Server adapter is generally used for the connection between the server and switches and other network equipment.

Definition of server adapter

A server network adapter is a network card that handles the communication and traffic between a computer network and its server. Usually, the server network adapter functions as a single IP address for all of the computers that are routed through the card. It facilitates the flow of data from each networking device.

Function of server adapter

The main function of a server network adapter is to manage and handle network traffic. It can help merge and consolidate network communications through a single device, increasing network speed and performance. Server adapters ensure communication compatibility and help identify authorized network devices.

So far, there is a question may arise: compared to the ordinary PC adapter, what are the features of server adapter? Please read the next part and you’ll get a better understanding about it.

Features of server adapter

Large number of network cards: accessing to LAN or the Internet, ordinary PC just used one network card is enough under normal circumstances, but for meeting the needs of the server in the network, the server generally requires two or more network cards.

Fast data transmission rate: now, we are commonly used 4 types of Ethernet card: 10Mbps, 100Mbps, 10Mbps/100Mbps self-adoption, 1000Mbps Ethernet card. 10Mbps network card has been gradually out of the stage of history, and 100Mbps network card and 10 / 100bps adaptive network card is now commonly used in ordinary PC. For large data traffic network, the server should use Gigabit Ethernet network card, so that can effectively increase network bandwidth, greatly improving the overall network data transfer rate, and providing high-speed network connectivity

Low CPU occupancy rate: due to a server may need to support hundreds of PC, and keep running, Server CPU needs to constantly work, dealing with large amounts of data, so it is very important for server adapter has low CPU occupancy rate. Server adapter has a special network control chip, it can take over many tasks from CPU, so that CPU focus to run network operations and applications, the server's service performance will not be affected.

Excellent safety performance: server not only needs to have a powerful service performance, also have excellent security measures. In practice, many factors affect the normal operation of the server, server adapter is one of the most important part. To this end, many network hardware vendors have introduced their own fault-tolerant server adapter, thus avoids the network paralysis caused by malfunction, can greatly improve the safety and reliability of the network.

Summary

In order to achieve a breakthrough in the development of the network card, many network hardware manufacturers have launched their own server adapter. For example, Intel has introduced three types of fault-tolerant server adapter, they are used Adapter Fault Tolerance (AFT), Adapter Load Balancing (ALB), Fast Ether Channel (FEC). You can learn more about it if you have any interests.