The module and cable information on this page applies to the Intel® Ethernet Converged Network Adapter X520 Series with SFP+ connectivity.

What are the SFP+ optical module requirements for the Intel® Ethernet Converged Network Adapter X520 Series?

• Intel® Ethernet SFP+ SR Optics and Intel® Ethernet SFP+ LR Optics
• Other SFP+ (10 Gbps) modules are not allowed and cannot be used with these adapters.
• Some 1000BASE-T and 1000BASE-SX modules will work with Intel® Ethernet Converged Network Adapter X520 series.

Can I add or change SFP+ modules, direct attach cables, and SFP modules?
Yes. You can remove the optical modules that come installed on the adapter and replace the module with one of the other listed Intel Ethernet SFP+ Optics, a SFP+ Direct Attach Copper Cable, or a 1000BASE-T SFP module.

You may mix any combination of the listed optical modules, direct attach copper cables, or 1000BASE-T SFP modules on dual port adapters.

The following SFP+ modules are the only 10 Gbps optical modules that will work with the Intel® Ethernet Converged Network Adapter X520 Series.

Which 1000BASE-T and 1000BASE-SX SFP modules can I use with the Intel® Ethernet Server Adapter X520 Series?
You may use any 1000BASE-T or 1000BASE-SX module¹ with the Intel® Ethernet Server Adapter X520 Series. The following modules received some testing by Intel and known to be compatible with the Intel Ethernet Server Adapter X520 Series.

Can I mix Direct Attach cables and optical modules on a dual port adapter?
Yes. You can install a direct attach cable in one port and an optical module in the other port. You can plug the cable and optical module into either port.

Can I mix SR and LR optical modules on a dual port adapter from the Intel Ethernet Converged Network Adapter X520 Series?
You can install an SR optical module and an LR optical module on the same dual port adapter. You can plug either module into either port.

Which adapters of the Intel® Ethernet Converged Network Adapter X520 Series support Intel® Ethernet SFP+ Optics and which adapters support SFP+ direct attach cables?
You can attach Intel Ethernet SFP+ Optics or direct attach cables to any of the adapters in the Intel Ethernet Converged Network Adapter X520 Series.

Can I purchase Intel Ethernet SFP+ Optics separately?
Yes. Intel Ethernet SFP+ SR Optics and Intel Ethernet SFP+ LR Optics can be purchased separately.

What cables and lengths can I use with the Intel Ethernet SFP+ Optics?
Cable length depends on the speed, cable specifications, and which optical module is used. Cable Lengths for Intel Ethernet SFP+ Optics provides the operating range in meters for optical cables used with Intel Ethernet SFP+ Optics.

What are the SFP+ direct attach cable requirements for the Intel® Ethernet Converged Network Adapter X520 Series?

• Any SFP+ passive or active limiting direct attach copper cable that comply with the SFF-8431 v4.1 and SFF-8472 v10.4 specifications
• SFF-8472 Identifier must have value 03h (SFP or SFP Plus). This value can be verified by the cable manufacturer.
• Maximum cable length for passive cables is 7 meters
• Support for active cables requires Intel Network Connections software version 15.3 or later

What is a direct attach twinaxial cable?
A direct attach twinaxial cable is a 2-pair shielded copper cabling terminated with SFP+ electrical modules.

Are active and passive direct attach cables both supported on the Intel® Ethernet Converged Network Adapter X520 Series?

• Both passive and active cables are supported.
• Active cables require Intel® Network Connections software version 15.3 or later.

Can I buy direct attach cables from Intel?
Yes. Intel sells 1 m (3.3 ft), 3 m (9.8 ft.), and 5 m (16.4 ft.) SFP+ 10 GbE direct attach passive copper cables that are fully compatible with the Intel® Ethernet Server Adapter X520 Series.

Can I use a direct attach cable to connect to a gigabit switch that accepts SFP pluggable modules?
No. The Intel® Ethernet Converged Network Adapter X520 Series only supports 10 Gbps speed when using direct attach cables.

Which direct attach cables are compatible with the Intel® Ethernet Converged Network Adapter X520 Series?
The Intel Ethernet Server Adapter X520 Series and Intel® 82599 10 Gigabit Ethernet Controller-based connections support any SFP+ passive or active limiting direct attach copper cable that complies with the SFF-8431 v4.1 and SFF-8472 v10.4 specifications.

Intel participates in testing with other members of the Ethernet Alliance to ensure interoperability between cables and host ports that meet the above specifications.

¹THE 1000BASE-T AND 1000-BASE-SX SFP MODULES REFERRED TO ABOVE ARE ONLY FOR HIGHLIGHTING THE SPECIFICATIONS AND COMPATIBILITY WITH Intel® Ethernet Server Adapter X520 Series AND ARE NOT RECOMMENDATIONS OR ENDORSEMENT OR SPONSORSHIP OF ANY THIRD PARTY'S PRODUCT BY INTEL. INTEL IS NOT ENDORSING OR PROMOTING PRODUCTS MADE BY ANY THIRD PARTY AND THE THIRD PARTY REFERENCE IS PROVIDED ONLY TO SHARE THE TESTING RESULTS AT INTEL WHILE USING MODULES WITH ABOVE SPECIFICATIONS. THERE MAY BE OTHER MANUFACTURERS OR SUPPLIERS, PRODUCING OR SUPPLYING MODULES WITH SIMILAR OR MATCHING DESCRIPTIONS. CUSTOMERS ARE ADVISED TO USE THEIR OWN DISCRETION AND DILIGENCE TO PURCHASE MODULES WITH SUGGESTED SPECIFICATIONS FROM ANY THIRD PARTY OF THEIR CHOICE. CUSTOMERS ARE SOLELY RESPONSIBLE FOR ASSESSING THE SUITABILITY OF THE PRODUCT AND/OR DEVICES AND FOR THE SELECTION OF THE VENDOR FOR PURCHASING ANY PRODUCT. INTEL ASSUMES NO LIABILITY WHATSOEVER WITH RESPECT TO SUCH PURCHASE OF PRODUCTS OR SELECTION OF VENDOR BY CUSTOMERS.

Related Topics:
Cable lengths for Intel® Ethernet SFP+ Optics
Which cables can I use with the Intel® 10 Gigabit AF DA Dual Port Server Adapter?

This applies to:

Intel® Ethernet Converged Network Adapter X520 Series Intel® Ethernet Server Adapter X520 Series Intel® Ethernet Server Adapter X520-DA2 Intel® Ethernet Server Adapter X520-LR1 Intel® Ethernet Server Adapter X520-SR1 Intel® Ethernet Server Adapter X520-SR2