New Intel E835 Network Adapters/Controllers?!?

[WhiteNoise]

I was just downloading the latest version of intel network drivers and I noticed that they added support for a new series of network cards and controllers E835.

I am very confused because they look exactly the same as E830 which were launched a year ago.

What's the difference?

Intel® Ethernet E830 Network Adapters (up to 200GbE) Product Specifications

Intel® Ethernet E830 Network Adapters (up to 200GbE) product listing with links to detailed product features and specifications.

www.intel.com

Intel® Ethernet E835 Network Adapters (up to 200GbE) Product Specifications

Intel® Ethernet E835 Network Adapters (up to 200GbE) product listing with links to detailed product features and specifications.

www.intel.com

 

[WhiteNoise]

Ok I found something in the FreeBSD mailing list

This is a follow up for E830 adapters with Security Protocol
and Data Model (SPDM) support and RDMA support available
on 100 and 200Gbps links.

I guess this answers my own question

 

[EffrafaxOfWug]

Has anyone tried an E835 (or even an E830?) in the wild yet?

I was mulling pulling the trigger on another X710-DA2 when I noticed the E835-XXVDA2 was only a few quid more; I'm only using 10GbE so the fact they can do 25Gb/s is irrelevant to me, but I am swayed by arguments like improved power consumption and the ability to move to PCIe 4.0 (its ultimate destination will probably be in a x4 slot).

Sadly there doesn't seem to be much info out there as to how they behave in the real world.

Edit: Eventually found a PDF which pegs their idle consumption at 6.15-8.29W (depending on DACs vs. optics) whereas the venerable X710-DA2 is more in the 3-5W bracket, so not so great overall.

 

[WhiteNoise]

The X710-DA2 can be bought used for $50. A used E810-XXVDA2 is around $125. The E835 is too new to be available in the secondary market but it should be around $250.

I think the power consumption of the E835 with 10G optics should be the same or better than X710. The E835 likely won't support ASPM out-of-the-box but it's more modern card with more features (RoCE v2).