Based on the new Intel® 82580 Gigabit Ethernet Controller, the Intel Ethernet Dual Port and Quad Port Server Adapters for IBM® System x® are Intel's fourth generation of PCI Express Gigabit Ethernet (PCIe GbE) adapters. These adapters showcase the industry's first fully integrated, multi-port PCIe 2.0 GbE controllers, providing a smaller footprint and lower power dissipation.

In addition, these adapters offer advanced features, including support for multi-core processors and server virtualization, as well as a scalable PCI Express 2.0 interface. Intel's first eco-friendly, halogen-free design combines low power use and low cost for one of the best price to performance ratios in a multi-port solution that is available today. Figure 1 shows the Intel Ethernet Quad Port Server Adapter.