NDC network cards

If you're building a server and want to achieve maximum throughput without cluttering every PCIe slot, Network Daughter Cards (NDCs) are the solution. These modules are installed directly into a dedicated port on the motherboard – primarily in Dell PowerEdge, HPE, or Lenovo servers. They function as full-fledged NICs but offer significant advantages: they don't take up space, consume less power, and integrate better with out-of-band systems (e.g., iDRAC or ILO). At Hardware Direct, you'll find 1/10/25 GbE models, as well as specialized solutions supporting Fibre Channel, FCoE, NVMe-oF, and SR-IOV.

Looking for something versatile for your R640 or R740 server? The Dell Broadcom 57412 (NWMNX) is an NDC that combines two 10GbE SFP+ ports with two 1GbE RJ45 ports, and it also supports Fibre Channel protocols. This means it can simultaneously operate in both storage and LAN environments. It's an excellent choice for projects based on Azure Stack, vSphere, or Windows Server with Storage Spaces Direct. Its rack-friendly design makes it ideal for installation in 1U and 2U rack cabinets, and its reliability is confirmed by the fact that it remains one of the most commonly used solutions in enterprise data centers today.

If your environment involves more than just a few VMs and demands serious throughput, it's time for some heavier firepower. The Mellanox ConnectX-4 (XJ8VT) offers two SFP28 ports (25 GbE), supports SR-IOV, low latency, and RDMA – making it perfect for compute clusters, Kubernetes, ElasticSearch, or AI environments. For even greater throughput, the QL41164 (XVVY1) provides four 10GbE SFP+ ports – ideal for aggregation, spine-leaf networks, and connecting virtualizers to disk arrays. Both models are compatible with Dell PowerEdge R840, R940xa, and other 24-disk servers.

For storage environments where every lost packet means potential errors in the array, HPE offers a robust solution: the FlexFabric 554FLB with 2×10GbE BASE-KR and FCoE support. This allows a single interface to handle both network and storage traffic simultaneously. Taking it a step further, the Emulex LPE1105 is a Fibre Channel card with two 4Gb FC ports – perfect for backups, SAN environments, and real-time replication database systems. Both designs are fully integrated with HPE servers and work seamlessly with software like Veeam, Veritas, and NetBackup.

All NDC cards at Hardware Direct are available immediately – tested, ready for installation, and covered by a warranty. Their biggest advantage? They don't block PCIe slots, allowing you to reserve those for RAID cards, GPUs, or storage controllers. Combined with their low price (often 60–70% cheaper than new), compatibility with the most popular server platforms, and readiness for use with VMware, Hyper-V, or Proxmox, they simply make sense. If you're unsure which models will fit your R730, DL380, or R940 – just ask. We'll give you concrete advice.