Configurable ports for a host Ethernet adapter

A network interface controller (NIC) comprising:

• an interface to a private bus;
• and
• an Ethernet adapter coupled to the interface;
• the ethernet adapter comprising a plurality of layers for allowing the adapter to receive and transmit packets from and to a processor;
• wherein the plurality of layers include a high speed serializer/deserializer (high speed serdes) for receiving data from and providing data to different speed data sources on the same pins.

A server comprising:

• a processor;
• the processor including a private bus;
• and
• a network interface controller (NIC) coupled to the private bus, the NIC including an Ethernet adapter;
• the Ethernet adapter comprising a plurality of layers for allowing the adapter to receive and transmit packets from and to the processor;
• wherein the plurality of layers include a high speed serializer/deserializer (high speed serdes) to receive data from and provide data to different speed data sources on the same pins.