MCX556A-EDAT - Mellanox Cards
Mfr. Part #:
MCX556A-EDAT
Brand:
Mellanox
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MCX556A-EDAT
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MCX556A-EDAT Overview
Mellanox ConnectX-5 Ex VPI - network adapter - PCIe 4.0 x16 - 100Gb Etherne MCX556A-EDAT
Overview
MCX556A-EDAT Overview
Mellanox ConnectX-5 Ex VPI - network adapter - PCIe 4.0 x16 - 100Gb Etherne MCX556A-EDAT
Mellanox ConnectX-5 Ex VPI - network adapter - PCIe 4.0 x16 - 100Gb Etherne
The ConnectX-5 supports two ports of 100Gb/s InfiniBand, Ethernet connectivity, and very high message rate, plus PCIe switch and NVMf offloads, providing high performance and a flexible solution for demanding applications and markets.
Quick Spec
| Model | MCX556A-EDAT |
Compliant Standards | IBTA 1.3, IEEE 1588v2, IEEE 802.1AX, IEEE 802.1p, IEEE 802.1Q, IEEE 802.1Qau, IEEE 802.1Qaz, IEEE 802.1Qbb, IEEE 802.1Qbg, IEEE 802.3ad (LACP), IEEE 802.3ae, IEEE 802.3ap, IEEE 802.3az, IEEE 802.3ba, IEEE 802.3bj, IEEE 802.3bm, IEEE 802.3by |
Connectivity Technology | Wired |
Data Link Protocols | 10 Gigabit Ethernet, 100 Gigabit Ethernet, 100 Gigabit InfiniBand, 25 Gigabit Ethernet, 40 Gigabit Ethernet, 50 Gigabit Ethernet, Gigabit Ethernet |
Data Transfer Rate | 100 GBps |
Features | Auto-negotiation, Dynamically Connected transport (DCT), Extended Reliable Connected transport (XRC), InfiniBand DDR Link support, InfiniBand EDR Link support, InfiniBand FDR Link support, InfiniBand QDR Link support, InfiniBand SDR Link support, Jumbo Frames support, Large Receive Offload (LRO), Large Send Offload (LSO), On demand paging (ODP), PXE support, Quality of Service (QoS), RDMA over Converged Ethernet (RoCE), RDMA support, Receive Side Scaling (RSS), Transmit Side Scaling (TSS), UEFI support, Virtual Protocol Interconnect (VPI), VLAN support |
Form Factor | Plug-in card |
Host Interface | PCI Express 4.0 x16 |
Network Standard | iSCSI, TCP/IP, UDP/IP |
PCI Specification Revision | PCIe 3.0, PCIe 4.0 |
ConnectX-5 Ex VPI Adapter Card EDR IB and 100GbE Dual-Port QSFP28 PCIe4.0 x16
- Wired
- PCI Express 4.0 Fiber
- 100000 Mbit/s
- Internal
Summary Description
Mellanox Technologies MCX556A-EDAT, Internal, Wired, PCI Express, Fiber, 100000 Mbit/s
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Specification
MCX556A-EDAT Specification
| MCX556A-EDAT Specification | |
| Model | MCX556A-EDAT |
Compliant Standards | IBTA 1.3, IEEE 1588v2, IEEE 802.1AX, IEEE 802.1p, IEEE 802.1Q, IEEE 802.1Qau, IEEE 802.1Qaz, IEEE 802.1Qbb, IEEE 802.1Qbg, IEEE 802.3ad (LACP), IEEE 802.3ae, IEEE 802.3ap, IEEE 802.3az, IEEE 802.3ba, IEEE 802.3bj, IEEE 802.3bm, IEEE 802.3by |
Connectivity Technology | Wired |
Data Link Protocols | 10 Gigabit Ethernet, 100 Gigabit Ethernet, 100 Gigabit InfiniBand, 25 Gigabit Ethernet, 40 Gigabit Ethernet, 50 Gigabit Ethernet, Gigabit Ethernet |
Data Transfer Rate | 100 GBps |
Features | Auto-negotiation, Dynamically Connected transport (DCT), Extended Reliable Connected transport (XRC), InfiniBand DDR Link support, InfiniBand EDR Link support, InfiniBand FDR Link support, InfiniBand QDR Link support, InfiniBand SDR Link support, Jumbo Frames support, Large Receive Offload (LRO), Large Send Offload (LSO), On demand paging (ODP), PXE support, Quality of Service (QoS), RDMA over Converged Ethernet (RoCE), RDMA support, Receive Side Scaling (RSS), Transmit Side Scaling (TSS), UEFI support, Virtual Protocol Interconnect (VPI), VLAN support |
Form Factor | Plug-in card |
Host Interface | PCI Express 4.0 x16 |
Network Standard | iSCSI, TCP/IP, UDP/IP |
PCI Specification Revision | PCIe 3.0, PCIe 4.0 |
Frequently Asked Questions (FAQs)
What are the primary performance advantages of the Mellanox ConnectX-5 Ex VPI MCX556A-EDAT? +
The MCX556A-EDAT leverages PCIe 4.0 x16 connectivity, providing massive throughput and reduced latency for high-performance computing and data-intensive applications. By offloading networking tasks from the host CPU, this adapter ensures maximum bandwidth efficiency at 100GbE speeds, making it ideal for modern enterprise data centers requiring rapid data processing and high-speed interconnects.
How does the VPI (Virtual Protocol Interconnect) feature benefit my network deployment? +
The VPI technology allows the MCX556A-EDAT to provide unparalleled flexibility by supporting both InfiniBand and Ethernet on a single port. This dual-protocol capability simplifies infrastructure management, allowing IT administrators to transition between high-speed networking standards without changing physical hardware, effectively future-proofing the server environment for evolving application requirements.
Is the MCX556A-EDAT compatible with existing PCIe 3.0 server slots? +
While the card is optimized for PCIe 4.0 x16 interfaces to achieve peak performance, it is backwards compatible with older PCIe generations. When installed in a PCIe 3.0 slot, the adapter will function correctly, though total bandwidth may be limited by the speed of the host bus. It remains a versatile choice for upgrading legacy hardware.
What specific management tools are recommended for this Mellanox SmartNIC? +
To manage the MCX556A-EDAT, administrators should utilize the Mellanox NEO software suite or standard command-line interfaces like MFT (Mellanox Firmware Tools). These tools provide deep visibility into adapter health, configuration settings, and firmware updates, ensuring the NIC operates at peak efficiency within complex virtualized or bare-metal environments.
Which use cases are best suited for the ConnectX-5 Ex adapter? +
This adapter excels in environments where low latency and high throughput are critical, such as cloud-native storage, database acceleration, and large-scale AI/machine learning training clusters. Its robust offload engines allow it to handle complex networking protocols efficiently, reducing the tax on the host server's CPU and optimizing overall system throughput.
Does the MCX556A-EDAT support advanced offload capabilities for virtualization? +
Yes, this model includes hardware offloads for NVMe over Fabrics (NVMe-oF), RDMA over Converged Ethernet (RoCE), and extensive support for virtual switch acceleration. These features drastically improve packet processing performance for virtualized workloads, making it a powerful component for software-defined data centers aiming to minimize latency in hyper-converged infrastructure deployments.
How does the PCIe 4.0 interface affect thermal and power requirements? +
Operating a PCIe 4.0 x16 card requires adequate airflow within the server chassis to maintain stable operating temperatures during high-load scenarios. While the MCX556A-EDAT is engineered for power efficiency, users should ensure the server’s power supply and thermal management systems are capable of supporting the high performance levels associated with 100GbE data transmission rates.
Are there specific driver requirements for deploying this SmartNIC? +
For optimal stability, you should deploy the latest Mellanox OFED (OpenFabrics Enterprise Distribution) drivers compatible with your specific operating system environment. These drivers ensure full access to the card's feature set, including advanced congestion control and hardware offloading functions, which are necessary for achieving the high-speed performance benchmarks expected from this hardware.
Can I request a bulk quote for multiple MCX556A-EDAT units through BuyRouterSwitch.com? +
Absolutely. If you are planning a large-scale infrastructure refresh, our sales team is equipped to provide competitive bulk pricing tailored to your volume requirements. Simply reach out to us with your specific quantity needs, and we will prepare a formal quote to assist with your project procurement and budget planning process.
Why should I choose BuyRouterSwitch.com for my Mellanox hardware procurement? +
At BuyRouterSwitch.com, we specialize in authentic enterprise-grade networking hardware. We maintain a streamlined procurement process that ensures you receive genuine Mellanox equipment ready for mission-critical deployment. Our focus is on providing reliable access to specialized components, helping IT departments source the exact hardware needed to maintain performance standards without the friction of traditional retail channels.
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