The models of Ethernet adapters cards and ports that can be configured for VxRail nodes are restricted. Each vendor adapter card and firmware select for support with VxRail must pass a set of tests to be qualified. The following table highlights the third-party networking products that pass qualification and are supported for VxRail.

Table 2.      VxRail-supported Ethernet adapters

The following guidelines should drive port adapter selection:

• When a VxRail cluster is initially built, Dell Technologies recommends that all the NICs that are used to form the cluster be of the same vendor. This requirement is not absolute. This rule does not apply to nodes added to an existing VxRail cluster, so long as the port speed and port type match the existing nodes.
• VxRail recommends using the same adapter card vendor and model for all the nodes in a cluster that support VxRail cluster operations. Dell Technologies does not guarantee that using optics or cables from one vendor with an adapter card from another vendor works as expected. VxRail recommends consulting the Dell cable and optics support matrix before attempting to mix vendor equipment in a VxRail cluster.
• The feature sets supported from NIC suppliers do not always match. Certain features depend on the firmware or driver in the adapter card to support certain features. If you require a specific feature to meet a business requirement, contact a Dell Technologies sales specialist. They can verify whether a specific vendor supports the feature.