IBM 49Y4230 question

[azazel1024]

I am looking at updating the NICs in my machines one of these months soon. I currently am running a pair of Intel Gigabit CT NICs in my desktop and in my server. A little outdated and Intel has graciously decided to end support with Windows 8 (initial 8.1 driver released, but nothing more will be forthcoming according to Intel).

So I was looking at Intel dual port NICs and it looks like my options are the i340-t2 and i350-t2. Further more, it looks like there are a boat load of IBM 49Y4230 cards based on the i340-t2. Any idea if these will work in non-IBM systems? Or does IBM lock it to their server boards?

I'd certainly prefer to get in on one for around $80 instead of the ~$130-150 new price of an i350-t2.

Alternately, anyone know of any GOOD dual port NICs that are non-Intel? Anything that'll support standard jumbo frames, RSS, offloads, etc?

 

[thiggins]

Maybe give this one a whirl.
http://www.rakuten.com/prod/ibm-bro...H&adid=18163&gclid=CJiE-pC7470CFa47OgodUV0AVQ

I'm using single port Nextremes in the next version of the Wireless testbed.

 

[azazel1024]

I assume no issues with system locking? I haven't found anything that suggests that there are...but at the same time, I know too many guys who do that kind of crap.

That is interesting though as I haven't seen much in the way of broadcom wired NICs lately and very interesting in that IBM has a PCI-e single lane, dual port option. I'd like whatever goes in my server to be flexible in case a future board ends up "light".

Same with my desktop, though a little less worried there as there are a fair number of boards with 4x PCIe 2.0 slots in addition to the 16x PCIe 3.0 and some number of 1x slots.

 

[azazel1024]

Oh, a follow up, any idea on these? http://www.ebay.com/itm/OEM-INTEL-i...US_Internal_Network_Cards&hash=item23370fedb8

They use Intel i350am2 PHYs apparently, but chinese OEM brand. The price is most certainly right, though I'd still prefer 1x, but I have the ability to drop it in to my server/desktop just fine. I am just concerned about quality and drivers. I assume it would use the regular Intel driver package...but no idea on other board components (or if it is a clone chip, which I am guessing probably not).