HPE ProLiant DL380 G5 Networking Adapters
Genuine HPE Ethernet server adapters for the HPE ProLiant DL380 G5, new and refurbished. The server has two Gigabit ports on board from a pair of embedded NC373i Multifunction adapters — two, not the four that later generations of this chassis carry — so running out of ports is a far more common reason to buy a card here than running out of bandwidth.
DL380 G5 Networking Specifications
- Embedded networking: two HPE NC373i Multifunction Gigabit Network Adapters with a TCP/IP Offload Engine, presenting two RJ-45 ports
- Accelerated iSCSI: supported on the embedded adapters through an optional Licensing Kit rather than enabled out of the box
- Embedded adapter interface: 10Base-T, 100Base-TX and 1000Base-T over Category 5 or higher UTP to 328 feet (100 m), on a four-lane PCI Express connection
- Management port: a separate Integrated Lights-Out 2 remote management port, independent of the two data ports
- Expansion: four PCI Express slots available for use, one of them consumed by the Smart Array controller on Base and Performance models
- Gigabit cards listed: NC110T single port, NC360T dual port, NC364T quad port, NC373T Multifunction and NC380T dual-port Multifunction, plus the NC373F Multifunction adapter for fibre
- 10 Gigabit: the NC522SFP dual-port 10GbE adapter, which HPE documents as needing a minimum of 2GB of server memory per adapter fitted
iSCSI here is a licence, not a card. The two embedded NC373i Multifunction adapters already carry a TCP/IP Offload Engine, and Accelerated iSCSI is supported on them through an optional Licensing Kit. An add-in adapter earns its slot when the need is port count, fibre or 10 Gigabit — this generation gives you two onboard ports, not four.
Do you need an add-in adapter at all?
| What you need | Answer |
|---|---|
| Two more Gigabit copper ports | NC360T dual port, or the NC380T where Multifunction features are wanted |
| Four more Gigabit copper ports | NC364T quad port |
| Gigabit over fibre | NC373F PCI Express Multifunction |
| 10 Gigabit over SFP+ | NC522SFP dual port |
| iSCSI offload | The embedded NC373i ports, once the optional Licensing Kit is applied |
That last row is the one worth reading twice. Accelerated iSCSI on this generation is a licence against hardware you already own, not a card, so a storage-network requirement does not automatically mean an adapter purchase. Buy a card when the need is port count, fibre, or 10 Gigabit.
Choosing the Right DL380 G5 Network Adapter
- Check the slot, not just the card. The NC380T is supported on a full length, full height slot only, which rules out the two low-profile embedded slots.
- Count what the Smart Array has left you. Four PCI Express slots are available and one is already occupied on Base and Performance models, so a storage card and a network card can use up the machine quickly.
- Budget memory for 10 Gigabit. HPE calls for at least 2GB of server memory per NC522SFP adapter, which is a real constraint on a server whose ceiling is 64GB.
- Cables and transceivers are separate. The NC522SFP ships bare: direct attach copper for short runs, or transceivers and fibre for longer ones.
- Watch the operating system notes. HPE records that the NC110T and NC364T do not support Windows 2000, which still turns up on servers of this age.
Complete Your DL380 G5 Build
Ten Gigabit adapters need memory headroom on a 64GB platform — see DL380 G5 memory. Slot pressure comes mostly from storage, so check DL380 G5 storage controllers too. Also available: DL380 G5 hard drives, processors and power supplies, or the full DL380 G5 parts listing. Other models are listed under HPE parts by server model.
DL380 G5 Networking Adapters FAQ
How many network ports does a DL380 G5 have as standard?
Two. A pair of embedded HPE NC373i Multifunction Gigabit adapters provides two RJ-45 ports, and a separate port serves iLO 2 management.
Does the onboard DL380 G5 adapter support iSCSI?
The hardware does. The embedded NC373i adapters carry a TCP/IP Offload Engine, and Accelerated iSCSI is supported through an optional Licensing Kit rather than being enabled as shipped.
Does the DL380 G5 support 10 Gigabit Ethernet?
Yes, through the NC522SFP dual-port 10GbE server adapter. HPE documents a minimum of two gigabytes of server memory for each NC522SFP fitted.
Which network card gives the most ports?
The NC364T PCI Express Quad Port Gigabit Server Adapter, which adds four RJ-45 ports on one card. With the two embedded ports that takes the server to six.
Are cables included with the NC522SFP?
No. Direct attach copper cables for copper environments, and fibre transceivers and cables for optical ones, are purchased separately from the adapter.
Is there a slot restriction on any DL380 G5 network card?
Yes. HPE supports the NC380T dual-port Multifunction adapter in a full length, full height slot only, so it cannot go in either of the two low-profile embedded slots.
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