OWC PCIE10GB User manual

10 G bE NETWORK CARD
Add up to 10Gb/s Ethernet Speed to Macs, PCs,
NAS solutions, and PCIe Expansion Chassis
USER GUIDE

TABLE OF CONTENTS
TABLE OF CONTENTS
INTRODUCTION
1.1 System Requirements ......................................................................................3
1.2 Package Contents............................................................................................3
1.3 About This Manual ...........................................................................................3
1.4 Overview ...........................................................................................................3
USAGE
2.1 Installation ........................................................................................................4
2.2 Usage Notes and Best Practices....................................................................5
SUPPORT RESOURCES
3.1 Troubleshooting ...............................................................................................6
3.2 Contacting Technical Support ........................................................................6

03
A B
OWC 10GbE Network Card
with full-height bracket
Low-prole bracket Quick start guide
1.1 SYSTEM REQUIREMENTS
Hardware:
- Any 2019 Mac Pro, PC, Thunderbolt PCIe Expansion Chassis,
or NAS solution with an available 4-Lane PCIe slot of Gen 2 or later.
Operating System:
- macOS 12.2.1 or later
- Windows 8.1 or later
- Linux 3.1 or later
Driver:
- Required for Windows and Linux.
1.2 PACKAGE CONTENTS
INTRODUCTION
INTRODUCTION
1.3 ABOUT THIS MANUAL
The images and descriptions may vary slightly between this manual and the unit shipped. Functions and
features may change depending on the firmware version. The latest product details and warranty information
can be found on the product web page. OWC’s Limited Warranty is not transferable and subject to limitations.
1.4 OVERVIEW
LED DESCRIPTION
ALink Speed LED
Indicates link speed:
Solid Green = 10G
Solid Amber = 5G, 2.5G, 1G, 100Mbps, 10 Mbps
BLink/Activity LED
Indicates network card activity:
Solid Green = Network port is connected
Flashing Green = Network port is active

04USAGE
2.1 INSTALLATION
IMPORTANT NOTE: Note: this card is susceptible to invisible damage if not protected during installation.
For proper grounding, we recommend using a grounding strap. Work in a clean, static-free area, and avoid
wearing clothing that retains static charges. Please visit this URL for more information:
go.owc.com/antistatic
1. Before installing the 10GbE Network Card into a computer,
properly shut down, unplug the power source, and disconnect
any attached devices from your host.
Before installing into a Thunderbolt PCIe expansion chassis,
properly unmount and disconnect any chained devices, then unplug
the power source.
2. Open the host so that the compatible PCIe slot is visible
and accessible. Unscrew and remove the slot cover if present.
Place the screw to the side as it will be used to secure the
installed 10GbE Network Card.
3. Determine if your host requires a low-prole bracket. If it does,
replace the pre-installed full-prole mounting bracket with the
included low-prole mounting bracket.
- Use a Phillips Head Screwdriver to remove
the bracket screws (2) from the Network Card.
- Remove the full-profile bracket.
- Line up the low-profile bracket with the bracket
holes on the back of the Network Card.
- Insert the bracket screws (2) that were removed
and carefully tighten to secure the bracket.
4. Align the PCIe connector on the 10GbE Network Card with
the compatible slot, then carefully seat the card into the slot
(highlighted). If there is resistance, do not force the card
into the slot. Remove it, re-align the card’s connector, and
try again.
5. Once the card is fully seated, affix the screw to the bracket as
shown. Notes: no special power connectors or other attachments
are required to use this card.
x8
x16
x1
x4
USAGE
OR

05USAGE
2.2 USAGE NOTES
- For speeds under 10Gb/s at distances up to 55m, a Cat 5e cable is sufcient. For all 10Gb/s connections,
and at distances greater than 55m, a high-quality Cat 6a or later cable is recommended.
- The cable type, i.e Cat5e, Cat 6a, is a silkscreen located physically on the cable. Inspecting the cable
will help you identify the cable type.
- 2.5GBASE-T and 5GBASE-T requires NBASE-T (IEEE 802.3bz) multi-Gigabit compatible switch/router.
- Use of AVB requires AVB compatible switch/router.
6. Download the appropriate driver if using the 10GbE Network Card
with Windows or Linux.
Windows
- Visit go.owc.com/10gethernetpciecard/drivers
- Download the driver
- Follow the on-screen instructions to finish installing
the driver
Linux
- Visit go.owc.com/10gethernetpciecard/drivers
- Download the driver
- Follow the Readme.txt which is in the driver folder
to finish installing the driver

06SUPPORT RESOURCES
3.1 TROUBLESHOOTING
- If the card is not being recognized by the host, please ensure the appropriate driver is downloaded
and installed.
- Ensure the network card is fully seated in your host. Remove and reinstalling the network card may resolve
any issues with the network card not showing in your system.
- Performance results will vary depending on the cable type and host port supported speeds. Consult your
host manufacturer for performance capabilities.
- OWC support is here to help you. Please have your serial number ready which can be located on the rear side
of your 10GbE Network Card and printed on the original packaging.
3.2 CONTACTING TECHNICAL SUPPORT
SUPPORT RESOURCES
Phone: M–F, 8am–6pm CT
1.866.692.7100 (N. America) | +1.815.338.4751 (Int’l)
Chat: M–F, 8am–6pm, Sat 9am–5pm CT
www.owc.com/support
Email: Answered within 48 hours
www.owc.com/support

CHANGES:
The material in this document is for information purposes only and subject to change without notice.
While reasonable efforts have been made in the preparation of this document to assure its accuracy, OWC,
its parent, partners, afliates, ofcers, employees, and agents assume no liability resulting from errors or
omissions in this document, or from the use of the information contained herein. OWC reserves the right
to make changes or revisions in the product design or the product manual without reservation and without
obligation to notify any person of such revisions and changes.
FCC STATEMENT:
Warning! Modications not authorized by the manufacturer may void the user’s authority to operate this
device. NOTE: This equipment has been tested and found to comply with the limits for a Class B digital
device, pursuant to Part 15 of the FCC Rules. These limits are designed to provide reasonable protection
against harmful interference in a residential installation. This equipment generates, uses and can radiate
radio frequency energy and, if not installed and used in accordance with the instructions, may cause harmful
interference to radio communications. However, there is no guarantee that interference will not occur in a
particular installation. If this equipment does cause harmful interference with radio or television reception,
which can be determined by turning the equipment off and on, the user is encouraged to try to correct the
interference by one or more of the following measures:
- Reorient or relocate the receiving antenna.
- Increase the separation between the equipment and receiver.
- Connect the equipment to an outlet on a circuit different
from that to which the receiver is connected.
WARRANTY:
The 10GbE Network Card has a 1 Year OWC Limited Warranty. For up-to-date product and warranty
information, please visit eshop.macsales.com/item/OWC/PCIE10GB/
COPYRIGHTS AND TRADEMARKS:
No part of this publication may be reproduced, stored in a retrieval system, or transmitted in any form
or by any means, electronic, mechanical, photocopying, recording or otherwise, without the prior written
consent of OWC.
© 2022 Other World Computing, Inc. All rights reserved. OWC and the OWC logo are trademarks of New
Concepts Development Corporation, registered in the U.S. and/or other countries. Mac and macOS are
trademarks of Apple Inc., registered in the U.S. and other countries. Thunderbolt is a trademark of
Intel Corporation or its subsidiaries in the U.S. and/or other countries. Other marks may be the trademark
or registered trademark property of their owners.
OWCMAN10GBENC – 05.10.2022