Intel® Ethernet 600 Series

Linux Performance Tuning Guide
Ethernet Products Group (EPG)

ID Date Version Classification
861164 08/28/2026 Public
Document Table of Contents
Document Table of Contents
Notices and Disclaimers Revision History ​Introduction ​Initial Checklist ​Baseline Performance Measurements and Tuning Methodology Platform Tuning (ixgbe Non-Specific) Changing Link Speed Adapter Bonding Performance Troubleshooting
Notices and Disclaimers
Revision History
​Introduction
​Introduction ​Related References Compatibility Notes Known Issues
​Related References
Compatibility Notes
Known Issues
​Initial Checklist
Update Driver/Firmware Versions ​Read the README Check PCI Express (PCIe) Slot Width ​Check System Hardware Capabilities
Update Driver/Firmware Versions
​Read the README
Check PCI Express (PCIe) Slot Width
​Check System Hardware Capabilities
​Baseline Performance Measurements and Tuning Methodology
​Network Performance Benchmarks
​Network Performance Benchmarks
​Network Performance Benchmarks ​iPerf2 ​iPerf3 ​netperf
​iPerf2
​iPerf3
​netperf
Platform Tuning (ixgbe Non-Specific)
​Tuning Methodology ​BIOS Settings ​Firewalls
​Tuning Methodology
​BIOS Settings
​Firewalls
Changing Link Speed
Adapter Bonding
Adapter Bonding Configuration Using Network Configuration Files
Configuration Using Network Configuration Files
Performance Troubleshooting
​CPU Utilization ixgbe Counters ​Network Counters ​System Logs ​Intel PerfSpect Tool
​CPU Utilization
ixgbe Counters
​Network Counters
​System Logs
​Intel PerfSpect Tool

Check PCI Express (PCIe) Slot Width

Dual-port 600 Series devices require a PCIe 4.0 x4 interface, using 4 PCIe lanes. Quad-port 600 Series devices require a PCIe 4.0 x8 interface, which is bifurcated into groups of x4, using a total of 8 PCIe lanes.

The table below summarizes the required slot width, lane usage, and slot speed for 600 Series devices.

PCIe Requirements for 600 Series Devices

Device Type Slot Width Lane Usage Slot Speed (per lane) Notes
Dual-port 600 x4 4 lanes 16 GT/s Requires full x4 bandwidth at PCIe Gen 4 speed
Quad-port 600 x8 8 lanes 16 GT/s Bifurcated into 2 x4 groups at PCIe Gen 4 speed
Note: PCIe slot widths smaller than x4 for dual-port devices or x8 for quad-port devices are insufficient to sustain the required aggregate throughput, particularly under simultaneous bidirectional traffic across all ports.
​Check System Hardware Capabilities