Hello I’m getting into homelabs because I wana get into the IT field, I think this would be a really good way for me to learn stuff. My plan is to have an ESXI server a switch and a physical NAS. I would like to connect the NAS to the ESXI server and have the VM images stored on it. I’m sure other projects will involve the NAS but other than that it will just be file transfer and storage. So to the main question, I’m looking for a good 2.5Gbe NIC. I don’t really intend to do any super intensive stuff with the VMs like no media stuff.

  • flossraptor@alien.topBEnglish
    1·
    1 year ago

    A good 2.5gb NIC is a 10gb NIC. They negotiate whatever speed they can manage with the hardware and wiring they have. I got a dual port 10gb adapter on Amazon for like $80.

  • WrongColorPaint@alien.topBEnglish
    1·
    1 year ago

    I’m going to sound like a complete jerk. I’ll probably get down-voted a ton too.

    Skip the 2.5GbE. Don’t waste your time.

  • rxVegan@alien.topBEnglish
    1·
    1 year ago

    There are plenty of cheap switches with dual 10G SFP+ and 2.5G ports. Personally I’m using QNAP QSW-2104-2S such that workstation and main server are connected with SFP+ and couple other devices to 2.5 ports. Best of both worlds if you asked me. There are cheaper solutions too and ServeTheHome did good comparison on their youtube channel.