How to select the optical module used on the server

      We often encounter customers asking if there are optical modules compatible with a certain server. At this time, our sales or FAE colleagues will ask which manufacturer's network adapter the server is using. Some customers may not understand that I am buying optical modules for use on the server. If you ask me what the network adapter is for, let's explain why.
      Friends who know about servers know it, but those who don't know it will also know after reading this article that servers are not equipped with optical module sockets like switches. Figure 1 shows the internal schematic diagramof the Lenovo SR650 server, and we cannot see the interface that can be directly inserted into the optical module:

Figure 1 Internal schematic of the Lenovo SR650 server

      So how are optical modules used on servers and connected to switches through fiber optic interconnection? Here we need to introduce another device - network adapter, also known as a network card in China. Figure 2 shows the physical image of the Intel X520 series network adapter. We can see that the network adapter has an interface for optical modules to be inserted, and the gold finger end can be inserted into the PCIe slot of the server, so that the server can achieve fiber optic interconnection with the switch.

Figure 2 Intel X520 series network adapter

      After the above introduction, we know that the optical module used by the server is inserted into a network adapter. Therefore, when configuring the optical module for the server, it is necessary to choose the type and compatibility requirements of the optical module based on the network adapter configured by the server. Different manufacturers' network adapters also have different compatibility requirements for the optical module.
      Currently, mainstream network adapter manufacturers in the market include Intel, Broadcom, Mellanox, QLogic, and others.
      Moduletek Limited is equipped with network adapters from the aforementioned manufacturers, and all modules will be tested for compatibility on these network adapters before shipment. Only after passing the test can they be shipped. Welcome to purchase !
      If you have any questions about the above content, you can contact us by Email : web@moduletek.com