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Q
What is a Cisco Network Adapter?
A
A Cisco Network Adapter is a PCIe interface card that delivers high-speed Ethernet connectivity, protocol offloads, and advanced networking features to enhance server performance.
Q
Which Cisco Network Adapter models are compatible with my server?
A
Cisco supports VIC 1457, VIC 1457 Gen2, OCN 150, and OCN 150-F adapters for UCS servers and standard PCIe slots; verify compatibility using Cisco’s Hardware Compatibility Matrix.
Q
How do I install a Cisco Network Adapter?
A
Power off the server, insert the adapter into an available PCIe slot, secure the bracket, power on, and install the latest Cisco driver and firmware from Cisco’s download center.
Q
How can I update the firmware on my Cisco Network Adapter?
A
Download the latest firmware package from the Cisco support portal, run the Cisco Host Package Installation Utility (hsiutil), and follow on-screen prompts to complete the update.
Q
What network speeds do Cisco Network Adapters support?
A
Cisco Network Adapters support speeds from 1 GbE up to 100 GbE—including 10, 25, 40, and 50 GbE variants—depending on the adapter model.
Q
Do Cisco Network Adapters support RDMA for low latency?
A
Yes, many Cisco adapters support RDMA over Converged Ethernet (RoCE) and iWARP to enable low‐latency, high-throughput data transfers in virtualized and HPC environments.
Q
Are Cisco Network Adapters compatible with VMware, Hyper-V, and KVM?
A
Cisco Network Adapters provide certified drivers and hardware offloads for VMware ESXi, Microsoft Hyper-V, and Linux KVM to optimize virtualization performance.
Q
How do I configure VLANs and network teaming on a Cisco Network Adapter?
A
Use Cisco adapter utilities or host OS network settings to define VLAN IDs, create tagged interfaces, and configure link aggregation or NIC teaming for redundancy and load balancing.
Q
What troubleshooting steps address link connectivity issues with Cisco Network Adapters?
A
Verify physical connections, inspect adapter LEDs, update drivers and firmware, review OS network logs for errors, and run Cisco’s diagnostic tool for detailed analysis.
Q
How can I monitor performance and health of Cisco Network Adapters?
A
Use Cisco UCS Manager, Cisco CIMC, or SNMP-based monitoring tools to track link status, throughput, error counters, and temperature metrics in real time.
Q
What warranty and support options are available for Cisco Network Adapters?
A
Cisco offers a lifetime hardware warranty and 90-day software support by default, with optional SMARTnet and extended maintenance contracts for advanced coverage.
Q
How do I choose the right Cisco Network Adapter for my data center requirements?
A
Assess throughput needs, server compatibility, offload features (RDMA, VXLAN), port density, and budget to select an adapter that balances performance and cost.
Q
Are Cisco Network Adapters compatible with Linux and Windows operating systems?
A
Yes, Cisco provides certified drivers and step-by-step installation guides for major Linux distributions (RHEL, Ubuntu, SUSE) and Microsoft Windows Server editions.
Q
Can I return or replace a defective Cisco Network Adapter?
A
Defective adapters are eligible for replacement under Cisco’s hardware warranty via your Cisco reseller or through the Cisco RMA process detailed on Cisco’s support site.
Q
Where can I download drivers for Cisco Network Adapters?
A
Visit the Cisco Software Download Center at software.cisco.com, search for your adapter model, and download the latest drivers, firmware, and release notes.
Q
What security features do Cisco Network Adapters offer?
A
Cisco adapters support Secure Boot, trusted firmware verification, checksum and crypto offloads, and VLAN/ACL enforcement to strengthen data path security.
Q
How do Cisco Network Adapters improve application performance?
A
By offloading tasks such as TCP/IP checksum calculation, segmentation, and encryption to dedicated hardware, Cisco adapters reduce CPU load and accelerate data throughput.
