HP Gigabit Ethernet Card delivers a reliable quad-port networking solution designed for server environments requiring enhanced connectivity and bandwidth. This PCI Express 2.0 x4 network interface card provides four RJ-45 ports, supporting 10/100/1000Base-T network technology over twisted pair cabling for data transfers up to 100 meters.
Built with an Intel 82580 chipset, this adapter ensures stable performance and compatibility with modern server hardware. The plug-in card form factor includes both half-height and full-height brackets, offering flexible installation options to fit various server chassis configurations. With a lifetime limited warranty, this card provides a cost-effective upgrade or replacement for existing network interfaces.
Relevant factors for this section include Chipset Manufacturer, Chipset Model, Host Interface, Total Number of Ports. When those points are considered together, they give buyers a clearer picture of how the product is equipped, how it fits into deployment, and what kind of day-to-day role it is meant to support.
Technical Overview
This Gigabit Ethernet card features a PCI Express 2.0 x4 host interface, delivering up to 2000 MB/s bandwidth to handle demanding network traffic. The quad RJ-45 ports support auto-negotiation for 10Mbps, 100Mbps, and 1000Mbps speeds, ensuring backward compatibility with existing network infrastructure.
The Intel 82580 chipset provides advanced networking features, including support for virtualization and converged infrastructure environments. The card operates with standard twisted pair cables, making it easy to integrate into current cabling setups without requiring specialized media.
Relevant factors for this section include Chipset Manufacturer, Chipset Model, Host Interface, Total Number of Ports. When those points are considered together, they give buyers a clearer picture of how the product is equipped, how it fits into deployment, and what kind of day-to-day role it is meant to support.
Key Product Advantages
This network adapter offers several advantages for server deployments, starting with its quad-port design that reduces the need for multiple single-port cards. The inclusion of both half-height and full-height brackets ensures compatibility with a wide range of server form factors, from rack-mounted systems to compact tower servers.
Enhanced Connectivity
Four RJ-45 ports provide multiple network connections for load balancing, failover, or segregating network traffic, improving overall network reliability and performance.
- Supports server virtualization
- Enables converged infrastructure
- Reduces power consumption
Easy Installation
The plug-in card design and included brackets allow for straightforward installation in standard PCI Express slots, minimizing deployment time and complexity.
Deployment / Use Cases
This Gigabit Ethernet card is ideal for server environments that require additional network ports or upgraded connectivity. It serves as a direct replacement for HP 538696-B21 network interface cards, providing comparable performance and compatibility.
Common deployment scenarios include data centers implementing virtualization, where multiple network connections are needed for virtual machine traffic separation. It also supports converged infrastructure setups that combine storage and data networks, and is suitable for power reduction initiatives by consolidating network adapters into fewer physical cards.
Server Virtualization
Provides dedicated network ports for virtual machines, improving network isolation and performance in virtualized environments.
Network Expansion
Adds four Gigabit Ethernet ports to servers that need increased connectivity for applications like database servers, file servers, or application servers.
What's in the Box
The package includes everything needed for installation and operation.
Package contents include HP Gigabit Ethernet Card Half-height and full-height brackets. These included items support setup, installation, and immediate deployment without needing to source the core bundled accessories separately.
Highlights
- Quad RJ-45 ports for multiple network connections
- PCI Express 2.0 x4 host interface with 2000 MB/s bandwidth
- Intel 82580 chipset for reliable performance
- Supports 10/100/1000Base-T network technology
- Works with standard twisted pair cables up to 100 meters
- Includes both half-height and full-height brackets
- Designed specifically for server deployment
- Lifetime limited warranty for long-term reliability
- Plug-in card form factor for easy installation
- Ideal for virtualization and converged infrastructure
Specifications
| Specifications | |
|---|---|
| Manufacturer | AddOn |
| Manufacturer Part Number | 538696-B21-AO |
| Brand Name | AddOn |
| Product Name | HP Gigabit Ethernet Card |
| Packaged Quantity | 1 |
| Product Type | Gigabit Ethernet Card |
| Technical Information | |
| Chipset Manufacturer | Intel |
| Chipset Model | 82580 |
| Interfaces/Ports | |
| Host Interface | PCI Express 2.0 x4 |
| Total Number of Ports | 4 |
| Number of Network (RJ-45) Ports | 4 |
| Media & Performance | |
| Media Type Supported | Twisted Pair |
| Network & Communication | |
| Network Technology | 10/100/1000Base-T |
| Physical Characteristics | |
| Form Factor | Plug-in Card |
| Miscellaneous | |
| Package Contents | HP Gigabit Ethernet Card Half-height and full-height brackets |
| Device Supported | Server |
| Country of Origin | China |
| Warranty | |
| Limited Warranty | Lifetime |
FAQ
What type of servers is this network card compatible with?
This Gigabit Ethernet card is designed for server deployment and compatible with systems that have available PCI Express 2.0 x4 slots. It includes both half-height and full-height brackets to fit various server chassis configurations, from rack-mounted servers to tower servers. The card serves as a replacement for HP 538696-B21 network interface cards in compatible HP and other server platforms.
How many network ports does this card provide?
This network interface card provides four RJ-45 ports, offering quad-port connectivity for servers requiring multiple network connections. All four ports support 10/100/1000Base-T network technology, allowing for Gigabit Ethernet speeds on each port simultaneously. This multi-port design is ideal for applications needing network traffic segregation, load balancing, or failover configurations.
What is the maximum data transfer speed supported?
The card supports Gigabit Ethernet speeds up to 1000 Mbps per port through its 10/100/1000Base-T network technology. The PCI Express 2.0 x4 host interface provides up to 2000 MB/s bandwidth to handle the combined traffic from all four ports. This ensures sufficient throughput for demanding server applications and network-intensive workloads.
What type of cables does this network card require?
This network interface card works with standard twisted pair Ethernet cables (Category 5e or higher recommended) and supports cable lengths up to 100 meters. It uses RJ-45 connectors, which are standard for Ethernet networks, making it compatible with existing cabling infrastructure without requiring specialized media or connectors.
Does this card include installation brackets?
Yes, the package includes both half-height and full-height brackets, providing flexibility for installation in different server chassis sizes. The half-height bracket is suitable for compact or low-profile server configurations, while the full-height bracket fits standard server chassis. This ensures compatibility with various server form factors without needing additional hardware.
What warranty coverage does this product have?
This Gigabit Ethernet card comes with a lifetime limited warranty, providing long-term protection against manufacturing defects. The warranty covers the card for its usable life, offering peace of mind for server deployments where network reliability is critical. This extended warranty period makes it a cost-effective solution for organizations planning long-term server infrastructure.