QNAP QXG-10G2T-X710 Dual-Port 10GbE Network Card: specs and use

The QNAP QXG-10G2T-X710 is a PCIe network expansion card with two 10GbE ports, built around Intel's Ethernet Controller X710. It adds fast wired networking to a PC, server or QNAP NAS that lacks it. QNAP aims it at file sharing, heavy data transfers and virtualisation setups.

Two ports, five speeds

Each of the two RJ45 ports supports 10G, 5G, 2.5G, 1G and 100M. That range matters because many networks are mixed. A card that can fall back to 2.5G or 1G works with existing switches and cables, then runs faster when the other equipment supports it. For full 10G speed, both ends need to support it and the cabling must be good enough; the cable category should be checked, since 10GBASE-T generally calls for Cat6A or better over longer runs.

PCIe Gen 3 x4

The card uses a PCIe Gen 3 x4 connection, and QNAP says it is compatible with PCIe Gen 2. It works in x4, x1 and larger slots, but QNAP recommends slots up to x4. Bandwidth matters here because two 10GbE ports can move a lot of data. A narrow or older slot may limit the speed the card can reach, so the slot's lane count and generation are worth checking in the motherboard manual.

Port trunking

Port trunking combines both ports so they act together, which QNAP says can reach up to 20 Gbps for file sharing and intensive transfers. In general, trunking spreads multiple connections across the links and requires support from the switch and settings on both sides. A single transfer between two devices may not use the combined speed.

SR-IOV and iSCSI

QNAP states that the card supports SR-IOV and iSCSI. SR-IOV lets one physical network device present itself as several virtual functions, so virtual machines can share the card with less software overhead. iSCSI carries storage commands over the network, allowing a NAS to supply block-level storage to other machines. QNAP describes the combination as suited to I/O-intensive, latency-sensitive virtualisation and data-centre use. Most home users will not need either.

Operating systems and brackets

The card supports QNAP's QTS and QuTS hero, Windows and Linux. It ships with a low-profile bracket pre-installed, plus a full-height bracket and a specialised bracket for selected QNAP NAS models. That helps fit it into slim cases and small servers, so confirm the bracket for your device in QNAP's compatibility information.

Who it suits

It suits NAS owners adding 10GbE to a QNAP model with a free PCIe slot, small-office servers, home labs and workstations that move large files, such as video editors working from shared storage. If your switch, router and other devices are all 1GbE, the card won't speed anything up until the rest of the network is upgraded.

What to check before you buy

• Slot: confirm a free PCIe slot of at least x4 length, and its generation.
• NAS compatibility: check QNAP's list for your NAS model and bracket.
• Network gear: make sure the switch and cabling support the speeds you want.
• Drivers: confirm support for your operating system version.
• Cooling and space: 10GBASE-T cards can run warm, so allow airflow around them.

The short version

• A dual-port 10GbE PCIe Gen 3 x4 card with Intel's X710 controller.
• Ports run at 10G, 5G, 2.5G, 1G and 100M.
• Port trunking up to 20 Gbps, plus SR-IOV and iSCSI support.
• Works with QTS, QuTS hero, Windows and Linux; includes low-profile and full-height brackets.

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