StarTech PR22GIP-NETWORK-CARD 2-Port 2.5GbE PoE+ PCIe Network Card

Overview

The StarTech PR22GIP-NETWORK-CARD is a dual-port 2.5Gbps NBase-T network card with integrated IEEE 802.3af/at PoE+ output — a single PCIe 2.0 add-in card that gives a server or workstation two independent 2.5Gbps RJ45 ports capable of powering connected devices at up to 25.5W per port. For integrators deploying high-resolution IP cameras, PoE access control readers, or VoIP endpoints off an edge server, this card eliminates the need for a separate PoE injector or managed switch at locations where rack space or budget for a discrete switch doesn't exist. Each port is driven by the Intel I225-V controller — a chipset with mature driver support across Windows and Linux platforms, which matters when you're commissioning a server-based NVR or video analytics appliance and need NICs that don't require custom driver management.

Explore the full StarTech networking and infrastructure catalog for compatible adapters, cables, and server accessories.

Key Features

• Dual Intel I225-V Controllers at 2.5Gbps: Each port operates independently at up to 2.5Gbps — 2.5x the throughput of standard Gigabit. On a multi-camera NVR ingesting continuous H.265 streams from a dozen 4K cameras, that headroom keeps aggregate bandwidth from becoming the bottleneck. The I225-V also has broad OS driver coverage, reducing commissioning friction on Linux-based VMS appliances.
• IEEE 802.3af/at PoE+ at 25.5W Per Port: Both ports deliver 48V DC PoE+ output at up to 25.5W each — enough to power 802.3at Class 4 devices such as PTZ cameras, multi-sensor cameras, or access control panels without a separate injector. Power is drawn directly from the PCIe bus, so no external power connector is required, simplifying installation in space-constrained rackmount servers.
• Bus-Powered Design — No Auxiliary Power Required: The card draws all operating and PoE power from the PCIe slot. This keeps cabling clean inside a server chassis, but it also means you need to verify your host system's PCIe slot power budget before deploying at full 25.5W per port load. Plan your host accordingly if both ports are running Class 4 devices simultaneously.
• 9K Jumbo Frame Support: Jumbo frames up to 9,000 bytes reduce CPU overhead per unit of transferred data — relevant on NVR appliances handling high-bitrate streams from multiple cameras simultaneously. Enabling jumbo frames on both the card and connected switch infrastructure will extract the most benefit; mismatched MTU settings will fragment frames and actually hurt performance.
• PCIe 2.0 Standard-Profile Form Factor: The card installs in any standard PCIe x1 or wider slot (PCIe 2.0 or later), which covers virtually all current server and workstation platforms. At 7.1 in × 4.8 in × 0.8 in and 3.9 oz, the standard-profile bracket fits full-height slots in tower servers and 1U/2U rackmount chassis alike.
• Operating Temperature 0°C to 55°C: Rated for the full commercial temperature envelope — appropriate for server rooms, wiring closets, and conditioned equipment cabinets. Not rated for uncontrolled outdoor enclosures; if your edge compute node lives in a non-climate-controlled space approaching or exceeding 55°C, factor in case airflow.
• 5%–90% RH Humidity Tolerance: Covers standard data center and server room humidity ranges. No special considerations for typical indoor IT environments.

Integration and Compatibility

The PR22GIP-NETWORK-CARD (often searched as PR22GIP NETWORK CARD) targets server and workstation platforms running Windows or Linux-based network video recorders, video analytics appliances, or edge compute nodes that need PoE output without a dedicated switch in the rack. The Intel I225-V chipset's driver maturity means it integrates cleanly with most enterprise OS images without additional kernel modules on current Linux distributions. Verify NBase-T (2.5GbE) support on your network switch or end-device NICs — if the connected camera or reader only supports 1GbE, the port will negotiate down to 1Gbps automatically, and PoE delivery is unaffected by link speed negotiation. For deployments involving large numbers of PoE endpoints, a managed PoE switch connected to this card's uplink remains the more scalable path; this card is the right answer when you need two direct-attached powered ports off a server, not a distribution layer. If you're planning a full camera network layout, the PoE network planning guide covers switch budget, cable run limits, and NBase-T compatibility considerations worth reviewing before finalizing topology.

Frequently Asked Questions

Q: Does the PR22GIP-NETWORK-CARD require an external power connector for PoE output?

A: No. The card is entirely bus-powered — it draws all operating power and PoE delivery power directly from the PCIe slot. No SATA or Molex power connector is needed, which simplifies installation inside server chassis.

Q: Can both ports deliver 25.5W PoE+ simultaneously?

A: Each port is rated for up to 25.5W at 48V DC (IEEE 802.3at). Running both ports at full Class 4 load simultaneously means the PCIe slot must supply the combined power draw. Confirm your host motherboard's PCIe slot power specification before deploying two high-draw PoE devices at the same time.

Q: What PCIe slot does the PR22GIP-NETWORK-CARD require?

A: The card uses PCIe 2.0 and installs in any standard PCIe x1 or wider slot on current server and workstation platforms. The standard-profile bracket is appropriate for full-height slots; confirm your chassis accepts standard-profile cards before ordering.

Q: Will this card work with Gigabit-only switches or cameras?

A: Yes. NBase-T is backward-compatible — the port will auto-negotiate to 1Gbps if the connected device or switch only supports 1GbE. PoE delivery continues normally at any negotiated link speed.

Q: What is the warranty on the PR22GIP-NETWORK-CARD?

A: StarTech provides a 2-year manufacturer warranty on this product.

Q: Does the PR22GIP-NETWORK-CARD support jumbo frames?

A: Yes, up to 9,000-byte jumbo frames are supported. To benefit from reduced CPU overhead on high-bitrate workloads, jumbo frames must be enabled consistently across the card, the connected switch infrastructure, and any end devices — mixed MTU environments will cause frame fragmentation.

Ted Perry

The PR22GIP-NETWORK-CARD earns its place in server-based surveillance builds specifically because of that 25.5W-per-port PoE+ output at 48V DC — that's full IEEE 802.3at Class 4 delivery on both ports directly off the PCIe bus, with no injector hardware between the server and the camera. I've seen integrators burn budget and rack space on a small managed switch just to get two powered camera ports off an NVR appliance; this card handles that cleanly.

Technical Highlights:

• Intel I225-V Chipset: Mature Linux and Windows driver support means no custom kernel modules during OS provisioning — a real time-saver when imaging server appliances at scale.
• 2.5Gbps NBase-T per Port: Each independent port gives you 2.5x the bandwidth of standard Gigabit, providing meaningful headroom for multi-stream 4K or high-bitrate H.265 camera feeds without link saturation.
• 9K Jumbo Frame Support: Reduces per-packet CPU overhead on the host — valuable on NVR appliances where the processor is already handling decode and analytics workloads alongside network I/O.

Deployment Considerations:

• Bus-powered design means both ports' PoE draw comes from the PCIe slot — before commissioning two Class 4 cameras simultaneously, verify the host board's PCIe power delivery spec. Most modern server boards handle this, but budget workstations with thin PCIe power rails may not sustain 51W combined PoE output.
• The card is rated to 55°C operating temperature — appropriate for conditioned server rooms and wiring closets, but confirm ambient temperature in edge compute enclosures before deploying in uncooled cabinets.

This card fits best in server-based NVR or edge analytics builds where you need two direct-attached 2.5GbE PoE+ ports off the appliance itself — a compact surveillance closet with two high-resolution cameras wired directly to the recording server, keeping the topology clean and the switch count at zero.