This Dell 03PCN3 delivers Network Adapters functionality and is built for 24/7 enterprise duty cycles. Technical specifications include capacity of 16 GB, interface of PCI Express. Workload fit covers VMware NSX overlay networking, Kubernetes pod-to-pod east-west bandwidth, Storage Replica replication, and high-throughput backup network paths between ToR switches and backup targets. Pro Disk Network sources the 03PCN3 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 03PCN3 is a Dell network adapters component with capacity 16 GB, interface PCI Express. Pro Disk Network sells the 03PCN3 for $630.54 with same-day US shipping and a 30-day return guarantee.
Quick Answer: Is the 03PCN3 compatible with my switch?
Pro Disk Network validates every 03PCN3 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 03PCN3 ship?
If in stock, the 03PCN3 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 03PCN3 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 03PCN3?
The 03PCN3 is a Dell enterprise networking device with capacity 16 GB and interface PCI Express, manufactured by Dell. 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 03PCN3
Pros
Matched-pair option for redundant link orders
Cabling and DAC/AOC labels clearly mark optic class
Cons
Third-party optic — some firmware revs require "service unsupported transceiver-type"
Bulk DAC orders may ship LTL on >100-pc reels
Confirm transceiver coding before mixing vendors in the same chassis
Frequently Asked Questions about 03PCN3
Is the 03PCN3 a genuine Dell part?
Yes. Pro Disk Network sources every 03PCN3 as factory-original Dell inventory. New units arrive sealed in OEM packaging; refurbished units are pulled from decommissioned Dell servers, surface-tested, and re-warranted by Pro Disk Network for 90 days.
Is the 03PCN3 compatible with my switch?
Pro Disk Network validates every 03PCN3 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 03PCN3 ship?
If in stock, the 03PCN3 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 03PCN3?
New 03PCN3 units carry the full Dell 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 03PCN3?
Email sales@prodisknetwork.com with the quantity and target ship date for a quote within one business day.
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 03PCN3 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 03PCN3 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 03PCN3 and the connected NICs support jumbo frames — some older NICs cap at 9000-byte payloads even when jumbo-enabled.