Which Network adaptor is better for pfsense

Davec

Recently I purchase one of the Supermicro 1U Atom box and planning to get a network adaptaor (4 port). The atom mother board able to install one network adaptor either PCIe x4 or PCIe x 8

These are the 2 network card i am now looking to purchase:

Intel PRO/1000 PT Quad Port Low Profile Server Adapter (Using Intel Intel 82571GB Gigabit Ethernet Controller)
http://www.intel.com/Products/Server/Adapters/PRO1000PT-QuadPort-Low-Profile/PRO1000PT-QuadPort-Low-Profile-overview.htm

SuperMicro AOC-UG-I4 (Using Intel Intel 82571EB Gigabit Ethernet Controller)
http://www.supermicro.nl/products/accessories/addon/AOC-UG-i4.cfm

The intel Pro/1000 is running on PCIe x4 and the Supermicro is PCIe x 8, it is hard to determine which is better on performance. Anyone please give suggestion will be appreciated. :D

bendsley

The PCI x8 lane can certainly handle more information because the bus from the adapter to the motherboard is wider. Both adapters have the exact same chipset, and to use that chipset, SuperMicro would have to adhere to the same manufacturing techniques as Intel when developing that network card. Intel wouldn't want anyone to dirty their name.

I would just go with the SuperMicro card. I've really never had any issued with anything that SuperMicro puts out.

Davec

Bendsley, Thankyou for your input. Coz i noticed the 2 adaptor has slightly different Intel Gigabit Ethernet Controller.

The intel web site has Intel 82571EB Gigabit Ethernet Controller information but no information Intel 82571GB Gigabit Ethernet Controller

For me, since Intel PRO/1000 PT Quad Port Low Profile Server Adapter use the Intel 82571GB Gigabit Ethernet Controller so it is hard to compare.

I agree with you that PCIe x 8 should able to handle more information.

Thankyou.

Davec

bendsley

The devices can also have a “82571GB” or “82572GI” marking (instead of “82571EB” or “82572EI”); the
82571GB and 82572GI devices are used only on Intel network interface adapters. The 82571GB is
functionally equivalent to the 82571EB and the 82572GI is functionally equivalent to the 82572EI.

This is straight from Intel's website. If you desire, you can read the PDF documentation for the specs on the cards.
download.intel.com/design/network/specupdt/82571EB_72EI.pdf

Davc

Bendsley, many thanks for your details on the Gigabit Ethernet Controller.. :D