Installation Requirements

NT40E3-4-PTP Installation

Platform
Napatech SmartNIC
Content Type
Hardware Installation Guide

Power considerations

The NT40E3-4-PTP SmartNIC operates above the 25 W specified for a PCI Express slot. Accordingly, the SmartNIC must either be installed in a PCIe generation 3 slot, or the auxiliary power connector must be used for additional power supply (see Optional Auxiliary Power Connector Specifications).

See Electrical rating for details on power consumption.

PCI considerations

The PCI Express connector in which the SmartNIC is inserted must physically be an 8-lane or 16-lane Gen3 type connector.

Cooling

The SmartNIC must be installed only in a server having adequate cooling air flow to maintain the air temperature around the SmartNIC at or below 45 °C during operation. Avoid installation in a slot adjacent to other high-temperature components. The I/O bracket must not be blocked, preventing the fan from blowing air out of the cooling system.

Operating temperature

The power consumption and thereby the heat dissipation depend on the SmartNIC activity. After a first installation in a new server, the ambient temperature should be verified by measurement while processing at full rate on all channels.
Note: Failure to observe these requirements might cause intermittent operation.

Transport considerations

When installing the SmartNIC in the server, you must ensure that the SmartNIC is firmly secured in the PCI slot using the retention mechanism, for instance screw or clamp, provided in the server. In addition, you must ensure that the retention mechanism provides sufficient protection of the SmartNIC against excessive vibration stress during transport. If the retention mechanism is not sufficient, you must consider adding extra retention or other means of preventing vibration stress.
CAUTION:
If these precautions are not respected, there is a risk of the SmartNIC being damaged due to vibration stress during transport of the server.