World's first dual port 10GBASE-T adapter with full offload

Based on the company's Ethernet technology, the device is packaged in a low profile PCI Express form factor and is designed to support both networking and storage traffic over a single 10 Gigabit Ethernet (GbE) connection. Using RJ-45 connections for distances up to 100metres, Broadcam says the adapter delivers 'significant' cost and power savings to Enterprise server farms and cloud data centres, while providing a transition path from legacy 1GbE devices to 10GbE. According to the January 2011 LightCounting report on 10GBASE-T, total 10GBASE-T ports are expected to increase dramatically between 2011 and 2014, with a compound annual growth rate (CAGR) of 233%. Based on Broadcom's BCM57712 MAC and BCM84823 PHY components, the new 10GBASET adapter is said to be the first technology to bring full offload capabilities to 10GbE and the first to integrate TCP/IP and iSCSI offload on a 10GBASE-T medium. Tight integration between the MAC and PHY layers and end to end interaction between the server and switch has been designed to provide optimised performance and flexibility.