Apple part number 661-3172 identifies the 661-3172 - Apple Gigabit Ethernet PCI-X Card for Xserve G5, an enterprise-grade Network Adapters unit appropriate for data-center, server-room, and workstation deployment. Technical specifications include interface of PCI-X, generation of Gen5. Typical use cases include enterprise LAN core-distribution-access architecture, hyperconverged cluster east-west traffic, SAN fabric uplinks, and replacement of EOL/EOSL networking infrastructure under existing OEM warranty contracts. Pro Disk Network sources the 661-3172 through reputable distribution channels and applies a verification check against the OEM compatibility matrix before each unit is added to active inventory. Each unit ships from a US fulfillment hub (Hillsboro OR, Atlanta GA, or Phoenix AZ) with same-day dispatch on in-stock orders before 3pm ET. 90-day Pro Disk Network functional warranty included; free US ground shipping on orders over $150.
The 661-3172 is a Apple network adapters component with interface PCI-X, generation Gen5. Pro Disk Network sells the 661-3172 for $545.75 with same-day US shipping and a 30-day return guarantee.
Reviewed By
Reviewed by:Pro Disk Network Engineering Team — . Specifications, compatibility, and pricing for the 661-3172 are shown on this page.
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US-based LLC — 7345 W Sand Lake Rd, STE 210, Office 3208, Orlando, FL 32819
Same-Day US Shipping — orders before 3pm ET ship today via UPS
30-Day Returns — pre-paid label on DOA and defective items
Quick Answer: Is the 661-3172 compatible with my switch?
Pro Disk Network validates every 661-3172 against the target switch's published compatibility matrix before shipment. If you let us know your switch model and firmware version, we will confirm fitment and code the module appropriately (Cisco-coded, Juniper-coded, HPE-coded, etc.) at no extra charge.
How fast does the 661-3172 ship?
If in stock, the 661-3172 ships same business day on US orders placed before 3 pm ET. Most US ZIP codes receive next-business-day or 2-day delivery via FedEx/UPS Ground or Express. Bulk and project orders shipping in pallets are typically dispatched within 24-48 hours.
The 661-3172 is deployed by US enterprises, MSPs, government, and education customers across multiple infrastructure scenarios. Below are the most common deployment patterns Pro Disk Network sees in real-world orders.
Spine-Leaf Fabric — Top-of-rack 25G/100G aggregation between leaf and spine switches. Match speed and form factor across both endpoints.
Server Uplink — 10G/25G server-to-leaf uplink — pair with matching DAC or AOC at the host NIC to avoid optic mismatch.
DCI (Data Center Interconnect) — Inter-DC routing or aggregation. LR4/LR8 transceivers for 10–80 km, ER4 for 40 km, ZR4 for coherent long-haul.
Campus Distribution — Catalyst-class campus distribution between IDF and MDF closets. PoE+ where wireless APs and IP phones share infrastructure.
What is the 661-3172?
The 661-3172 is a Apple enterprise networking device with interface PCI-X and generation Gen5, manufactured by Apple. Pro Disk Network ships this part new and certified-refurbished from our US warehouse with same-day dispatch on orders placed before 3 PM ET, backed by a 30-day return guarantee.
Pros & Cons of 661-3172
Pros
Same-day US shipping cuts deployment downtime
Cons
Not for hyperscale ZR coherent — different SKU family
Some vendors deprecate firmware on EOL part numbers
Mismatched optic+switch firmware can require manual override
Frequently Asked Questions about 661-3172
Is the 661-3172 a genuine Apple part?
Yes. Pro Disk Network sources every 661-3172 as factory-original Apple inventory. New units arrive sealed in OEM packaging; refurbished units are pulled from decommissioned Apple servers, surface-tested, and re-warranted by Pro Disk Network for 90 days.
Is the 661-3172 compatible with my switch?
Pro Disk Network validates every 661-3172 against the target switch's published compatibility matrix before shipment. If you let us know your switch model and firmware version, we will confirm fitment and code the module appropriately (Cisco-coded, Juniper-coded, HPE-coded, etc.) at no extra charge.
How fast does the 661-3172 ship?
If in stock, the 661-3172 ships same business day on US orders placed before 3 pm ET. Most US ZIP codes receive next-business-day or 2-day delivery via FedEx/UPS Ground or Express. Bulk and project orders shipping in pallets are typically dispatched within 24-48 hours.
What is the warranty on the 661-3172?
New 661-3172 units carry the full Apple manufacturer warranty (typically 1 to 5 years depending on product line). Refurbished and bulk-OEM units include a Pro Disk Network advance-replacement warranty (90 days refurbished). DOA replacement is free within 30 days of receipt.
Do you offer bulk pricing for the 661-3172?
Email sales@prodisknetwork.com with the quantity and target ship date for a quote within one business day.
Other parts that share the 661 series prefix — useful when sourcing matched lots, hot-spare pools, or capacity-tier expansions.
661-3136 — 661-3136 - Apple 160GB 7200RPM SATA 1.5Gb/s 3.5-inch Hard Drive — $468.96
661-3143 — 661-3143 - Apple 1.8GHz CPU Processor for Power Mac G5 A1047 — $1,440.70
661-3148 — 661-3148 - Apple 250GB 7200RPM SATA 3Gb/s 3.5-inch Hard Drive — $722.14
661-3149 — 661-3149 - Apple 80GB 7200RPM SATA 3.5-inch Hard Drive with Carrier for Xserve A1068 — $431.42
661-3150 — 661-3150 - Apple 24X CD-ROM Drive for Xserve G5 — $230.55
661-3151 — 661-3151 - Apple 24X CD-RW / DVD Combo Drive for Xserve G5 — $374.89
661-3152 — 661-3152 - Apple 2.00GHz Processor with Heatsink for Xserve G5 — $597.24
661-3153 — 661-3153 - Apple Logic Board (Motherboard) for Xserve G5 A1068 — $1,734.01
661-3154 — 661-3154 - Apple 512MB DDR-400MHz PC3200 ECC Unbuffered CL3 184-Pin DIMM Memory Module for Xserve A1068 — $130.75
661-3155 — 661-3155 - Apple 400 Watts Power Supply for Xserve G5 — $480.21
661-3164 — 661-3164 - Apple 2.5GHz CPU Logic Board (Motherboard) for Power Mac G5 A1047 — $3,521.53
661-3170 — 661-3170 - Apple 256MB DDR-400MHz PC3200 ECC Unbuffered CL3 184-Pin DIMM Memory Module for Xserve A1068 — $124.87
Pro Disk Network Buyer’s Guide: Network Adapters
Optic Coding, Vendor Lock-In, and Multi-Vendor Compatibility
Networking optics — SFP, SFP+, QSFP+, QSFP28 — are physically interoperable across vendors but logically restricted by firmware coding. The 661-3172 is coded for a specific vendor family at our factory step before shipping, which preserves the OEM warranty workflow and allows the optic to be recognised without ‘service unsupported-transceiver’ CLI overrides. Mixing third-party optics with same-vendor optics in the same chassis is safe; mixing across vendor codings sometimes triggers warnings in the switch log.
Bandwidth Sizing for Spine-Leaf, EVPN-VXLAN, and Hyperconverged Storage
For EVPN-VXLAN overlays, the 661-3172 carries the underlay tunnels in addition to the workload traffic. Plan for VXLAN encapsulation overhead (50 bytes) plus MTU headroom; set the underlay MTU to 9216 (jumbo frames) and the overlay MTU to 9000. Make sure both the 661-3172 and the connected NICs support jumbo frames — some older NICs cap at 9000-byte payloads even when jumbo-enabled.