Lenovo ThinkSystem Solarflare X2522-Plus 10/25GbE SFP28 Ethernet Adapter

The Lenovo ThinkSystem Solarflare X2522-Plus 10/25GbE SFP28 Ethernet Adapter is a high-performance 2-port NIC designed to power demanding networks in electronic trading floors, cloud data centers, and enterprise environments. Engineered for ultra-low latency and high data throughput, this adapter delivers scalable 25 GbE connectivity with flexible optics to optimize rack density and network efficiency. It combines Solarflare’s renowned offload technology with robust driver support to accelerate AI, big data analytics, machine learning pipelines, and real-time trading workloads while ensuring reliability in virtualized environments. Whether you’re building a low-latency trading infrastructure or expanding a cloud platform, the X2522-Plus helps you maximize throughput, reduce CPU overhead, and streamline data movement across your network.

• Two 25 GbE SFP28 ports for high-bandwidth, low-latency connectivity in modern data centers.
• PCIe 3.0 host interface for fast data transfer with broad server compatibility and scalable I/O expansion.
• Supports both 25 GbE and legacy 10 GbE networking via SFP28 transceivers, enabling flexible deployment and upgrade paths.
• Hardware offload and optimized TCP/IP processing to reduce CPU overhead, lower latency, and improve application performance in trading, analytics, and AI workloads.
• Strong virtualization and cloud readiness with SR-IOV, virtualization-aware drivers, and broad operating system support for Windows and Linux environments.

Technical Details of Lenovo ThinkSystem Solarflare X2522-Plus 10/25GbE SFP28 Ethernet Adapter

• Ports: 2 x 25 GbE SFP28 with flexible optics support
• Host Interface: PCIe 3.0
• Data Throughput: 25 GbE per port (10 GbE capabilities via compatible transceivers)
• Connector Type: SFP28 (modules sold separately)
• Form Factor: PCIe adapter card for standard servers and ThinkSystem platforms
• Driver & Software: Vendor-provided drivers with Open Onload-compatible acceleration for low-latency networking; broad Linux and Windows support
• Features: Hardware offload, TCP/IP acceleration, low latency optimization, SR-IOV support for virtualization
• Compatibility: Designed for Lenovo ThinkSystem servers and data center deployments; suitable for AI, big data, and cloud workloads

• Operating System Support: Linux distributions and Windows Server environments commonly used in data centers
• Networking Protocols: Ethernet with 25 GbE and 10 GbE capabilities via SFP28 optics
• Security & Reliability: Hardware-assisted processing for consistent performance under heavy load
• Power & Cooling: Engineered for enterprise-grade reliability within standard data center power and cooling budgets
• Warranty & Service: Standard Lenovo service and support options available for ThinkSystem components

How to install Lenovo ThinkSystem Solarflare X2522-Plus 10/25GbE SFP28 Ethernet Adapter

• Power down the server, unplug power, and open the chassis to access an available PCIe slot.
• Identify a compatible PCIe slot (prefer PCIe 3.0 x8 or higher) and remove the slot cover if needed.
• Insert the X2522-Plus adapter firmly into the PCIe slot and secure the card with a mounting screw as required by the chassis.
• Attach the appropriate SFP28 transceivers and connect the fiber or copper cabling according to your network design.
• Reassemble the chassis, reconnect power, boot the server, and install the latest Solarflare/Lenovo drivers from the vendor's website or the server vendor repository.

Frequently asked questions

• What does the Lenovo ThinkSystem Solarflare X2522-Plus enable for my data center?

It provides high-bandwidth, low-latency 25 GbE connectivity with hardware offload and virtualization features, ideal for trading systems, AI/ML workloads, and large-scale analytics in cloud and data center environments.

• What type of optics do I need for the X2522-Plus?

The adapter uses SFP28 optics, so you will need SFP28-compatible transceivers for 25 GbE or 10 GbE connectivity, depending on your network configuration.

• Is this adapter compatible with SR-IOV and virtualization technologies?

Yes. The X2522-Plus supports SR-IOV and virtualization-friendly drivers to optimize virtual machine networking and improve performance in VM-dense environments.

• Which operating systems are supported?

Generic driver support is provided for Windows Server and Linux distributions commonly used in data centers. Verify the exact driver versions from Lenovo/Solarflare for your OS version.

• How does this adapter help with AI, big data, and cloud workloads?

By offloading TCP/IP processing and providing direct, high-speed PCIe-connected interfaces, the adapter reduces CPU overhead, enables faster data movement, and improves application throughput for data-intensive tasks.