Mellanox ConnectX-5 MCX516A-CDAT EN Dual-Port 100GbE Network Interface Card

1. Product Overview

The Mellanox ConnectX-5 EN network card represents a high-performance Ethernet adapter solution designed for demanding data center environments. This intelligent NIC card delivers up to 100Gb/s per port connectivity with ultra-low latency of 750 nanoseconds and exceptional message rate performance of up to 200 million messages per second. Engineered for Web 2.0, cloud, storage, and telecommunications platforms, this network interface card incorporates advanced offload capabilities that significantly reduce CPU overhead while accelerating application performance.

2. MCX516A-CDAT Key Characteristics

• Dual-port 100GbE connectivity with backward compatibility to lower speeds
• Industry-leading 750ns latency and 200Mpps message rate
• Hardware-accelerated NVMe over Fabrics target offloads
• Advanced Open vSwitch offload technology with ASAP²
• Comprehensive RoCE (RDMA over Converged Ethernet) support
• Embedded PCIe switch for innovative host chaining capabilities
• Multiple form factors: PCIe HHHL, OCP 2.0, and OCP 3.0 SFF

3. Core Technologies

The ConnectX-5 network card incorporates several groundbreaking technologies:

• ASAP² (Accelerated Switch and Packet Processing) for vSwitch/vRouter offloading
• RoCE v2 for efficient remote direct memory access over Ethernet networks
• SR-IOV (Single Root I/O Virtualization) with support for up to 512 virtual functions
• Hardware-accelerated overlay network protocols (VXLAN, NVGRE, GENEVE)
• T10-DIF signature handoff for end-to-end data integrity protection
• PCIe Gen 4.0 compatibility with backward support for Gen 3.0

4. Working Principle

The ConnectX-5 network interface card operates by offloading network processing tasks from the host CPU to specialized hardware engines. Through ASAP² technology, it handles the entire data plane of virtual switches directly in the NIC silicon, dramatically reducing hypervisor overhead. The card's embedded PCIe switch enables direct server-to-server communication without traversing top-of-rack switches, while hardware-accelerated RDMA enables zero-copy data transfers between applications and storage systems.

5. Applications & Usage

This high-performance NIC card is ideally suited for:

• Cloud infrastructure and hyperscale data centers
• Network Function Virtualization (NFV) platforms
• High-frequency trading and financial applications
• AI and machine learning workloads
• High-performance storage and NVMe over Fabrics deployments
• Telecommunications infrastructure modernization
• Video streaming and content delivery networks

6. Specifications

7. Advantages & Selling Points

The ConnectX-5 network card offers significant advantages over competing solutions:

• Superior performance with 2x higher message rate than previous generation NICs
• Comprehensive storage offloads including NVMe over Fabrics target acceleration
• Advanced networking capabilities that reduce CPU utilization by up to 50%
• Host Chaining technology eliminates need for top-of-rack switches in specific deployments
• Future-proof design supporting both PCIe Gen 3.0 and Gen 4.0 interfaces
• Enhanced security features including T10-DIF data integrity protection

8. Service & Support

We provide comprehensive support services for all our networking products:

• Standard manufacturer warranty with optional extensions
• 24/7 technical consultation and troubleshooting support
• Global logistics network ensuring timely delivery
• Custom configuration and integration assistance
• Bulk pricing advantages for large deployments
• Compatibility validation with existing infrastructure

9. Frequently Asked Questions

Q: What is the difference between ConnectX-5 and ConnectX-6 network cards?
A: The ConnectX-6 series offers enhanced security features and higher port densities, while the ConnectX-5 provides exceptional value for high-performance computing and storage applications.

Q: Does this NIC card support SR-IOV virtualization?
A: Yes, the ConnectX-5 supports SR-IOV with up to 512 virtual functions per physical port.

Q: What operating systems are compatible with this network interface card?
A: It supports various Linux distributions, Windows Server, VMware ESXi, and FreeBSD.

Q: Can I use this network card for RDMA applications?
A: Absolutely, the card features comprehensive RoCE (RDMA over Converged Ethernet) support.

Q: What form factors are available for the ConnectX-5?
A: It is available in PCIe HHHL, OCP 2.0 Type 1/2, and OCP 3.0 Small Form Factor configurations.

10. Precautions

• Ensure adequate airflow around the card for proper thermal management
• Verify PCIe slot compatibility (x16 recommended for full performance)
• Use qualified optical or DAC cables for optimal signal integrity
• Update to latest firmware version before deployment
• Consult compatibility matrix for specific switch interoperability
• Follow electrostatic discharge (ESD) protection procedures during installation

11. Company Introduction

With over a decade of industry expertise, our company operates extensive manufacturing facilities supported by a robust technical team. We have established long-term partnerships with numerous global clients, delivering competitive pricing without compromising on quality. As an authorized distributor of leading networking brands including Mellanox, Ruckus, Aruba, and Extreme, we supply genuine network switches, interface cards, wireless access points, controllers, and connectivity solutions. Our substantial inventory exceeding 10 million units ensures reliable availability across diverse product categories. We guarantee precise order fulfillment complemented by 24/7 customer consultation and technical support services. Our dedicated sales and engineering teams have built a distinguished reputation in international markets through consistent performance and customer commitment.