Choosing the right network speed for your server depends on workload, storage protocol, and budget. Here is when to use each speed tier.
Speed Tier Guide
| Speed | Best For | Typical Use Case |
|---|---|---|
| 1GbE | Management, basic workloads | iDRAC/iLO, small office servers |
| 10GbE | VM traffic, iSCSI storage | VMware, Hyper-V, NAS |
| 25GbE | High-throughput, NVMe-oF | HCI, cloud, AI training |
| 100GbE | Spine/leaf, storage fabric | Large-scale cloud, HPC |
Connector Types
- RJ-45 (Base-T) — Uses standard Cat6/Cat6a cables. Easy. Higher latency.
- SFP+/SFP28 — Uses fiber or DAC cables. Lower latency. Requires compatible switch.
Browse: 10G RJ-45 NIC cross-reference | 10G SFP+ NIC cross-reference | All networking cross-references