NVIDIA ConnectX-5 InfiniBand Network Card (MCX556A-EDAT)

1. Product Overview

The NVIDIA ConnectX-5 InfiniBand adapter card (model: MCX556A-EDAT) is a high-performance dual-port network card designed for next-generation data centers. Supporting speeds up to 100Gb/s per port, this NIC card delivers ultra-low latency, high message rates, and advanced offload capabilities for HPC, AI, cloud, and storage environments. Featuring PCIe Gen4 support and enhanced ConnectX-5 Ex architecture, it provides superior throughput and efficiency for demanding workloads.

2. Key Characteristics

• Dual-port 100Gb/s InfiniBand and Ethernet connectivity
• PCI Express Gen 4.0 x16 host interface
• Hardware offloads for MPI, NVMe over Fabrics, and RDMA
• Enhanced adaptive routing and out-of-order packet handling
• Low-profile PCIe form factor with QSFP28 cages
• RoHS compliant and energy-efficient design

3. Core Technologies

The ConnectX-5 network card leverages cutting-edge technologies including RoCE (RDMA over Converged Ethernet), SR-IOV virtualization, and hardware acceleration for overlay networks (VXLAN, NVGRE, GENEVE). It supports advanced features like T10-DIF signature handoff, burst buffer offload, and dynamic connected transport (DCT) for extreme scalability.

4. Working Principle

The adapter uses remote direct memory access (RDMA) to enable direct data transfer between servers, GPUs, and storage systems, bypassing the CPU and reducing latency. Its embedded PCIe switch allows efficient I/O consolidation, while hardware offload engines handle protocol processing, encryption, and virtualization tasks directly on the NIC card.

5. Applications

• High-Performance Computing (HPC) and AI clusters
• Hyper-converged infrastructure and software-defined storage
• Cloud and hyperscale data centers
• Machine learning and big data analytics
• Video streaming and media processing

6. Specifications

7. Advantages

• Up to 2x higher bandwidth with PCIe Gen4 compared to previous generations
• Significantly reduces CPU overhead via hardware offloads
• Improves application performance with RDMA and GPUDirect support
• Enables lossless networking with advanced congestion control
• Ideal for scalable and efficient data center deployments

8. Service & Support

We provide worldwide shipping, 24/7 technical support, and a standard manufacturer warranty. Custom configurations and volume discounts are available. Our team offers integration guidance and firmware update services.

9. Frequently Asked Questions

Q: Is this card backward compatible with PCIe Gen3?
A: Yes, it is fully compatible with PCIe Gen3, Gen2, and Gen1.

Q: What types of cables are supported?
A: It supports DAC, AOC, and optical transceivers for both InfiniBand and Ethernet.

Q: Does it support virtualization?
A: Yes, it supports SR-IOV with up to 512 virtual functions per port.

10. Precautions

• Ensure adequate airflow and cooling in the server chassis
• Verify PCIe slot compatibility and power supply capacity
• Use only qualified cables and transceivers
• Update firmware and drivers to the latest versions
• Follow ESD precautions during installation and handling

11. Company Introduction

With over ten years of industry experience, we operate a large-scale production facility supported by a strong technical team. We are authorized distributors for leading brands including NVIDIA (Mellanox), Ruckus, Aruba, and Extreme. Our product portfolio includes original brand-new network switches, network cards, wireless access points, and cables. We maintain an inventory of over 10 million units, ensuring reliable supply and competitive pricing. Our 24/7 customer service and technical support have earned us a strong reputation in global markets.