Cervoz MEC-LAN-2631i is a tiny, industrial-grade M.2 2230 (A+E key) PCIe Ethernet expansion card adding 2.5GbE networking to any system with a spare M.2 socket with a PCIe x1 interface.
The card could be useful in case you want to add an extra 2.5GbE port, or for a system that lacks wired networking. It’s based on the Intel I226-IT 2.5Gbps Ethernet controller and can operate in the -40°C to 85°C temperature range as an industrial-grade module.
Cervoz MEC-LAN-2631i specifications:
- Host interface – M.2 edge connector with PCIe 2.1 x1 up to 5.0/2.5GT/s
- Network – 10/100/1000/2500Mbps isolated interface based on an Intel I226-IT controller with an RJ45 port on a separate module
- Power Consumption – 350mA @ 3.3V
- Safety – Surge protection up to 2kV
- Dimensions – 30 x 22 mm; M.2 2230 (A+E key) form factor
- Temperature Range – Operating: -40°C to 85°C; storage: -40°C to 125°C
- Mounting – Cervoz’s MECFIX mounting mechanism designed for MEC daughterboards and compatible with
- Standard PCI/PCIe bracket
- Low-profile PCI/PCIe bracket
- Internal mounting inside of the system from any position and angle.
- Customized front/rear plate of the system following the dimensions of the MEC daughterboard.
The company provides drivers for Windows 10 and Windows 11, but I don’t see why it would not work in Linux since the Intel I226 is already well-supported. As can be seen from the photo above, it’s not the first M.2 module from the company which has released several M.2 2280 cards with up to two Intel i210 (GbE) or i226 (2.5GbE) controllers.
After doing some research, I noticed a consumer-grade M.2 2230 A+E key 2.5GbE module based on a RealTek RTL8125 PCIe chip and sold for $19.99 on Amazon, and there are a few RTL8125BG-based modules on Aliexpress for about $10 and Intel i225-based for $12 and up. Cervoz did not provide pricing information for the industrial-grade MEC-LAN-2631i M.2 2.5Gbps Ethernet PCIe card but highlighted a 3-year warranty for the module. Further details may be found on the product page and in the press release.
Thanks to TLS for the tip.
Jean-Luc started CNX Software in 2010 as a part-time endeavor, before quitting his job as a software engineering manager, and starting to write daily news, and reviews full time later in 2011.
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There are i226 based mini pcie modules on Aliexpress too (if you can battle through their shocking search engine).
I have one for my Wyse 5070, paid $23 at the time.
I have an excellent use case for one of these, but can’t find it for sale anywhere.
If you specifically need the Cervoz industrial module as opposed to consumer-grade ones, you probably need to contact the company directly.
For those interested, I bought this: https://www.aliexpress.com/item/1005007031803416.html It’s an M.2 key A+E board that features a vertical M.2 connector for any B+M card. I’ve installed it in my Rock 5 ITX, allowing me to connect a 2242 NVME SSD. But it will equally support a random NIC or any other small device that doesn’t need much more than a single Gen2 lane. Similarly I’m having a comparable adapter offering a PCIe x1 open slot, though I don’t have any immediate use for it. These devices are around $10 and may sometimes offer a wider choice of extensions than having to… Read more »
Thanks for sharing 😁. I’ve bought something similar from iocrest M2 to dual SATA adapter…those M2 slots are quite versatile
Thanks mate, very helpful.