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Using onboard NIA's (net intrfce adapter) vs PCI-E NIC's - is 1 better than another?

tuprox

Member
Sorry for the odd title, but I was limited in characters.

Ok I'm curious to know if my on-board network interface adapter/port are as good as NI cards (PC, PCI-Express)? When talking about this don't take manufacturers into the picture, just the physical aspects or whatever it is that makes it interface with the system.

Also, I'm wondering if I should use an Intel Pro dual port gigabit card or the onboard Broadcom adapters. I'm using a gigabit switch (full duplex).
 
Assuming same speeds, minimally in home use. When pushing the limit of say a 1gbps connection you might get 25-80mbps more from a PCI card from Intel / Broadcom.
 
Also, I'm wondering if I should use an Intel Pro dual port gigabit card or the onboard Broadcom adapters. I'm using a gigabit switch (full duplex).


The only reason I bought one of those cards is to mess around with Link Aggregation.

Check out the pictures in this post: Link

Notice how the HP NC360T is the same card as the Intel? The HP cost me less than $30 on ebay.

Just a heads up 😉 Saving money is always a good thing.
 
In most cases there is No difference.

So check what you get from your Onboard.

PCIe - http://www.newegg.com/Product/Produc...82E16833106033

PCI - http://www.newegg.com/Product/Produc...82E16833106121

---------
P.S. the duals are special items that need additional peripherals and might be an expensive ordeal for regular use.


😎


Wow both of those are $30! Might as well get the HP card.

Btw you won't be able to use both ports with a cheap $20 switch.
I'm running a HP ProCurve 1800-24G which sells for $150ish used. The 8 port version sells for $50.
 
Thanks for all the replies! This is the card that I was talking about:
http://www.intel.com/content/www/us/en/network-adapters/gigabit-network-adapters/pro-1000-pt-dp.html

I found these for sale from $50-100 (used) and $150-200 new so I figured that they must be better than an onboard NIC... I guess that maybe they aren't.

I'm asking because these came in a lot of server that I purcahsed (dell 1950's) and was wondering why they had these in addition to the two onboard NIC's. I'd like to use one of these servers as a router/proxy running Linux and squid and was wondering which NIC's I should go with, the on board or one of these Intel cards..

Thanks for any help guys!

On a second note, I might use the onboard for the WAN/internet connection since I only have a 12Mbps connection and I'm sure the onboard will keep up with that. I'll use the 2 Intel's for two seperate internal networks or a DMZ..
 
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