What are the primary performance specifications of the Mellanox MCX546A-CDAN? +
The MCX546A-CDAN is a high-performance ConnectX-5 EN adapter card featuring dual 100GbE ports. It utilizes a PCIe 3.0/4.0 x16 interface to deliver ultra-low latency and high bandwidth, making it ideal for demanding data center applications, high-performance computing (HPC), and cloud-native environments requiring efficient data throughput.
Which interface type does the MCX546A-CDAN utilize for network connectivity? +
This adapter card is equipped with two QSFP28 ports. These ports support 100GbE connectivity, allowing for flexible integration into high-speed network infrastructures using fiber optics or direct attach copper cables depending on your specific cabling requirements and reach distances within the rack or data center.
Does the Mellanox MCX546A-CDAN support RoCE for offloading tasks? +
Yes, this card supports RDMA over Converged Ethernet (RoCE). By utilizing hardware-based offloading, it significantly reduces CPU overhead, lowers latency, and increases performance for storage and messaging applications. This makes the card a critical component for modern data centers aiming to maximize server efficiency.
Is the MCX546A-CDAN compatible with standard PCIe slots? +
The card features a PCIe x16 form factor. It is designed for standard server environments and is compatible with both PCIe 3.0 and PCIe 4.0 slots. Ensure your server chassis has a full-height or low-profile bracket availability and sufficient PCIe lane bandwidth to support the performance capabilities of this dual-port 100GbE adapter.
What are the typical deployment use cases for this Mellanox ConnectX-5 adapter? +
The MCX546A-CDAN is engineered for high-bandwidth environments, including virtualization, cloud infrastructure, and large-scale data storage systems. Its ability to provide consistent 100GbE performance makes it a preferred choice for network-intensive workloads that require accelerated processing, such as big data analytics and massive database operations.
How do I manage and configure this NIC in a Linux or Windows environment? +
Configuration and management are handled through the standard Mellanox OFED (OpenFabrics Enterprise Distribution) software stack for Linux or the appropriate vendor-supplied drivers for Windows. These drivers provide comprehensive access to advanced features like SR-IOV, NVMe over Fabrics (NVMe-oF), and various quality-of-service settings for fine-tuning network traffic.
Does this network card support SR-IOV for virtualized environments? +
Absolutely. The MCX546A-CDAN supports Single Root I/O Virtualization (SR-IOV), which allows a single physical PCIe device to appear as multiple separate virtual devices. This capability is essential for multi-tenant cloud environments and virtualized server clusters, as it enables direct hardware access for virtual machines, significantly boosting I/O throughput.
What is the physical form factor of the MCX546A-CDAN? +
This card follows a standard PCIe adapter form factor. It is designed to fit into standard server expansion slots. Users should verify the mechanical dimensions of their specific server motherboard and chassis to ensure proper physical clearance and airflow, especially when deploying multiple cards within a single unit.
How can I obtain a bulk quote for the MCX546A-CDAN from BuyRouterSwitch.com? +
For organizations looking to procure multiple units, please contact our dedicated sales team directly through our website. We specialize in providing tailored quotations for large-volume hardware requests, ensuring you receive competitive pricing for your enterprise network infrastructure upgrades and expansion projects.
Why should I choose BuyRouterSwitch.com for my Mellanox hardware needs? +
BuyRouterSwitch.com is a trusted source for enterprise-grade networking components. We prioritize authenticity, ensuring that all our Mellanox hardware is genuine and sourced through established channels. When you order from us, you benefit from our streamlined procurement process and dedicated support, helping you maintain a reliable and high-performance network infrastructure.