QNAP launches network expansion card with 2 x 100 GbE

QNAP has announced the QXG-100G2SF-BCM network expansion card. This actively cooled PCIe card offers particularly fast network connections via two QSFP28 slots with a data transfer rate of up to 2 x 100 Gbps. It uses a Broadcom 57508 controller.

In order to reduce system load, the card supports RDMA (Remote Direct Memory Access), which is intended to offload the CPU during data transfers and reduce latency. As usual, suitable SFP modules must be purchased and installed separately, depending on individual requirements.

QNAP also sells a matching 4.9-ft Direct Attached Cable (DAC) with the CAB-DAC15M-Q28, in which case transceivers are not needed. The card itself requires a PCIe 4.0 x16 slot, but it can also be used with PCIe 3.0 at reduced speeds.

The new QNAP network card ships with a standard slot and low-profile brackets, which is often required for NAS systems or rack servers. QNAP further mentions that special mounting brackets for selected QNAP NAS are included. In addition to NAS systems (such as QTS/QuTS hero), this card is also compatible with Windows 11. According to QNAP, the QXG-100G2SF-BCM is available now for an MSRP of $999 in the US. However, it is currently listed by very few retailers in some regions, but that situation should improve in the coming weeks.