In bringing 10 GbE down from the data center to small businesses and end-users, affordable LOM options are a must. The X540 comes in a 12.5W maximum power implementation, with two ports, in a 25 x 25 mm package. The controller supports both FCoE as well as iSCSI straight from the motherboard, and it’s backward compatible with existing 1 GbE infrastructure. Intel launched the X540 LOM with Dell, but expect growing adoption by others, along with competing chips from Broadcom and the like, in the months to come.