QNAP Dual-Port 2.5GbE PCIe Network Expansion Card

This works with pfSense v 2.6.0 and solved all of my issues. I was using a 10GB fiber card, which I thought was working fine until my ISP raised my upload speed. I was getting 1.4 Gbps down and 35 Mbps up, but was increased to 1.4 Gbps down and 240 Mbps up. The issue had to do with data coming in to PfSense from my 10GB switch and queuing; I never had an issue getting all of my download speed, and I was getting all of my 35 Mbps up. After the upgrade, my upload speed didn't increase, and actually went down a bit. Research led me to getting a 2.5 Gbps card for my pfSense router, and this card indeed solved by issue. Didn't need to do anything with drivers as of pfSense 2.6+, though as I understand it, drivers for the intel i225 chipset are an issue prior to 2.6.0. I have my WAN port connected to my Xfinity XB8 modem on the sole 2.5Gb port. The LAN interface is connected to my Mikrotik CRS-305 10Gb switch. Finding the right transceiver was an issue. The first 2 transceivers, one being a 10Gb RJ45 and the other being a 2.5Gb RJ45, did not work. I ultimately had success with the MikroTik S+RJ10 transceiver, which auto-negotiated at 2.5Gb immediately when connected to this Qnap card. Hopefully if anyone else is looking to do a similar setup with a Mikrotik switch to get a 10Gb LAN with a lesser multi-gig ISP, my review is helpful.

The controller chips I received were the SLNNJ spec, which according to Intel's website for I225-LM ordering are the B3 stepping that fixes some major issues in previous revisions. The card also works with pfsense 2.6 and ESXi-7.0U2d and getting the full 2500Mbps speed. I also tested with PCI passthrough in ESXI and had no problems, the VM had full access to the network card.

Bought this for use in a PC running PfSense. No additional drivers needed, I just dropped it in and it worked.

Bought this to replace a NIC in my pfSense box. Plugged it in, recognized immediately, been working great for a few weeks now.