Chapter 1
Features and Capabilities of the SGI 10-Gbit
Ethernet Network Adapter
The 10-Gbit Ethernet technology is an extension of Gigabit Ethernet (1000-Base-T)
technology that allows over-the-wire speeds up to 10 Gbits per second (Gbps), which
is theoretically ten times the rate of existing technology. Given the limitations of the
bus and the CPUs, realistic performance with the SGI 10-Gbit Ethernet network
adapter will not exceed 4.5–6 Gbps.
The 10-Gbit Ethernet technology is targeted at backbone networks and interserver
connectivity. It provides an upgrade path for high-end workstations that require more
bandwidth than Gigabit Ethernet can provide.
The adapter is supported in the following systems:
• Silicon Graphics Prism
• SGI Altix 3000
• SGI Altix 350
• SGI Origin 350
• Silicon Graphics Onyx 4
• Silicon Graphics Onyx 350
• SGI Origin 3000 with IX brick or PX brick
• Silicon Graphics Onyx 3000 with IX brick or PX brick
• Silicon Graphics Tezro
This chapter includes the following sections:
• "Features" on page 2
• "Cabling" on page 2
• "Configuration Limits" on page 3
• "Tools" on page 3
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