Mellanox MCX654106A-HCAT ConnectX-6 VPI 2 Port Adapter

Mellanox MCX654106A-HCAT ConnectX-6 VPI Network Adapter

Main Features and Benefits

• Device Type: Network adapter offering seamless integration for high-performance computing
• Form Factor: Compact plug-in card for easy installation
• Interface: 2 x PCI Express 3.0 x16 slots ensuring fast data transmission
• Ports: Dual QSFP28 ports supporting both 200Gb Ethernet and 200Gb InfiniBand connectivity
• Data Transfer Rate: Delivers up to 200 Gbps for ultra-fast networking and data-intensive workloads

Supported Data Link Protocols

• Gigabit Ethernet (GigE)
• 10 Gigabit Ethernet (10GbE)
• 25, 40, and 50 Gigabit LAN
• 100 and 200 Gigabit Ethernet
• 100 and 200 Gigabit InfiniBand for high-speed data transfer

Network and Transport Protocols

• Supports TCP/IP and UDP/IP for efficient data routing
• iSCSI support for reliable storage over network configurations

Compliance with Industry Standards

• IEEE 802.1q: Virtual LAN tagging
• IEEE 802.1p: Traffic prioritization
• IEEE 802.3ad: Link aggregation (LACP)
• IEEE 802.3ae: 10 Gigabit Ethernet
• IEEE 802.3ap: Backplane Ethernet
• IEEE 802.3az: Energy-efficient Ethernet
• IEEE 802.3ba: 40/100 Gigabit Ethernet
• IEEE 1588v2: Precision time protocol

Compatible Operating Systems

• FreeBSD
• Microsoft Windows
• Red Hat Enterprise Linux
• CentOS

Additional Technical Specifications

• PCIe Specification Revision: PCIe 3.0 ensuring high compatibility
• Standards Compliance: Includes IEEE 802.1ax, IEEE 802.1qbb, IEEE 802.1qaz, IEEE 802.1qau, IBTA 1.3, IEEE 802.1qbg, IEEE 802.3bj, IEEE 802.3bm, and IEEE 802.3by

Advantages of Mellanox ConnectX-6

• High-speed network interface that optimizes performance for data-heavy applications
• Multiple compliance standards ensure broad compatibility across different systems and environments
• Flexible support for both Ethernet and InfiniBand allows for versatile network configurations
• Wide OS support, including Windows and various Linux distributions, ensures broad applicability

Part Number

The Mellanox ConnectX-6 VPI 2 Port Adapter Adapter is an advanced networking solution designed for high-performance computing and data center environments. One of its key features is the Part Number, which in this case is MCX654106A-HCAT.

What is a Part Number?

In the world of technology and electronics, a Part Number serves as a unique identifier for a specific product or component. It helps manufacturers and users easily identify and differentiate between various models and versions.

The Significance of MCX654106A-HCAT

The Part Number for the Mellanox ConnectX-6 VPI 2 Port Adapter Adapter, MCX654106A-HCAT, holds great significance for users. It signifies the specific model of this adapter and provides valuable information about its capabilities and specifications.

Identification and Compatibility

The Part Number MCX654106A-HCAT ensures that users can easily identify and locate the exact adapter they need. With numerous models and versions available on the market, having a unique Part Number eliminates any confusion or ambiguity.

Furthermore, the Part Number plays a crucial role in compatibility. By referring to MCX654106A-HCAT, users can ensure that the adapter is suitable for their specific requirements, ensuring seamless integration with existing infrastructure.

Warranty and Support

Another benefit of the Part Number is that it helps streamline warranty and support processes. With MCX654106A-HCAT, users can quickly communicate with the manufacturer or support team to address any issues or inquiries related to their specific adapter model.

Future Upgrades and Enhancements

As technology advances, manufacturers often release updated versions or enhanced models of their products. By knowing the Part Number MCX654106A-HCAT, users can easily determine if a newer version is available and assess whether it offers additional features or improvements that might be beneficial to their operations.

Ports

One of the essential features of the Mellanox ConnectX-6 VPI 2 Port Adapter Adapter is its capability to support two ports. This feature provides significant benefits and plays a crucial role in ensuring efficient and reliable network connectivity.

Understanding Ports

In networking, a port refers to a physical or virtual interface on a device that allows for communication between different devices or networks. Each port has a unique identifier and specific characteristics, enabling data transmission and reception.

Dual-Port Flexibility

The inclusion of two ports in the Mellanox ConnectX-6 VPI 2 Port Adapter Adapter offers users flexibility and versatility in their network setups. With dual-port capability, users can connect the adapter to multiple devices or networks simultaneously, expanding their connectivity options.

Load Balancing and Redundancy

Having two ports enables load balancing, which distributes network traffic across both ports. This feature helps optimize network performance by preventing congestion on a single port and ensuring smooth data flow.

Additionally, the dual-port configuration enhances network redundancy. In case one port fails or experiences issues, the other port can seamlessly take over, ensuring uninterrupted network connectivity and minimizing downtime.

Increased Bandwidth

By supporting two ports, the Mellanox ConnectX-6 VPI 2 Port Adapter Adapter significantly increases available bandwidth. Each port can handle data transmission at high speeds, allowing for faster communication between devices and networks. This increase in bandwidth is particularly valuable in demanding applications that require large data transfers or real-time processing.

Scalability and Expansion

The presence of two ports opens up opportunities for scalability and expansion. Users can easily connect additional devices or networks to the adapter, allowing for future growth and accommodating evolving network requirements. The dual-port configuration provides a foundation for building a robust and scalable network infrastructure.

Connectivity

The Mellanox ConnectX-6 VPI 2 Port Adapter Adapter stands out for its VPI (Virtual Protocol Interconnect) connectivity feature. This feature offers users a versatile and adaptable solution for connecting to various network protocols.

Understanding VPI

VPI, or Virtual Protocol Interconnect, is a technology that enables a single adapter to support multiple network protocols simultaneously. It provides users with the flexibility to connect to different types of networks without the need for separate adapters or hardware.

Multi-Protocol Compatibility

The VPI connectivity feature of the Mellanox ConnectX-6 VPI 2 Port Adapter Adapter allows users to seamlessly connect to Ethernet, InfiniBand, or other supported protocols. This versatility ensures compatibility with various networking environments, making the adapter suitable for diverse applications and use cases.

Reduced Complexity and Cost

By supporting multiple protocols, the VPI capability eliminates the need for separate adapters or hardware for each network type. This reduction in complexity not only simplifies network infrastructure but also helps lower costs associated with purchasing, managing, and maintaining multiple adapters.

Interoperability and Future-Proofing

As technology evolves and new networking protocols emerge, having a VPI-enabled adapter like the Mellanox ConnectX-6 VPI 2 Port Adapter Adapter ensures interoperability and future-proofing. Users can easily adapt to changing network requirements without having to replace their existing adapters, providing long-term value and flexibility.

Optimized Performance

VPI offers optimized performance by enabling efficient data transfer across different protocols. The adapter intelligently manages data flow, ensuring minimal latency and maximizing throughput. This feature is particularly beneficial in high-performance computing environments, where fast and reliable data communication is paramount.

Features

The Mellanox ConnectX-6 VPI 2 Port Adapter Adapter boasts a range of features that make it a powerful networking solution for high-performance computing and data center applications. Some of the key features include high bandwidth, low latency, and advanced offload capabilities.

High Bandwidth

The high bandwidth capability of the Mellanox ConnectX-6 VPI 2 Port Adapter Adapter ensures fast and efficient data transmission. With support for speeds up to 100Gb/s, users can achieve exceptional performance and handle demanding workloads with ease.

Accelerated Data Transfer

The high bandwidth feature enables accelerated data transfer, allowing for faster processing, analysis, and communication. Whether it's transferring large files or streaming high-definition content, the adapter's high bandwidth ensures minimal delays and smooth data flow.

Improved Work Efficiency

By leveraging the high bandwidth capability of the adapter, users can enhance work efficiency. Tasks that involve data-intensive operations, such as rendering complex graphics or running simulations, can be completed in less time, boosting productivity and enabling faster decision-making.

Support for Emerging Technologies

As technology advances, new applications and technologies require higher bandwidth to function optimally. The Mellanox ConnectX-6 VPI 2 Port Adapter Adapter's high bandwidth feature ensures compatibility with emerging technologies, future-proofing network infrastructure and enabling seamless integration with evolving systems.

Low Latency

The low latency feature of the Mellanox ConnectX-6 VPI 2 Port Adapter Adapter is crucial for applications requiring real-time data processing or ultra-responsive communication. With minimal delay between data transmission and reception, users can achieve near-instantaneous results.

Faster Response Times

The low latency capability of the adapter enables faster response times, particularly in latency-sensitive applications like financial trading, scientific computing, and online gaming. By minimizing delays, users can make split-second decisions, perform complex calculations in real-time, and enjoy a seamless gaming experience.

Enhanced User Experience

In addition to benefiting specific applications, the low latency feature enhances the overall user experience. Whether it's browsing the web, streaming media, or collaborating in real-time, users will notice a significant improvement in responsiveness and interactivity.

Efficient Resource Utilization

Low latency is crucial for efficient resource utilization in distributed computing environments. By reducing delays, the adapter ensures that resources are utilized optimally, resulting in better overall system performance and improved utilization of computing resources.

Advanced Offload Capabilities

The advanced offload capabilities of the Mellanox ConnectX-6 VPI 2 Port Adapter Adapter offload processor-intensive tasks from the host CPU to the adapter itself. This feature reduces CPU overhead and improves overall system efficiency.

Increased CPU Availability

By offloading tasks such as data encryption, compression, and protocol processing to the adapter, the host CPU is freed up to focus on other critical tasks. This increased availability of CPU resources allows for better multitasking, improved application performance, and higher scalability.

Energy Efficiency

Offloading tasks to the adapter not only improves performance but also contributes to energy efficiency. By reducing CPU utilization, power consumption is minimized, resulting in lower operational costs and a smaller environmental footprint.

Optimized Network Performance

The advanced offload capabilities optimize network performance by streamlining data processing. The adapter's dedicated hardware handles specific tasks more efficiently than general-purpose CPUs, resulting in faster data transfer and reduced latency.

Scalability and Future Growth

Offloading tasks to the adapter enhances scalability and future growth potential. By reducing CPU overhead, the adapter allows for the seamless addition of more networked devices or scaling up system resources without compromising performance.

Compatibility

The Mellanox ConnectX-6 VPI 2 Port Adapter Adapter is compatible with a range of industry-standard technologies, including PCIe 3.0, InfiniBand, and Ethernet. This compatibility ensures seamless integration with existing infrastructure and provides users with flexibility and interoperability.

PCIe 3.0

The adapter's compatibility with PCIe 3.0, the latest iteration of the Peripheral Component Interconnect Express standard, ensures high-speed data transfer between the adapter and the host system. PCIe 3.0 offers significant performance improvements over previous generations, allowing for faster communication and efficient resource utilization.

Enhanced I/O Performance

By leveraging PCIe 3.0 technology, the Mellanox ConnectX-6 VPI 2 Port Adapter Adapter achieves enhanced I/O performance. This translates into faster data transfer rates, reduced latency, and improved overall system responsiveness.

Backward Compatibility

While PCIe 3.0 offers advanced features and improved performance, it is also backward compatible with earlier versions of the standard. This compatibility ensures that the adapter can be used with systems that support PCIe 2.0 or PCIe 1.0, providing flexibility and investment protection.

Future-Proofing

As technology continues to advance, PCIe 3.0 serves as a future-proofing measure for users. By adopting an adapter that supports this standard, users can ensure their infrastructure is ready to take advantage of upcoming advancements in hardware and software.

InfiniBand

InfiniBand is a high-speed interconnect technology designed for low-latency and high-bandwidth applications. The Mellanox ConnectX-6 VPI 2 Port Adapter Adapter's compatibility with InfiniBand makes it an ideal choice for users working with InfiniBand-based systems or applications.

Ultra-Fast Data Transfer

InfiniBand's high-speed capabilities allow for ultra-fast data transfer rates, making it suitable for data-intensive applications such as scientific research, artificial intelligence, and machine learning. The adapter's compatibility with InfiniBand ensures reliable and efficient communication within these demanding environments.

Scalability and Performance

InfiniBand's design enables scalability, allowing users to create large-scale systems by connecting multiple devices or nodes together. The Mellanox ConnectX-6 VPI 2 Port Adapter Adapter's compatibility with InfiniBand ensures seamless integration into such setups, providing high-performance and low-latency communication between nodes.

Interoperability

InfiniBand has gained widespread adoption in the high-performance computing industry. The adapter's compatibility with InfiniBand ensures interoperability with existing InfiniBand-based systems, simplifying integration and enabling users to leverage their current infrastructure investments.

Ethernet

Ethernet is the most widely used networking technology in the world, providing connectivity for a vast range of devices and applications. The Mellanox ConnectX-6 VPI 2 Port Adapter Adapter's compatibility with Ethernet ensures its versatility and broad applicability across various industries.

Universal Connectivity

By supporting Ethernet, the adapter can seamlessly connect to Ethernet-based networks, enabling users to leverage their existing network infrastructure. This compatibility simplifies integration and ensures that the adapter can be utilized in diverse environments.

Standardization and Interoperability

Ethernet's widespread adoption and standardization make it an attractive choice for users. The adapter's compatibility with Ethernet guarantees interoperability with other Ethernet devices, allowing for seamless communication and integration within existing network environments.

Flexibility in Network Design

Ethernet's flexibility allows for a wide range of network designs and topologies. Whether it's a small local area network (LAN) or a large-scale data center, the adapter's compatibility with Ethernet ensures that users can design their networks to meet specific requirements without constraints.

Integration with Existing Systems

Compatibility with Ethernet is particularly advantageous for users who already have an established Ethernet-based infrastructure. The Mellanox ConnectX-6 VPI 2 Port Adapter Adapter can seamlessly integrate into such systems, enabling users to enhance network performance and capabilities without significant investment in new networking technologies.

Speed

The Mellanox ConnectX-6 VPI 2 Port Adapter Adapter offers impressive speed capabilities, supporting data transfer rates of up to 100Gb/s. This high-speed feature is crucial for users who demand fast and efficient data communication in their high-performance computing and data center environments.

100Gb/s Speed

The adapter's support for 100Gb/s data transfer rates ensures exceptional performance and enables users to handle demanding workloads with ease. This high-speed capability allows for rapid data transmission and reception, facilitating real-time processing, analysis, and communication.

Accelerated Data Processing

With 100Gb/s speed, the Mellanox ConnectX-6 VPI 2 Port Adapter Adapter accelerates data processing, reducing time spent on transferring large files or performing complex calculations. This feature is particularly beneficial in time-sensitive applications or scenarios where quick results are critical.

High-Bandwidth Applications

The adapter's 100Gb/s speed is especially advantageous for high-bandwidth applications that involve large data transfers or require real-time communication. Whether it's handling massive datasets, supporting virtualization environments, or facilitating high-performance computing, the adapter's high-speed capability ensures smooth and efficient operation.

Future-Proofing

As technology continues to advance, the demand for higher data transfer speeds will inevitably increase. By adopting an adapter that supports 100Gb/s, users can future-proof their network infrastructure, ensuring compatibility with emerging technologies and accommodating the growing need for faster communication.

Compatibility with High-Speed Networks

The Mellanox ConnectX-6 VPI 2 Port Adapter Adapter's 100Gb/s speed makes it compatible with high-speed networks and switches. Users can take full advantage of their network's capabilities and achieve optimal performance by utilizing the adapter's high-speed feature.

In conclusion, the Mellanox ConnectX-6 VPI 2 Port Adapter Adapter offers a range of features and capabilities that make it an ideal choice for high-performance computing and data center environments. Its unique Part Number, MCX654106A-HCAT, ensures easy identification and compatibility, while the dual-port configuration provides flexibility and scalability. The VPI connectivity feature allows for seamless integration into various network protocols, while the high bandwidth, low latency, and advanced offload capabilities deliver exceptional performance. The compatibility with PCIe 3.0, InfiniBand, and Ethernet ensures interoperability and broad applicability. Finally, the adapter's 100Gb/s speed enables fast and efficient data communication, catering to the demands of modern computing environments. Overall, the Mellanox ConnectX-6 VPI 2 Port Adapter Adapter is a reliable and versatile networking solution that empowers users with enhanced connectivity and performance capabilities.