Question ESXi Compatible 10G SFP card that isn't locked

[velocityg4]

In the next couple weeks I may be moving a server to a new location. At this new location will be an upgraded network. Right now it's just using 1GbE on an old Netgear switch. The new location will have a new Aruba Switch with 10G SFP ports for the server.

Anyways I ordered an Intel X520-DA2 card for the server. As it seemed a great card. I also bought Two HP DAC cables for it J9283D.

I like to be prepared. So, I was reading up on how to get ESXi to use the new card for the VM's (Windows Server 2016 and various Ubuntu).

That's when I read about a major issue with the X520-DA2. Apparently they only work with Intel Optics. The card just rejects anything not approved for the card. Maybe this will or won't be the case. But I can't fiddle around and test this. The server and switch are in two physically different locations. I need to be certain I can plug in and go. Not be stuck ordering parts.

Here's what I want with an SFP+ card.

• Works with VMWare ESXi. Preferably just plugged in and recognized without fiddling around downloading and installing drivers.
• No artificial SFP optics locks.
• 10G SFP one or two ports

Otherwise cables that will absolutely work. The server will physically be on the same rack as the switch. So, if I can get a couple cheap DAC Cable's that would be super.

 

[velocityg4]

Update: Found a company that makes custom SFP+ DAC cables. So, each end may be setup for guaranteed compatibility with vendors of your choice.