NVIDIA BlueField-3 P B3220 200Gigabit Ethernet Card

Discover next‑level networking performance with the NVIDIA BlueField-3 P B3220 200GbE PCIe 5.0 x16 smart NIC. Engineered to offload CPU-intensive tasks from the host server, this dual-port optical 200 Gbps Ethernet card blends cutting-edge data processing with ultra-low latency, robust security, and advanced telemetry. Designed for modern data centers, cloud environments, and HPC clusters, it delivers deterministic performance, accelerated data paths, and a clear path to scalable, software-defined infrastructure.

• Dual 200G Ethernet ports: Two QSFP112 high-speed ports deliver 200 Gbps of aggregate bandwidth, enabling dense, scalable network fabrics and future-proof capacity for bandwidth-hungry workloads.
• PCIe 5.0 x16 host interface: The latest PCIe Gen5 interface provides a wide, low-latency connection to the host CPU, supporting high-throughput data movement and efficient offloads for networking and security tasks.
• NVIDIA BlueField-3 DPU architecture: Built-in data processing unit accelerates security, virtualization, and network services at the hardware level, reducing CPU overhead and enabling faster application performance with predictable latency.
• Optical fiber connectivity with QSFP112: Optical transmission supports long-reach, low-error networking essential for data center interconnects, multi‑rack deployments, and high-density server racks.
• FHHL bracket height for broad compatibility: Flexible insertion in standard and compact server configurations, offering easy integration into existing chassis and rack layouts.

Technical Details of NVIDIA BlueField-3 P B3220 200Gigabit Ethernet Card

• Product family: NVIDIA BlueField-3
• Form factor: PCI Express 5.0 x16
• Ports: 2 x QSFP112, each supporting 200GbE
• Connectivity: Optical Fiber
• Bracket height: FHHL (Full Height, Half Height compatible)
• Card type: Plug-in PCIe network card with data processing capabilities
• Key benefits: hardware offloads for networking, security, and telemetry; reduced host CPU utilization; improved latency and throughput

How to Install NVIDIA BlueField-3 P B3220 200Gigabit Ethernet Card

• Power down the server and unplug all power sources; remove the chassis cover if required for access to PCIe slots.
• Identify an appropriate PCIe 5.0 x16 slot with enough clearance for the card and its connectors; ensure the slot is enabled in BIOS/UEFI if necessary.
• Insert the NVIDIA BlueField-3 P B3220 card firmly into the PCIe x16 slot until it is seated; use a retention screw to secure the card to the chassis.
• Attach the QSFP112 optical fiber cables to the two 200G ports, ensuring correct fiber type (single-mode or multi-mode as required) and proper polarity.
• Power on the server and let the system POST; verify that the card is detected in the operating system or hypervisor.
• Install the appropriate NVIDIA drivers and BlueField software stack, following vendor guidelines for NIC offloads, security features, and telemetry.
• Configure VF/SR-IOV or other virtualization features as needed for your virtual machines or containers, then validate network throughput and latency with representative workloads.
• Optionally update firmware and perform sanity checks on temperature, power usage, and cable health to ensure reliable operation in your data center environment.

Frequently asked questions

• What workloads benefit most from the NVIDIA BlueField-3 P B3220 card? High-throughput, low-latency networking workloads, security offloads (encryption, firewalling, and policy enforcement), virtualization with SR-IOV, and data-intensive applications that rely on fast, deterministic network paths.
• Does this card require drivers beyond standard NIC software? Yes. Install the NVIDIA BlueField software stack and drivers to enable hardware offloads, smart NIC features, and telemetry. Ensure firmware is up to date for optimal performance and security.
• Is the card compatible with my server chassis and operating system? The FHHL form factor is designed for broad compatibility in standard and compact server chassis; ensure your server supports PCIe 5.0 x16 and that your OS or hypervisor version supports the BlueField-3 DPU features.
• What type of fiber is recommended for the QSFP112 ports? Use the appropriate optical fiber type (single-mode or multi-mode) and the correct transceiver modules as specified by your deployment requirements and networking fabric.
• Can I use the card in a virtualized environment? Yes. The BlueField-3 DPU supports virtualization features such as SR-IOV, enabling secure, isolated network interfaces for virtual machines and containers while offloading network processing to the DPU.