Pros: Dual network ports over RJ45.
Backwards compatible with FE and GE (100Mbps and 1Gbps)
Comes with standard and low profile brackets
No drivers needed for VM Ware ESXi (5.5.0 u2 tested), Citrix XenServer (7.2 and 7.3 tested)

Cons: Does not come with a driver disc
requires airflow to stay cool

Other Thoughts: Overall you can't beat Intel network cards in the server market. They are fast, reliable, and the most stable drivers on the market.

Even if you don't have a 10Gb switch this is still a good card to put in your server, as that is one less thing that needs configuration when you do upgrade your network equipment.

It doesn't come with a driver disc but I believe most sewer server OSes will have native support. I know for a fact VM Ware ESXi 5.5.0 u2, Citrix XenServer 7.2 and Citrix XenServer 7.3 have native drivers for this card.

Pros: Dual 10Gbase-T (RJ45) ports in one slot
Intel Reliability and stability
Low profile bracket included
Supported by EVERY server OS

Cons: Cost.

Other Thoughts: In the world of servers reliability and stability is key. Intel network cards are in my opinion your only choice. They have extremely stable drivers for every server OS, and I've never had an Intel network card fail in the 14 years that I've been doing server support. In the end this card is Its a little costly but it is extremely fast, and reliable.

Pros: Does exactly what it is supposed to. Setup was as easy as any other networking card, except ten times the speed!

We put one of these on our server, and on our video editing workstation. We have a Netgear 10gbe XS708E switch between them. They are all connected through shielded CAT7.

In a realistic day-to-day use, it's usually around 300 to 500 MBps. In some specific scenarios (large ISO files, etc) it goes to over 700MBps. This easily maxes out the SSD on the workstation! We no longer have to copy video files locally at our studio, instead they can remain on the server.

It was very easy to set up link aggregation. I managed a peak of roughly 1.8GBps transfers to the server in specific scenarios, like setting up a ramdrive, running ATTO, etc.

Cons: Kinda pricy, but being able to stream our huge Nuke and AE composites from the server without lag has more than paid for itself.

Other Thoughts: The NIC worked great and as expected. But full 10gbe switches are still expensive and LOUD. Not recommended for home use unless you can avoid using the current range of 10gb switches.