{"product_id":"10gb-sfp-pcie-network-card-st7218-dual-port-intel-x710","title":"10Gb SFP+ PCIe Network Card ST7218 - Dual Port Intel X710","description":"\u003cp\u003eIn this review the ST7218 is evaluated for users who need reliable 10Gb connectivity without fuss. The card is a dual-port 10Gb SFP+ adapter built around the \u003cstrong\u003eIntel X710 controller\u003c\/strong\u003e, and the bottom line is that it delivers wired 10GbE performance and broad OS compatibility at a sensible price. For small servers, virtualization hosts and storage clients that accept SFP+ optics or DACs, it offers stable throughput, SR-IOV and MACsec support, and a straightforward PCIe Gen3 x8 interface.\u003c\/p\u003e\n\u003ch2\u003eKey Features\u003c\/h2\u003e\n\u003cul\u003e\n\u003cli\u003e\n\u003cstrong\u003eDual 10Gb ports:\u003c\/strong\u003e Two SFP+ ports allow direct 10GbE or 1GbE connections and automatic negotiation for mixed-speed environments.\u003c\/li\u003e\n\u003cli\u003e\n\u003cstrong\u003eIntel X710 controller:\u003c\/strong\u003e The well-supported Intel chipset provides proven driver support and compatibility with Linux, Windows and common hypervisors.\u003c\/li\u003e\n\u003cli\u003e\n\u003cstrong\u003ePCIe Gen3 x8 interface:\u003c\/strong\u003e The PCIE 3.0 x8 lane spacing supplies sufficient host bandwidth for full 10Gb line-rate traffic on both ports.\u003c\/li\u003e\n\u003cli\u003e\n\u003cstrong\u003eVirtualization features:\u003c\/strong\u003e SR-IOV and VMDq support help reduce CPU overhead and improve VM network performance on compatible hosts.\u003c\/li\u003e\n\u003cli\u003e\n\u003cstrong\u003eSecurity and timing:\u003c\/strong\u003e Includes MACsec IEEE 802.1AE and IEEE 1588 PTP support for link security and precise time synchronization in networked systems.\u003c\/li\u003e\n\u003cli\u003e\n\u003cstrong\u003eLow- and full-height brackets:\u003c\/strong\u003e Ships with a 12cm regular-profile bracket and an 8cm low-profile bracket for flexible installation.\u003c\/li\u003e\n\u003c\/ul\u003e\n\u003ch2\u003eWho It's For\u003c\/h2\u003e\n\u003cp\u003eThe ST7218 is aimed at home labbers, small business servers and NAS builders who need dependable 10GbE connectivity and prefer SFP+ optics or DAC cabling. It is especially relevant for users running Proxmox, VMware ESXi or Linux distributions where Intel drivers are well maintained, providing a straightforward upgrade path from 1GbE to 10GbE.\u003c\/p\u003e\n\u003cp\u003eIt is less suitable for Mac OS desktop users because Mac is not supported, and buyers who require included SFP+ modules or DAC cables should look for a bundled option since the card does not include transceivers or cables.\u003c\/p\u003e\n\u003ch2\u003ePros \u0026amp; Cons\u003c\/h2\u003e\n\u003cp\u003e\u003cstrong\u003ePros\u003c\/strong\u003e\u003c\/p\u003e\n\u003cul\u003e\n\u003cli\u003eSolid hardware and Intel X710 firmware deliver stable 10Gb performance and strong driver availability.\u003c\/li\u003e\n\u003cli\u003eVirtualization features like SR-IOV and VMDq help improve VM networking efficiency on supported hypervisors.\u003c\/li\u003e\n\u003cli\u003eIncludes both full-height and low-profile brackets for flexible installation in desktops and small servers.\u003c\/li\u003e\n\u003cli\u003eWorks well with Proxmox and common Linux distributions, offering good value for money.\u003c\/li\u003e\n\u003c\/ul\u003e\n\u003cp\u003e\u003cstrong\u003eCons\u003c\/strong\u003e\u003c\/p\u003e\n\u003cul\u003e\n\u003cli\u003eDoes not include SFP+ modules, DAC or AOC cables, so additional purchases are required to connect devices.\u003c\/li\u003e\n\u003cli\u003eNot supported on Mac OS, limiting use in some desktop environments.\u003c\/li\u003e\n\u003c\/ul\u003e\n\u003ch2\u003eSpecifications\u003c\/h2\u003e\n\u003ctable\u003e\n\u003ctr\u003e\n\u003ctd\u003eModel\u003c\/td\u003e\n\u003ctd\u003eST7218\u003c\/td\u003e\n\u003c\/tr\u003e\n\u003ctr\u003e\n\u003ctd\u003eController\u003c\/td\u003e\n\u003ctd\u003eIntel Ethernet Controller X710\u003c\/td\u003e\n\u003c\/tr\u003e\n\u003ctr\u003e\n\u003ctd\u003eInterface\u003c\/td\u003e\n\u003ctd\u003ePCIe Gen3 x8 (PCIE 3.0 x8)\u003c\/td\u003e\n\u003c\/tr\u003e\n\u003ctr\u003e\n\u003ctd\u003ePorts\u003c\/td\u003e\n\u003ctd\u003e2 x 10Gb SFP+ (auto-negotiate 10Gb\/1Gb)\u003c\/td\u003e\n\u003c\/tr\u003e\n\u003ctr\u003e\n\u003ctd\u003eSupported OS\u003c\/td\u003e\n\u003ctd\u003eWindows 11\/10\/Server\/Linux\/ESX\/VMware ESXi (no Mac OS)\u003c\/td\u003e\n\u003c\/tr\u003e\n\u003ctr\u003e\n\u003ctd\u003eFeatures\u003c\/td\u003e\n\u003ctd\u003eSR-IOV, VMDq, MACsec, IEEE 1588 PTP, Wake on LAN\u003c\/td\u003e\n\u003c\/tr\u003e\n\u003ctr\u003e\n\u003ctd\u003eIncluded brackets\u003c\/td\u003e\n\u003ctd\u003e12cm regular-profile and 8cm low-profile\u003c\/td\u003e\n\u003c\/tr\u003e\n\u003c\/table\u003e\n\u003ch2\u003eOur Verdict\u003c\/h2\u003e\n\u003cp\u003eThe ST7218 is a practical, cost-effective 2-port 10Gb SFP+ card for lab and small business servers where Intel driver support and virtualization features matter. It excels when paired with user-supplied SFP+ modules or DACs and on Linux or ESXi hosts; buyers who need transceivers included or Mac support should consider alternatives.\u003c\/p\u003e\n\u003ch2\u003eFrequently Asked Questions\u003c\/h2\u003e\n\u003cp\u003e\u003cstrong\u003eDoes this card include SFP+ modules or cables?\u003c\/strong\u003e\u003cbr\u003eThe card does not include SFP+ modules, DAC or AOC cables; these must be purchased separately.\u003c\/p\u003e\n\u003cp\u003e\u003cstrong\u003eWill it work with Proxmox or ESXi?\u003c\/strong\u003e\u003cbr\u003eYes, customers report good compatibility with Proxmox and the card supports VMware ESXi according to the manufacturer.\u003c\/p\u003e\n\u003cp\u003e\u003cstrong\u003eIs Mac OS supported?\u003c\/strong\u003e\u003cbr\u003eNo, the product is not supported on Mac OS; Windows, Linux and various Windows Server versions are supported.\u003c\/p\u003e","brand":"GLOTRENDS","offers":[{"title":"Default Title","offer_id":48194981920987,"sku":"B0DTKQFGTP","price":119.99,"currency_code":"USD","in_stock":true}],"thumbnail_url":"\/\/cdn.shopify.com\/s\/files\/1\/0724\/1043\/1707\/files\/61GJjSAZWXL._AC_SL1500.jpg?v=1770260763","url":"https:\/\/gearmusthave.com\/products\/10gb-sfp-pcie-network-card-st7218-dual-port-intel-x710","provider":"GearMustHave","version":"1.0","type":"link"}