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StarTech.com ST1000SPEX43 4-Port PCIe Gigabit Network Adapter Card - Quad-Port PCI Express x4 NIC - 10/100/1000Base-T
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Product Features
Technical Overview
This network adapter provides comprehensive enterprise-grade networking features in a single PCIe card. The Realtek RTL8111G controller enables efficient packet processing with support for VLAN tagging (IEEE 802.1Q) and layer 2 priority encoding (IEEE 802.1P), making it suitable for managed network environments requiring traffic segmentation and quality of service controls.
The card's hardware offload capabilities include Microsoft NDIS5 checksum offload for IP, TCP, and UDP protocols, along with large send offload support to reduce CPU utilization during high-volume network operations. These features combine to deliver reliable 10/100/1000 Mbps connectivity across all four ports simultaneously.
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 quad-port adapter consolidates multiple network connections into a single PCIe slot, reducing hardware footprint while increasing port density. The yellow-colored PCB provides visual differentiation in multi-card installations, and the compact form factor ensures compatibility with standard chassis designs.
These strengths make the product easier to deploy and manage in real environments, especially where reliability, usability, and day-to-day operational continuity matter. Notable benefits include High-Density Connectivity, Enterprise Features.
High-Density Connectivity
Four independent Gigabit ports enable connection to multiple networks or aggregation of bandwidth for demanding applications.
- Ideal for server virtualization
- Supports network segmentation
- Enables link aggregation scenarios
Enterprise Features
Advanced networking capabilities including VLAN support, priority encoding, and hardware offload for optimized performance.
- IEEE 802.1Q VLAN tagging
- Layer 2 priority encoding
- Checksum and large send offload
Deployment / Use Cases
The ST1000SPEX43 serves as an ideal solution for expanding network connectivity in environments where PCIe slots are limited but port density requirements are high. Its four-port design makes it particularly valuable for servers running virtualization platforms, network appliances requiring multiple interface connections, or workstations that need dedicated connections to different network segments.
Common deployment scenarios include adding network interfaces to virtualization hosts for separating management, storage, and VM traffic; providing additional ports for network security appliances or monitoring systems; and expanding connectivity in high-performance workstations used for data analysis, media production, or scientific computing where network bandwidth directly impacts productivity.
Server Virtualization
Add dedicated network interfaces for hypervisor management, VM networking, and storage traffic separation in virtualized environments.
Network Appliances
Expand port count for firewalls, routers, or monitoring systems that require multiple network connections in compact form factors.
Physical Profile
The adapter measures 4.70 inches wide by 5.40 inches deep with a low-profile height of 0.70 inches, fitting standard PCIe card dimensions. The yellow PCB provides clear visual identification in multi-adapter installations, and the lightweight design at 3.40 ounces minimizes stress on the PCIe slot. The card's compact footprint ensures compatibility with most server and workstation chassis while maintaining adequate spacing for thermal management.
- Width
- 4.70" (119.38 mm)
- Depth
- 5.40" (137.16 mm)
- Height
- 0.70" (17.78 mm)
- Weight
- 3.40 oz (96.39 g)
Highlights
- Adds four independent Gigabit Ethernet ports via PCI Express x4 interface
- Realtek RTL8111G chipset ensures reliable 10/100/1000 Mbps performance
- Supports full-duplex flow control and auto-negotiation with next-page capacity
- IEEE 802.3, 802.3u, and 802.3ab compliant for standards-based interoperability
- Auto-MDIX enables automatic crossover detection and correction
- Up to 9K jumbo frame support optimizes large data transfers
- IEEE 802.1Q VLAN tagging and 802.1P layer 2 priority encoding
- Microsoft NDIS5 checksum offload (IP, TCP, UDP) and large send offload
- Yellow-colored PCB for easy visual identification in multi-card installations
- TAA compliant and meets EU RoHS environmental standards
Specifications
| Specifications | |
|---|---|
| Manufacturer | StarTech.com |
| Manufacturer Part Number | ST1000SPEX43 |
| Brand Name | StarTech.com |
| Product Name | 4-Port PCIe Gigabit Network Adapter Card |
| Packaged Quantity | 1 Each |
| Product Type | Gigabit Ethernet Card |
| Technical Information | |
| Chipset Manufacturer | Realtek |
| Chipset Model | RTL8111G |
| Interfaces/Ports | |
| Host Interface | PCI Express x4 |
| Total Number of Ports | 4 |
| Number of Network (RJ-45) Ports | 4 |
| Media & Performance | |
| Media Type Supported | Twisted Pair |
| Maximum Data Transfer Rate | 1.95 Gbit/s |
| Network & Communication | |
| Network Technology | 10/100/1000Base-T |
| Physical Characteristics | |
| Color Family | Yellow |
| Product Color | Yellow |
| Form Factor | Plug-in Card |
| Height | 0.70" (17.78 mm) |
| Width | 4.70" (119.38 mm) |
| Depth | 5.40" (137.16 mm) |
| Weight (Approximate) | 3.40 oz (96.39 g) |
| Miscellaneous | |
| Device Supported | Computer,Server,Workstation |
| Environmentally Friendly | Yes |
| Environmental Certification | EU RoHS |
| Environmental Compliance | Restriction of Hazardous Substances (RoHS) 2,Registration, Evaluation, Authorization and Restriction of Chemicals (REACH),Waste Electrical and Electronic Equipment Directive (WEEE) |
| Country of Origin | Taiwan |
| TAA Compliant | Yes |
User Manual
FAQ
What type of PCIe slot does this network adapter require?
The ST1000SPEX43 requires a PCI Express x4 slot for installation. While it physically fits into longer PCIe slots (x8 or x16), it needs at least an x4 interface to provide adequate bandwidth for all four Gigabit ports operating simultaneously at full capacity.
Can all four ports operate at Gigabit speeds simultaneously?
Yes, all four RJ-45 ports support simultaneous Gigabit Ethernet operation at 10/100/1000 Mbps. The PCI Express x4 host interface provides sufficient bandwidth to handle aggregate traffic across all ports, with a maximum data transfer rate of 1.95 Gbit/s supporting full-duplex operation on multiple connections.
Does this adapter support VLAN configuration?
Yes, the adapter supports IEEE 802.1Q VLAN tagging, allowing network administrators to segment traffic and assign VLAN IDs to different ports or traffic types. This feature is particularly useful in virtualized environments or when separating different types of network traffic on the same physical adapter.
What operating systems are compatible with this network card?
The adapter is designed for compatibility with standard operating systems that support Realtek network controllers. While specific driver availability varies by OS version, it typically works with Windows, Linux, and other systems that include or can install drivers for the RTL8111G chipset. Always check current driver support for your specific operating system version.
What are the environmental certifications for this product?
This network adapter is EU RoHS compliant and meets Restriction of Hazardous Substances (RoHS) 2 standards. It also complies with Registration, Evaluation, Authorization and Restriction of Chemicals (REACH) and Waste Electrical and Electronic Equipment Directive (WEEE) requirements. The product is TAA compliant and manufactured in Taiwan.
What is the advantage of the hardware offload features?
The hardware offload capabilities, including Microsoft NDIS5 checksum offload for IP, TCP, and UDP protocols along with large send offload, reduce CPU utilization by handling network processing tasks directly on the adapter. This improves overall system performance, particularly in high-traffic scenarios or when the host system is running resource-intensive applications alongside network operations.
| Qty | Price | Available |
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