NHI350AM4 Guide: Intel's Halogen-Free Quad-Port Gigabit Controller

In the realm of enterprise servers and high-density industrial computing, the Intel® Ethernet Controller I350 family has long been the gold standard for Gigabit connectivity. However, as global environmental regulations tighten, the demand for "Green" electronics has surged.

Enter the NHI350AM4.

This component is the Halogen-Free variant of the legendary I350-AM4. It delivers the same robust quad-port performance, advanced virtualization features (SR-IOV), and power efficiency, but in a package that meets stringent eco-friendly manufacturing standards. This guide dives into the specs, the "NH" distinction, and why this chip remains a top choice for modern network designs.

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Table of Contents

• NHI350AM4 Datasheet & Technical Specifications
  • Key Specifications Table
  • Decoding the Part Number: What "NH" Means
  • Price Analysis & Stock Availability
• Virtualization & Performance Features
  • Implementing SR-IOV and VMDq for VMs
  • Energy Efficient Ethernet (EEE)
• Hardware Design & BGA-256 Package
  • PCIe Interface & Lane Configuration
  • Thermal Design for Quad-Port Operation
• Driver Support & Firmware
• Conclusion

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NHI350AM4 Datasheet & Technical Specifications

The NHI350AM4 is a single-chip, quad-port Gigabit Ethernet controller that connects to the system via a PCI Express v2.1 (5.0 GT/s) interface.

Key Specifications Table

Feature	Specification
Port Count	4 Ports (Quad)
Data Rate	10/100/1000 Mbps
Interface	PCIe v2.1 x4 (5.0 GT/s)
Virtualization	SR-IOV, VMDq, Intel® VT-c
Power Mgmt	EEE, DMA Coalescing
Package	17mm x 17mm BGA-256
Ordering Code	NHI350AM4 (S-Spec: SLJ3Z, SLJ2Z)

Decoding the Part Number: What "NH" Means

Engineers often ask: Is NHI350AM4 different from I350-AM4?

• I350-AM4: The standard silicon part number.
• NH: Stands for "Halogen-Free" (or Non-Halogen).
• SLJ3Z / SLJ2Z: These S-Spec codes specifically identify the halogen-free production units. Functionally, the silicon is identical. You can use the same drivers, firmware, and circuit design. The difference lies in the packaging materials, making the NHI350AM4 compliant with stricter environmental standards (like IEC 61249-2-21) often required for EU markets.

Price Analysis & Stock Availability

The NHI350AM4 is a premium component due to its quad-port density and virtualization capabilities.

Note: Sourcing genuine Intel network silicon is critical to avoiding fake chips that fail under load. [Check Stock for NHI350AM4 at Aichiplink] to view inventory from verified global distributors.

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Virtualization & Performance Features

The I350 family, including the NHI350AM4, was built with virtualization in mind.

Implementing SR-IOV and VMDq for VMs

The chip supports Single-Root I/O Virtualization (SR-IOV).

• Mechanism: It allows the physical PCIe device to present itself as multiple "Virtual Functions" (VFs).
• Benefit: A virtual machine (VM) can directly access a VF without passing through the host OS's software switch (Hypervisor), significantly reducing CPU overhead and latency.
• VMDq: Virtual Machine Device Queues allow the sorting of data packets to the correct VM in hardware, further offloading the CPU.

Energy Efficient Ethernet (EEE)

For data centers where every watt counts, the NHI350AM4 supports IEEE 802.3az (EEE). It can transition to a low-power idle state during gaps in data transmission, reducing power consumption by up to 50% during periods of low network activity.

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Hardware Design & BGA-256 Package

Integrating a quad-port controller requires careful PCB layout.

PCIe Interface & Lane Configuration

The NHI350AM4 uses a PCIe v2.1 x4 interface.

• Bandwidth: The x4 width ensures that all four Gigabit ports can operate at full bi-directional wire speed without the PCIe bus becoming a bottleneck.
• Bifurcation: It typically does not require bifurcation support from the host; it appears as a single PCIe endpoint with multiple functions (ports).

Thermal Design for Quad-Port Operation

Driving four Gigabit PHYs generates heat (approx. 4W TDP).

• Heatsink: A passive heatsink is usually mandatory. The 17x17mm BGA package should be coupled with a thermal interface material (TIM) to a finned aluminum sink.
• Airflow: Ensure typical server airflow (LFM) passes over the controller, especially in dense blade server designs.

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Driver Support & Firmware

The NHI350AM4 benefits from Intel's mature driver ecosystem.

Windows Server & Linux Kernel Support

• Linux: The device uses the industry-standard igb driver. This module is included in virtually every Linux distribution kernel (RHEL, Ubuntu, Debian), ensuring plug-and-play compatibility.
• Windows: Intel provides the PROSet driver package, which includes advanced configuration tools for VLAN tagging, Teaming, and running cable diagnostics.
• Firmware: The chip requires an external Flash (EEPROM) to store its configuration (MAC addresses, Device IDs). This must be programmed correctly during manufacturing using Intel's EEUPDATE or LANConf tools.

Conclusion

The Intel NHI350AM4 represents the intersection of high performance and environmental responsibility. By choosing this halogen-free, quad-port controller, engineers can build robust, virtualization-ready systems that comply with global green standards without sacrificing a single packet of performance.

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