HPE ProLiant DL385 Gen10 Plus Networking Adapters
Genuine HPE network adapters for the HPE ProLiant DL385 Gen10 Plus, new and refurbished. This platform ships with no network ports as standard — the QuickSpecs list a choice of OCP or stand-up card, so every build needs one or the other.
DL385 Gen10 Plus Networking Specifications
- Form factors: one rear OCP 3.0 slot, plus PCIe 4.0 stand-up cards across the primary, secondary, and tertiary risers
- Speeds: 1GbE BASE-T, 10GbE BASE-T and SFP+, 10/25GbE SFP28, 100GbE QSFP28 and QSFP56, and 200GbE QSFP56
- Silicon: HPE-qualified Broadcom, Intel, Marvell, Mellanox, and Xilinx adapters, many offered in both PCIe and OCP3 versions
- InfiniBand: HDR100 and HDR 200Gb QSFP56 adapters in PCIe 4.0 x16 and OCP 3.0 form
- Slot rules: 4-port adapters go in slot 1 only, and slots 4 through 8 require the second processor
- Management port: a dedicated 1Gb iLO port is standard and separate from the data NICs
Budget the one OCP slot, then use the risers. The DL385 Gen10 Plus has no network ports as standard and a single OCP 3.0 slot, so a second adapter has to be a stand-up PCIe card — and riser slots 4 through 8 require the second processor.
Which network adapter fits the DL385 Gen10 Plus?
| Speed | Media | Form factors |
|---|---|---|
| 1GbE | RJ-45 BASE-T | OCP 3.0 or PCIe |
| 10GbE | BASE-T or SFP+ | OCP 3.0 or PCIe |
| 10/25GbE | SFP28 | OCP 3.0 or PCIe |
| 100GbE | QSFP28 or QSFP56 | OCP 3.0 or PCIe |
| 200GbE and InfiniBand HDR | QSFP56 | OCP 3.0 or PCIe 4.0 x16 |
Cards ship without cabling — DAC cables for copper, or transceivers and fiber for optical links, are ordered separately. HPE also notes that each adapter needs at least 2GB of server memory available to it.
Choosing the Right DL385 Gen10 Plus Network Adapter
- Use the OCP 3.0 slot first — it keeps riser slots free for storage controllers or accelerators. There is only one OCP slot, so a second NIC has to be a stand-up PCIe card.
- Mind the riser dependency: the primary riser gives three slots on processor 1, while slots 4 through 8 sit on the secondary and tertiary risers and need the second CPU.
- Plan cooling above 25GbE: 100Gb and 200Gb cards, stand-up or OCP, require the Maximum Performance fan kit and an inlet ambient held under 25C.
- Match the media to your fabric: BASE-T for existing copper, SFP28 or QSFP with DACs or optics purchased separately.
Complete Your DL385 Gen10 Plus Build
Finish the platform with DL385 Gen10 Plus memory, drives, storage controllers, processors, and power supplies, or browse the full DL385 Gen10 Plus parts page. Neighboring platforms: DL385 Gen10 adapters and DL385 Gen10 Plus v2 adapters. Catalog-wide: HPE parts by server model.
DL385 Gen10 Plus Networking Adapters FAQ
Does the HPE ProLiant DL385 Gen10 Plus have built-in Ethernet ports?
No. The QuickSpecs list network ports as 'None. Choice of OCP or stand up card.' The only standard network connection is the dedicated 1Gb iLO management port.
What is the difference between OCP 3.0 and PCIe network adapters?
The same networking silicon in two mounting formats. An OCP 3.0 card slides into the dedicated rear OCP slot and leaves the PCIe riser slots free; a stand-up card occupies a slot on the primary, secondary, or tertiary riser.
How many network adapters can a DL385 Gen10 Plus take?
One OCP 3.0 card plus stand-up PCIe adapters in the riser slots - three slots with a single processor, up to eight with two processors installed. Four-port adapters are supported in slot 1 only.
Do 25GbE and 100GbE adapters include transceivers?
No. The adapter part number covers the card only. Direct attach copper cables or fiber transceivers are purchased separately, while BASE-T adapters connect with standard copper patch cables.
Does a 100GbE adapter need extra cooling in the DL385 Gen10 Plus?
Yes. HPE requires the Maximum Performance fan kit for 100Gb and 200Gb cards in both stand-up and OCP form, with the inlet ambient temperature held under 25C.
Can I mix Broadcom, Intel, and Mellanox adapters in one server?
Yes - all are HPE-qualified for this platform and coexist cleanly. A common build pairs an OCP 3.0 card for general traffic with a stand-up PCIe adapter for storage or high-speed networks.
✅ Looking for a specific DL385 Gen10 Plus network adapter? Browse our full selection below.
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