HPE 10Gb 2-Port BASE-T 57810S Ethernet Adapter

The HPE 656596-B21 is a 10-gigabit Ethernet adapter that installs in a PCIe Gen2 x8 slot and equips a server with two independent BASE-T ports. Each port can run at either 10Gb or 1Gb, so the card lets you move to higher bandwidth while remaining compatible with existing CAT 6A cabling and network switches. By supporting copper connections up to 100 meters, it removes the need for fiber in many rack and edge installations.

Inside the server, the adapter offloads key network tasks such as TCP segmentation and checksum calculations. These stateless offloads free CPU cycles, which can then handle application workloads or support a higher density of virtual machines. Administrators who manage VMware or Microsoft virtualization stacks will appreciate the built-in support for VMware NetQueue and Microsoft VMQ, features that distribute network processing across multiple CPU cores and keep latency low under heavy I/O.

The 57810S controller also brings a built-in TCP Offload Engine and uses MSI and MSI-X to balance interrupts across multi-core processors. Together, these capabilities help sustain line-rate throughput while keeping server utilization in check, an advantage for database servers, high-volume web front ends, and backup targets that must move large amounts of data within tight windows.

Because the card ships in a standup form factor and follows HPE design guidelines, it is a straightforward drop-in upgrade for many HPE ProLiant systems. Data center teams looking to consolidate traffic or migrate to 10Gb networks can deploy this adapter to replace multiple 1Gb links, simplify cabling, and open headroom for future growth.

• Two independent BASE-T ports that each support 10Gb or 1Gb operation
• PCIe Gen2 x8 interface for ample bandwidth to the host system
• Works over standard CAT 6A cables at distances up to 100 meters
• Stateless offloads that reduce CPU overhead and improve throughput
• Virtualization enhancements including VMware NetQueue and Microsoft VMQ
• TCP Offload Engine for efficient large-scale data transfers
• Standup form factor designed for easy integration into HPE ProLiant servers