AOC-STGN-I2S (x520) - dual sfp+

[Cruzader]

Had 40$/ea for 2 accepted on these AOC-STGN-I2S, did not try any lower.
Supermicros x520-da2 equivalent card.

Decent price for being dual sfp+ esxi 7.0 supported.
Very low shipping cost for me to Europe.

 

[BShoppy]

Of course this pops up almost immediately after I've had an offer accepted and paid $25 for a single port ConnectX-3

But since I really only need the one port, I suppose I got the best thing for me.

 

[NachoCDN]

join the club.. also purchased 2 x single port ConnectX-3.. and now i'm thinking it's just money right?

 

[mach3.2]

It's worth noting that the nmlx4_en driver won't be in ESXi 8.0, so if you're running ESXi, a ConnectX-3 is probably not what you should be buying right now.

Also, no idea if it's even possible to sideload the nmlx4_en drivers from ESXi 7.0 in ESXi 8.0.

https://kb.vmware.com/s/article/88172

 

[nabsltd]

Anybody got a source for cheap low profile brackets for these cards? Everything I can find is so expensive that it's almost better to pay $65 for a card that already has a low profile bracket.

 

[mimino]

@Cruzader Thanks for the deal. Where in Europe are you? I'm getting quoted $19.64 shipping + $18.57 import duty for shipping to Belgium

 

[BShoppy]

It's worth noting that the nmlx4_en driver won't be in ESXi 8.0, so if you're running ESXi, a ConnectX-3 is probably not what you should be buying right now.

Also, no idea if it's even possible to sideload the nmlx4_en drivers from ESXi 7.0 in ESXi 8.0.

https://kb.vmware.com/s/article/88172

Considering that ESXi 7.0 is supported until end of Q1 2025, I don't think most homelab users should be too worried. We know we are buying generations old hardware.

 

[Cruzader]

@Cruzader Thanks for the deal. Where in Europe are you? I'm getting quoted $19.64 shipping + $18.57 import duty for shipping to Belgium

i paid 25$ for 2 to Norway, for being a small shipment from a US broker that is decent.
Especialy for multiple it tends to jump massivly.

i got 2 of these per host, previus pairs have been around 110+50 so 80+25 is a decent drop.

It's worth noting that the nmlx4_en driver won't be in ESXi 8.0, so if you're running ESXi, a ConnectX-3 is probably not what you should be buying right now.

Also, no idea if it's even possible to sideload the nmlx4_en drivers from ESXi 7.0 in ESXi 8.0.

https://kb.vmware.com/s/article/88172

Some of connectx3 is already missing SR-IOV in 7.0, i had 311A cards in one host that i replaced due to this.
So they are a bit meh already imo

 

[newabc]

AOC-STGN-I2S v2.0 with Low-profile bracket, $32/each

Supermicro E157872 2 Port 10gbit SFP Low-profile AOC-STGN-I2S | eBay

Find many great new & used options and get the best deals for Supermicro E157872 2 Port 10gbit SFP Low-profile AOC-STGN-I2S at the best online prices at eBay! Free shipping for many products!

www.ebay.com

Lowest price?

 

[BackupProphet]

I find weird that so many homelabbers use the proprietary ESXi when KVM/Qemu is so friggin good. My guess this is a GUI thing preference?

 

[Cruzader]

I find weird that so many homelabbers use the proprietary ESXi when KVM/Qemu is so friggin good. My guess this is a GUI thing preference?

Cant say ive ever seen GUI mentioned as a part of picking hypervisor tbh

For most it tends to just be about marketshare.
Vmware is the most mentioned/wanted hypervisor in job listings and still most likely one to encounter in a enterprise setting.
+ somewhat like cisco in networking their certs hold value even if they are on a diffrent vendor.