HPE Broadcom NIC cards: do you need Broadcom or HPE transceivers?
If you've ever opened the spec sheet for an HPE ProLiant server and looked at the network adapter, you probably noticed something: it says "Broadcom" right there in the chipset name. The HPE Ethernet 10Gb 2-port 562SFP+ adapter? That's an Intel X710. The HPE Ethernet 1Gb 4-port BASE-T adapter (P51178-B21)? That's a Broadcom BCM5719. The 10/25Gb 631SFP28? Broadcom BCM57414.
So if the silicon inside is Broadcom's, do you need a Broadcom-coded or HPE-coded transceiver? And does it matter that the server is HPE?
Short answer: it's the chipset that matters, not the server brand.
HPE doesn't make NICs
HPE builds servers and networking gear. They don't design semiconductors. Every NIC in an HPE ProLiant server uses third-party silicon from one of three vendors:
- •Broadcom (BCM5719, BCM57412, BCM57414, BCM57416) — the most common, covering 1GbE through 25GbE
- •NVIDIA/Mellanox (ConnectX-5, 6, 7 series) — used for 25GbE+ and RDMA/InfiniBand
- •Intel (X710, 82599, I350) — legacy, since Intel exited the discrete NIC market
What HPE adds on top:
- •Custom firmware validated against their server platform (iLO integration, UEFI boot, SPP updates)
- •HPE part numbers and SKUs for supply chain tracking
- •Qualification testing against specific ProLiant generations
- •Support entitlement — HPE TAC will cover the adapter under your server warranty
The NIC hardware itself — the ASIC, the PHY, the PCB layout — is Broadcom's design. HPE doesn't redesign the chip.
Buying transceivers? Check the NIC chipset first
This is where people get tripped up. The NIC matters more than the server model, because the chipset — not the HPE logo on the chassis — determines what transceiver EEPROM coding you need.
The rule:
- •Broadcom NIC → Broadcom / Brocade coded transceiver
- •Mellanox NIC → Mellanox coded transceiver
- •Intel NIC → Intel coded transceiver
Get the coding wrong and the transceiver won't be recognized, even if the optics inside are physically identical.
How to identify your NIC
HPE actually makes this easy. They name every adapter by its underlying chipset in the QuickSpecs:
- •"Broadcom BCM57414 Ethernet 10/25Gb 2-port SFP28 Adapter for HPE"
- •"Mellanox MCX631102AS-ADAT Ethernet 10/25Gb 2-port SFP28 Adapter for HPE"
- •"Intel E810-XXVDA2 Ethernet 10/25Gb 2-port SFP28 Adapter for HPE"
The HPE part number (e.g., P26262-B21) is unique to HPE's ordering system, but the chipset inside is the same silicon used in Dell, Lenovo, and other vendors' servers. A Broadcom BCM57414 in an HPE DL380 has the same transceiver requirements as a BCM57414 in a Dell R750. Same chip, same requirements.
Summary
The server brand doesn't determine transceiver compatibility. The NIC chipset does. Figure out whether your HPE server has a Broadcom, Mellanox, or Intel NIC, then order transceivers with matching EEPROM coding. If you have questions about transceiver compatibility for your setup, contact us.
FAQ:
Do I need HPE-branded transceivers for my HPE ProLiant server?
No. Transceiver compatibility is determined by the NIC chipset inside the server, not the HPE brand. If your server has a Broadcom NIC, you need a Broadcom-coded transceiver — regardless of the HPE part number on the adapter.
How do I find out which NIC chipset is in my HPE server?
Check the HPE QuickSpecs for your server model. HPE lists the chipset manufacturer directly in the adapter name — for example, "Broadcom BCM57414 Ethernet 10/25Gb 2-port SFP28 Adapter for HPE." The chipset name is right there.
What happens if I use the wrong transceiver coding?
The transceiver likely won't be recognized by the NIC, even if the optics are physically identical. The NIC checks the EEPROM coding on the transceiver module, and a mismatch will cause it to reject the module.
Is a Broadcom BCM57414 in an HPE server different from one in a Dell server?
No. The silicon is the same. A BCM57414 in an HPE DL380 has the same transceiver requirements as a BCM57414 in a Dell R750. The server brand doesn't change what the chip needs.
Which NIC vendor is most common in HPE ProLiant servers?
Broadcom. Their chipsets (BCM5719, BCM57412, BCM57414, BCM57416) cover the majority of HPE's 1GbE through 25GbE adapters. Mellanox is used for higher-performance and RDMA workloads, while Intel NICs are increasingly legacy.
Can I use generic or unbranded transceivers in an HPE server?
It depends on the NIC. The transceiver needs the correct EEPROM coding to match the chipset vendor — Broadcom, Mellanox, or Intel. A generic module without the right coding may not be recognized.