Converged Ethernet Adapter X520-DA2 support for active direct attached cables

[MMaie2]

Hello,

We want to update our network infrastructure to 10GB/s. Therefor we have to buy new networkcards for our existing servers.

The distance between server and networkswitch is more than 7meter. So we want to use 10m active direct attached cables.

On the support site of the X520 (https://www.intel.com/content/www/us/en/support/articles/000005528/network-and-i-o/ethernet-products.html?_ga=2.117959562.2040949448.1525326533-198391799.1510756790 SFP+ Modules, SFP Modules, and Cables Compatible with Intel® Ethernet... ) we saw that active cables are supported:

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.

But when I looked closer to the readme of the driver it say´s active cables are not supportetd. (https://downloadmirror.intel.com/14687/eng/readme.txt https://downloadmirror.intel.com/14687/eng/readme.txt )

Active direct attach cables are not supported.

What is the truth now? Does any one has experience with X520 and active direct attached cables?

Regards,

manuel

[idata · Accepted solution]

Hi Manuel1.

Thank you for posting in Wired Communities. If you are referring to this statement"82598-based adapters support all passive direct attach cables that comply withSFF-8431 v4.1 and SFF-8472 v10.4 specifications. Active direct attach cablesare not supported." in the README file. This is referring to the network adapter that used 82598 ethernet controller not X520 series network adapter. X520 series network adapter used 82599 ethernet controller,here is the product brief for your reference: https://www.intel.com/content/www/us/en/ethernet-products/converged-network-adapters/ethernet-x520-server-adapters-brief.html You can just refer to this website about the cable for X520 series network adapter https://www.intel.com/content/www/us/en/support/articles/000005528/network-and-i-o/ethernet-products.html In case you are interested to purchase, you may try contacting our Intel authorized resellers which can be located at http://locate.intel.com, Hope the above information help. Thank you. Regards,Sharon T

[idata]

Hi Manuel1,

Please feel free to clarify if the statement posted is what you are inquiring so that we can better verify for you. Looking forward to your replyThanks,Sharon T

[MMaie2]

Hello Sharon,

thanks for your answer, that was the information I was looking for.

Regards,

manuel

[idata]

Hi Manuel1.,

Thank you for the confirmation and glad to be of help. Feel free to contact us if you have other inquiries. Regards,Sharon T