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| The QXG-100G2SF-BCM provides very fast 100GbE connections |
In a move set to thrill enterprise users, creative professionals, and high-performance computing enthusiasts, QNAP has officially launched a formidable new network expansion card designed to obliterate data transfer bottlenecks. The QXG-100G2SF-BCM is a powerful, actively-cooled PCIe card that promises to deliver blistering 200 Gbps of aggregate bandwidth, pushing NAS systems and workstations into the realm of extreme-speed networking.
Breaking Down the Hardware: Dual 100G and Broadcom Power
At the heart of this new card is a Broadcom 57508 controller, a chip renowned for its reliability and performance in demanding network environments. The card’s standout feature is its two QSFP28 slots, each capable of supporting a staggering 100 Gbps data transfer rate. This dual-port design allows for incredibly fast direct connections between devices or a high-bandwidth link to a modern data center switch, making it ideal for tasks like 8K video editing from a NAS, rapid virtual machine migration, or handling massive scientific datasets.
A key technology highlighted by QNAP is its support for RDMA (Remote Direct Memory Access). This feature is a game-changer for efficiency, as it allows the card to transfer data directly to system memory, bypassing the CPU. The result is a significantly reduced system load, lower latency, and higher throughput—critical factors for real-time applications and clustered storage environments.
Compatibility and Cabling: What You Need to Know
To get started, users will need a PCIe 4.0 x16 slot to unlock the card’s full potential, though it maintains backward compatibility with PCIe 3.0 at reduced speeds. Recognizing the diverse environments it will operate in, QNAP ships the card with both a standard and a low-profile bracket, ensuring it fits not only full-size servers and workstations but also compact NAS units and rack servers.
Cabling is a crucial consideration at these speeds. The card requires QSFP28 transceivers, which must be purchased separately based on the needed connection type (like fiber). For a simpler, cost-effective solution for short-distance connections, QNAP offers a matching 4.9-ft Direct Attached Cable (DAC), the CAB-DAC15M-Q28. This copper cable eliminates the need for separate transceivers, providing a plug-and-play link between compatible devices.
For a complete overview of all specifications, compatible devices, and official documentation, visit the product page on QNAP’s website: QXG-100G2SF-BCM.
Target Market and Availability
QNAP explicitly mentions compatibility with its own QTS and QuTS hero NAS operating systems, as well as Windows 11, positioning the card as a versatile upgrade for both dedicated network storage ecosystems and high-end workstations. The company also notes that special mounting brackets for selected QNAP NAS models are included in the box.
The QXG-100G2SF-BCM carries a Manufacturer's Suggested Retail Price (MSRP) of $999 in the United States. While QNAP states the card is available now, initial retail presence appears limited in some regions. The company anticipates that availability will broaden through its distribution channels in the coming weeks.
The Bottom Line
This launch solidifies QNAP’s push into the high-speed networking arena, providing a direct upgrade path for users whose workloads have outgrown 10GbE or even 25GbE connections. By leveraging RDMA and the robust Broadcom controller, the QXG-100G2SF-BCM isn’t just about raw speed—it’s about intelligent, efficient speed that can transform a capable NAS or server into a true data center powerhouse.