MCX556A-ECAT: Dual-Port 100Gb/s InfiniBand/Ethernet Network Adapter Card
1. Product Overview
The MCX556A-ECAT is a high-performance dual-port network card from NVIDIA's ConnectX-5 series, supporting both InfiniBand and Ethernet protocols at speeds of up to 100Gb/s per port. Designed for data-intensive environments, this nic card delivers ultra-low latency, high message rates, and advanced offload capabilities, making it ideal for HPC, cloud, and storage applications.
2. Key Characteristics
- Dual-port QSFP28 interface supporting 100Gb/s InfiniBand and Ethernet
- PCIe Gen3 x16 host interface
- Hardware offload for RDMA, NVMe over Fabrics, and MPI tag matching
- Support for SR-IOV virtualization with up to 512 virtual functions
- RoHS compliant and energy-efficient design
3. Core Technologies
The network card leverages NVIDIA's ConnectX-5 architecture with support for:
- InfiniBand (IBTA 1.3) and Ethernet (IEEE 802.3bj/bm/by/cd)
- RDMA over Converged Ethernet (RoCE)
- NVMe over Fabrics (NVMe-oF) target offload
- Hardware-based congestion control and adaptive routing
- PCIe Atomic Operations and TLP Processing Hints
4. Working Principle
The MCX556A-ECAT nic card uses an embedded PCIe switch to manage data flow between the host and network. It offloads processing tasks such as packet routing, encryption, and storage protocols directly to the hardware, reducing CPU overhead and latency. The card supports both connection-oriented and connectionless transports, enabling efficient data movement in distributed systems.
5. Applications
- High-Performance Computing (HPC) clusters
- Cloud data centers and hyperscale environments
- NVMe-oF storage arrays and SANs
- AI and machine learning infrastructures
- Virtualized data centers with SR-IOV support
6. MCX556A-ECAT Specifications
| Attribute | Value |
| Interface | 2x QSFP28 |
| Data Rate | Up to 100Gb/s per port |
| Host Bus | PCIe Gen3 x16 |
| Protocols | InfiniBand, Ethernet |
| Power Consumption | ~12W |
| Form Factor | HHHL (Half-Height Half-Length) |
| OS Support | Linux, Windows, VMware, FreeBSD |
7. MCX556A-ECAT Advantages
- Superior throughput and lower latency compared to previous-gen network cards
- Hardware offload reduces CPU usage by up to 30%
- Support for advanced features like NVMe-oF and RoCE
- Backward compatible with lower-speed networks
- Ideal for both InfiniBand and Ethernet environments
8. Service & Support
We offer:
- 1-year hardware warranty
- 24/7 technical support and consultation
- Global shipping with tracking
- Custom configuration and integration services
9. FAQ
Q: Is this card compatible with my existing Ethernet switches?
A: Yes, it supports standard Ethernet protocols up to 100GbE.
Q: Can I use this NIC card in a virtualized environment?
A: Yes, it supports SR-IOV with up to 512 virtual functions.
Q: What cables are required for 100Gb/s operation?
A: QSFP28 DAC or optical cables are supported.
10. Precautions
- Ensure proper cooling and airflow in the server chassis.
- Use certified cables and transceivers for optimal performance.
- Verify PCIe slot compatibility (Gen3 x16 required).
- Update to the latest firmware and drivers from NVIDIA.
11. Company Introduction
With over 10 years of industry experience, we operate a large factory and maintain a strong technical team. We represent leading brands including Mellanox, Ruckus, Aruba, and Extreme. Our product range includes network switches, network cards, wireless access points, controllers, and cables. We hold over $10M in inventory, ensuring reliable supply and competitive pricing. Our professional sales and technical support teams are available 24/7 to assist customers worldwide.
