Is the Mellanox MCX516A-CCAT available new? +
Yes. This page lists the new condition currently available from BuyRouterSwitch. Availability can change, especially for bulk orders.
Can I request bulk pricing for MCX516A-CCAT? +
Yes. Businesses, resellers, MSPs, government buyers and procurement teams can request custom quantity pricing.
Does BuyRouterSwitch ship MCX516A-CCAT internationally? +
BuyRouterSwitch ships enterprise IT hardware to customers in the United States and international markets, subject to destination and product restrictions.
What are the primary performance advantages of the Mellanox ConnectX-5 MCX516A-CCAT in data centers? +
The MCX516A-CCAT delivers ultra-low latency and high bandwidth by leveraging 100GbE connectivity and PCIe 3.0 x16 throughput. Designed for demanding enterprise environments, it offloads heavy CPU tasks such as network virtualization and storage acceleration. This enables high-performance computing clusters and cloud data centers to maximize application throughput while simultaneously reducing the processing burden on the host server.
Does the MCX516A-CCAT support standard QSFP28 transceiver modules? +
Yes, this card is equipped with two QSFP28 ports, which are the industry standard for 100GbE networking. You can utilize a wide range of compatible QSFP28 optical transceivers or direct-attach copper (DAC) cables to establish your high-speed uplinks. Ensure that your chosen cabling infrastructure matches the port specifications to maintain full 100Gbps line rate performance across both available channels.
Is the MCX516A-CCAT compatible with existing PCIe 3.0 server slots? +
Absolutely. The MCX516A-CCAT is specifically engineered with a PCIe 3.0 x16 interface, ensuring it is fully compatible with standard PCIe 3.0 x16 expansion slots found in modern enterprise servers. The x16 lane configuration is essential to provide the necessary bus bandwidth to support the aggregate 200Gbps capability of the dual 100GbE ports without creating a hardware-level bottleneck.
Can I use the MCX516A-CCAT for high-frequency trading or HPC applications? +
This card is an excellent choice for High-Performance Computing (HPC) and latency-sensitive trading environments. Its ConnectX-5 architecture supports advanced hardware offloads, including RDMA over Converged Ethernet (RoCE), which significantly reduces network latency by bypassing the host operating system stack. This allows for faster data packet transmission and synchronization, which is critical for time-sensitive financial and scientific workloads.
What is the form factor of this specific MCX516A-CCAT unit? +
This model comes with a pre-installed tall bracket, making it the ideal solution for standard rack-mount servers with full-height PCIe slots. The robust hardware design ensures a secure fit within your chassis, promoting proper airflow and reliable physical connectivity in high-density server environments. If you are integrating this into a different chassis type, please verify your server's internal clearance requirements.
How does RoCE support benefit the performance of the MCX516A-CCAT? +
RoCE (RDMA over Converged Ethernet) allows the MCX516A-CCAT to perform direct memory-to-memory transfers between servers without involving the operating system or CPU. This drastically lowers latency and decreases CPU utilization during data-heavy operations like storage access or distributed database synchronization. By offloading these transport-layer operations to the network card, your infrastructure achieves higher efficiency and improved application responsiveness.
Does this NIC require specific firmware or driver management tools? +
Mellanox provides robust software support for the ConnectX-5 series, typically managed through the Mellanox Firmware Tools (MFT) suite or standard OS-native drivers. For optimal reliability and access to the latest feature enhancements, it is recommended to keep the firmware updated. These tools allow administrators to configure advanced card settings, monitor health, and perform remote updates within a managed network infrastructure.
What deployment scenarios are best suited for a dual-port 100GbE NIC? +
The dual-port configuration is perfect for high-availability setups, allowing for redundant network paths to protect against link failure. It is frequently deployed in leaf-spine network architectures, large-scale storage arrays, and virtualization hosts where heavy traffic from multiple virtual machines requires massive pipe capacity. Its versatility makes it a cornerstone component for any modern software-defined data center.
How can I obtain a bulk quote for the MCX516A-CCAT through BuyRouterSwitch.com? +
For organizations planning large-scale infrastructure upgrades, BuyRouterSwitch.com makes bulk purchasing simple. You can easily request a tailored quote for your specific quantity requirements by contacting our sales department directly. Our team is experienced in handling large-volume orders and can provide competitive pricing structures to ensure your networking projects remain on budget while securing the high-quality hardware you need.
Why should I choose BuyRouterSwitch.com for my networking equipment needs? +
When you purchase from BuyRouterSwitch.com, you are selecting a trusted partner dedicated to the enterprise networking market. We specialize in providing authentic, high-quality hardware with streamlined ordering processes designed for busy IT departments. Our focus is on accuracy, fast processing, and maintaining a deep inventory of professional-grade equipment, ensuring that your enterprise procurement experience is efficient, secure, and professional from start to finish.
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