Allied Telesis AT-27M2/SC-AE-901 M.2 100FX SC Fast Ethernet Fiber Adapter TAA

Product Overview

The Allied Telesis AT-27M2/SC-AE-901 is a TAA Federal compliant 100Base-FX Fast Ethernet fiber adapter in the M.2 form factor, fitted with an SC duplex fiber connector. Unlike conventional PCIe x1 or PCIe x4 fiber NICs, this adapter uses the M.2 interface — making it one of the few fiber network cards available for compact, embedded, and industrial systems that include M.2 slots but lack full-height PCIe expansion. The card supports PXE network boot and UEFI firmware, enabling diskless and pre-OS provisioning scenarios. TAA (Trade Agreements Act) compliance confirms eligibility for GSA Schedule and federal government procurement.

Product Description

The Allied Telesis AT-27M2/SC-AE-901 delivers 100Base-FX Fast Ethernet connectivity over multimode fiber using an SC duplex connector, housed in the compact M.2 card form factor. Most fiber NICs on the market require a PCIe x1 or larger slot, which makes this M.2 form factor adapter an uncommon and valuable option for modern compact platforms — including small form factor workstations, embedded controllers, industrial PCs, and certain thin clients that include M.2 expansion slots. The SC connector is one of the most widely deployed fiber connector types in enterprise and government campus infrastructure, so this card integrates cleanly into existing SC-terminated 100Mbps fiber cable plants without any cabling changes. PXE boot capability allows administrators to network-provision or boot hosts over the fiber link without local storage, simplifying deployment of diskless systems. Full UEFI support ensures compatibility with secure-boot environments and modern firmware stacks. TAA compliance means the product meets Federal Acquisition Regulation (FAR) requirements, qualifying it for GSA Schedule purchases and other federal procurement vehicles — ideal for government IT programs. Available from Creation Networks at creationnetworks.net.

Key Features

• M.2 Form Factor — Fits M.2 expansion slots in compact, embedded, and industrial PCs where full-size PCIe slots are absent.
• 100Base-FX with SC Connector — 100Mbps Fast Ethernet over multimode fiber via the industry-standard SC duplex connector.
• PXE Network Boot — Supports Pre-boot Execution Environment for diskless and network-provisioned host deployments.
• UEFI Compatible — Works with modern UEFI firmware for secure-boot and pre-OS network access.
• TAA Federal Compliant — Meets Trade Agreements Act requirements; eligible for GSA Schedule and federal government procurement.
• Connects to Existing SC Infrastructure — Integrates M.2 host platforms directly into existing 100Base-FX SC fiber cable plants.

Typical Applications

• Adding 100Base-FX SC fiber connectivity to compact or embedded PCs with M.2 slots
• Federal and government agency deployments requiring TAA-compliant network adapters on GSA Schedule
• Diskless workstation and thin-client environments requiring PXE boot over fiber
• Industrial and rugged computing platforms with M.2 expansion but no PCIe slots
• Connecting modern compact hosts to existing SC-terminated 100Mbps fiber campus infrastructure

Technical Specifications

Frequently Asked Questions

Q: What makes the M.2 form factor significant for a fiber NIC?

Most fiber network adapters require PCIe x1 or larger slots. The M.2 form factor is rare for fiber NICs, making this card one of very few options for compact embedded PCs, industrial controllers, and small form factor systems that have only M.2 expansion slots.

Q: What M.2 key type does this adapter use?

Consult the Allied Telesis datasheet for the exact M.2 key specification (A, E, or B+M) to confirm slot compatibility with your specific system before purchasing.

Q: Does this card support multimode or single-mode fiber?

The 100Base-FX standard is defined for multimode fiber. Verify fiber type compatibility with the Allied Telesis datasheet for your specific cable plant.

Q: Is TAA compliance required for my purchase?

TAA compliance is required for products purchased under GSA Schedule contracts and most federal procurement vehicles. Commercial buyers can purchase without restriction — the TAA designation simply confirms federal eligibility.

Q: Can this card PXE boot in a UEFI-only firmware environment?

Yes. The AT-27M2/SC-AE-901 supports both PXE and UEFI, enabling network boot on systems configured for UEFI without requiring legacy BIOS compatibility mode.