The 10,000 Mbps Ethernet transfer rate per port (40 Gb aggregate full duplex) delivers network performance that improves response time and removes bottlenecks required for the next generation data center. Ten Gigabit Ethernet bandwidth is ideal for high performance computing, database clusters, iSCSI storage, storage backups, grid systems, virtualization, server and I/O consolidation, fabric consolidation, and more.

Internet Small Computer System Interface (iSCSI) allows the NC512m to multi-function both as a network adapter and as a storage host bus adapter, thereby providing access to storage boxes and to servers over a single connection. Accelerated iSCSI offloads the iSCSI software to the hardware for improved system performance. The accelerated iSCSI Multifunction feature is planned for a future, no cost release.

The two ports on the NC512m can be transmitted to separate enclosure interconnects providing redundant signal paths.

Its support for jumbo frames (also known as extended frames) permit up to an 8K byte transmission unit (MTU), which is over five times the size of standard 1500 byte Ethernet frame. The use of jumbo frames is a way to achieve higher throughput and better CPU utilization. Jumbo frames are particularly useful for database transfers and tape backups.