High-Speed Networking: Assessing Ethernet and InfiniBand Card Options
Updated at Mar 4th 20241 min read
As market competition intensifies and technological capabilities continue to advance, various types of network interface cards, including Ethernet Network Interface Cards (Ethernet NICs) and InfiniBand Network Interface Cards (IB NICs), have emerged. Choosing the right NIC can not only significantly enhance data center performance but also address the growing demands for data processing. This article will explore the key differences between Ethernet NICs and InfiniBand NICs, helping you make an informed decision in an ever-evolving networking landscape and ensuring your network architecture is both efficient and scalable for the future.
What Is An Ethernet Card?
An Ethernet card, or network adapter, is hardware that connects computers to networks using the Ethernet standard. Each card has a unique MAC address to identify the device on the network and route data effectively. Ethernet cards vary by supported bandwidth, interface type (copper or fiber optic), and bus connection (e.g., PCI, PCIe, USB).
FS offers a wide range of Ethernet cards, including NVIDIA® Ethernet NICs from 25G to 400G, Intel®/Intel Based Ethernet NICs from 10G to 100G and Broadcom® Ethernet NICs from 10G to 400G. Designed for high-bandwidth, high-density environments, FS Ethernet cards enable organizations to meet current and future networking demands with confidence.
To learn more about Ethernet card types, read: What Is a Network Interface Card - NIC Definition, Function & Types
What Is An InfiniBand NIC?
The InfiniBand NIC is a high-performance network adapter widely used in high-performance computing (HPC) and data center environments. InfiniBand is a high-speed, low-latency interconnect technology designed to support demanding applications such as HPC, large-scale data transfers, and cluster computing.
By delivering ultra-fast data transmission and low-latency communication, IB network cards are ideal for connecting servers, storage systems, and other network devices to achieve exceptional performance and high-throughput data transfer. This makes them particularly suitable for applications requiring rapid data processing or low-latency communication, such as scientific computing, machine learning, financial transactions, and large-scale databases.
FS provides NVIDIA® InfiniBand NICs from 100G to 400G, leveraging faster speeds and innovative In-Network Computing, NVIDIA® ConnectX® InfiniBand smart adapters achieve extreme performance and scale.

Ethernet Card vs InfiniBand NIC
Factor | Ethernet NICs | InfiniBand NICs (IB NICs) |
Technology | Ethernet protocols (e.g. TCP/IP) | InfiniBand protocol, designed primarily for HPC, supports RDMA technology |
Bandwidth | Supports 1Gbps to 400Gbps (commonly 10G, 25G, 100G, etc.) | Supports up to 100Gbps or higher |
Latency | Based on TCP/UDP protocols (typically 10us) | Relies on RDMA technology, which does not involve the CPU and greatly reduces latency (typically 600ns) |
Reliability | May experience buffer congestion and packet loss under extreme conditions, impacting transmission stability. | Provides lossless transmission with end-to-end flow control, creating a highly reliable network environment. |
Applications | Widely used in enterprise networks, cloud computing, web hosting, and home networks. | Primarily used in HPC environments, scientific research, large-scale simulations, and financial services, where high message rates and low latency are critical, such as AI and big data analytics. |
Cost | Lower cost, widely used in various network environments | Higher cost, used in professional fields requiring extreme performance. |
When choosing between an InfiniBand NIC and an Ethernet card, it is essential to consider your specific application requirements.
For scenarios requiring extremely low latency, high bandwidth, and lossless transmission—such as high-performance computing (HPC), scientific research, and financial services—InfiniBand NICs are the ideal choice. They deliver ultra-low latency, exceptional performance, and reliable data transmission.
For most enterprise networks, cloud computing, etc., Ethernet cards are more cost-effective and versatile. They offer high compatibility, ease of deployment and maintenance, and are suitable for a wide range of general networking applications.
Ultimately, the decision should be based on factors such as performance requirements, network scale, budget, and the specific application environment.
Bottom Line
Alongside a comprehensive range of Ethernet and InfiniBand NICs, FS offers expert online technical support to assist users in selecting the most suitable network adapter for their data center environments. With FS, enterprises can confidently build efficient, scalable, and future-ready network infrastructures. Explore and design your solution on FS.com!