Allied Telesis AT-29M2/SP-BA-901 TAA FEDERAL 100/1000 SFP M.2 GIGABIT FIBRADAPT CARD NICPXEUEFI

Product Overview

The Allied Telesis AT-29M2/SP-BA-901 is a TAA-compliant Allied Telesis dual-port gigabit PCIe NIC with SFP slot in M.2 form factor, providing flexible 1000Base-X fiber server connectivity where the optic type must be field-selectable. The defining advantage of the /SP-BA-901 over the fixed-connector /LC-AF variant is the SFP (mini-GBIC) slot: network engineers can install the appropriate Allied Telesis SFP — multimode, single-mode, BiDi, or any 1G-compatible optic — to match the site fiber infrastructure without changing the NIC hardware. The /BA-901 suffix designates a specific TAA-compliant bundle/assortment configuration. With PXE boot and UEFI firmware support (as indicated in the Shopify title), this card is also suitable for server provisioning and bare-metal deployment workflows in government and enterprise data centers.

Product Description

The Allied Telesis AT-29M2/SP-BA-901 brings SFP-based 1 GbE fiber connectivity to servers and workstations via the M.2 host interface, combining the compact footprint of an M.2 card with the optic flexibility of an SFP slot. Unlike fixed-connector NICs, the SFP design allows the same card to serve multimode, single-mode, or BiDi fiber environments by simply swapping the installed transceiver — making it the preferred choice for organizations with mixed fiber infrastructure or those planning future fiber plant changes. The 1000Base-X designation covers the full range of 1G SFP-compatible standards, including 1000Base-SX (850 nm MMF), 1000Base-LX (1310 nm SMF up to 10 km), and BiDi variants that operate over a single fiber strand. This eliminates the need to stock multiple NIC SKUs for different fiber types. PXE (Preboot Execution Environment) support enables network-based server provisioning and OS deployment — a critical feature for IT operations teams managing large server fleets without local storage bootable media. UEFI firmware compatibility ensures the card works with modern server platforms that have transitioned from legacy BIOS. TAA compliance (/BA-901 Federal configuration) satisfies US Government Trade Agreements Act requirements for domestic-origin products. The M.2 host interface delivers direct bus-level connectivity with low latency, appropriate for latency-sensitive server applications. This card is the SFP-based counterpart to the AT-29M2/LC-AF (fixed LC connector), and the right selection when fiber optic type flexibility is more important than the cost savings of a fixed-connector design.

Key Features

• SFP Slot (1000Base-X) — Accepts any compatible Allied Telesis 1G SFP: 1000Base-SX (MMF), 1000Base-LX (SMF up to 10 km), BiDi, or other 1G variants; one NIC serves all fiber types.
• M.2 Host Interface — Compact form factor; ideal for space-constrained servers and embedded platforms with limited PCIe slot availability.
• PXE Boot Support — Enables network-based server provisioning and OS deployment over fiber without local bootable media.
• UEFI Firmware Compatible — Supports modern server platforms that require UEFI-compliant expansion cards.
• TAA Compliant (/BA-901 Federal Configuration) — Meets Trade Agreements Act requirements for US federal, DoD, and government procurement.
• 1 GbE Full-Duplex Throughput — Up to 1000 Mbps (125 MB/s) data transfer rate over optical fiber.
• Optical Fiber Only — No copper RJ-45; purpose-built for fiber-only server environments.

Typical Applications

• US federal, DoD, and government data center server builds requiring TAA-compliant fiber NICs with SFP flexibility
• Enterprise data centers with mixed MMF and SMF fiber infrastructure where a single NIC SKU must serve multiple fiber types
• Server provisioning environments requiring PXE boot over fiber for OS deployment and bare-metal configuration
• UEFI-based server platforms requiring modern firmware-compatible 1G fiber NICs
• Space-constrained server and appliance platforms with M.2 slots but limited PCIe slot count
• Organizations wanting field-replaceable optics for future fiber plant changes without NIC hardware replacement

Technical Specifications

Frequently Asked Questions

Q: What is the difference between the AT-29M2/SP-BA-901 and the AT-29M2/LC-AF?

Both are M.2 1 GbE fiber NICs. The /SP-BA-901 uses an SFP slot — allowing you to install any supported Allied Telesis 1G SFP (multimode SX, single-mode LX, BiDi) to match your fiber plant. The /LC-AF uses a fixed LC duplex connector pre-configured for 1000Base-SX multimode fiber only. Choose /SP-BA-901 when optic flexibility is needed; choose /LC-AF when the fiber type is fixed and cost simplicity is preferred.

Q: Does the AT-29M2/SP-BA-901 support PXE network booting?

Yes. This card supports PXE (Preboot Execution Environment) for network-based OS installation and provisioning workflows over fiber. This makes it suitable for data center server lifecycle management and bare-metal deployment automation.

Q: What SFPs are compatible with the AT-29M2/SP-BA-901?

The SFP slot accepts Allied Telesis 1G SFPs. Compatible options include 1000Base-SX (850 nm multimode, up to 550 m), 1000Base-LX (1310 nm single-mode, up to 10 km), and BiDi single-strand SFPs. Allied Telesis-branded SFPs are required for full compatibility and warranty coverage; the SFP is not included with the NIC.

Q: Is the AT-29M2/SP-BA-901 TAA compliant for government procurement?

Yes. The /BA-901 configuration is TAA (Trade Agreements Act) compliant, qualifying it for US federal government, DoD, and agency purchases. Contact Creation Networks for government pricing, contract vehicle support, and procurement assistance.

Q: Does this NIC require a full PCIe slot?

No. The AT-29M2/SP-BA-901 uses the M.2 form factor and requires an M.2 expansion slot. It does not occupy a standard PCIe x1, x4, or x8 slot. If your server lacks an available M.2 slot, an M.2-to-PCIe adapter carrier may be used.

Q: Can I use single-mode fiber with this NIC?

Yes — this is a key advantage of the SFP design. Install a 1000Base-LX SFP (1310 nm, single-mode) to connect over SMF up to 10 km. The /LC-AF fixed-connector variant (1000Base-SX) supports only multimode fiber and cannot be used with single-mode runs.

Q: Where can I purchase the AT-29M2/SP-BA-901?

The AT-29M2/SP-BA-901 is available through Creation Networks, an authorized Allied Telesis reseller with expertise in fiber NICs, TAA-compliant networking, and federal government procurement support.