Dell OptiPlex 7050 SFF

Specs

I purchased this Dell OptiPlex 7050 via Ebay for around $60.00. It is a small form factor (SFF) desktop, with additional PCIe expansion slots, which made it a suitable alternative to other dedicated hardware these days for firewall appliances. The desktop specs were as follows:

The small form factor version of this desktop came with:

The most important reason for selecting the SFF version was its capacity for PCIe expansion. Firewall appliances require 2 RJ45 ports, and these expansion slots allowed me to purchased a Network Interface Card (NIC) and install it on the motherboard. You can find more information about the NIC I purchased on the next page!

PCIe Expansion

As stated on the previous page, the SFF OptiPlex had the capacity to add an additional NIC to the motherboard. I purchased an Intel I350-T4 NIC, which is a quad port gigabit NIC. I purchased the card for around $40.00 off of Ebay, but it had a full server height bracket. Adapter brackets are available via Amazon for $7.00. Below you'll find the NIC after I attached the half-height bracket. 

Intel I350-T4 Network Interface Cardintel_nic1.jpg

** There are many people selling fake versions of this card. Check out this link below to learn how to tell the difference between an OEM NIC and a fake!