MCX623106AC-CDAT Mellanox Dual Port 100Gb Adapter Card PCIe ConnectX-6 DX Ethernet

Mellanox MCX623106AC-CDAT 2 Port 100Gb Adapter Overview

The Mellanox MCX623106AC-CDAT ConnectX-6 Dx Ethernet Adapter Card is a high-performance dual-port 100GbE PCI Express network interface card engineered for modern enterprise, cloud computing, artificial intelligence, virtualization, storage networking, and high-performance computing environments. Featuring a low-profile form factor and dual QSFP56 interfaces, this advanced network adapter delivers exceptional throughput, ultra-low latency, intelligent packet processing, and enhanced security capabilities. Built to support both PCIe Gen 3.0 and PCIe Gen 4.0 platforms, the ConnectX-6 Dx adapter enables organizations to maximize network efficiency while ensuring seamless compatibility with next-generation infrastructure.

Designed for demanding workloads, the MCX623106AC-CDAT supports multiple Ethernet speeds ranging from 1GbE to 100GbE, making it a versatile networking solution for evolving data center environments. Whether deployed in cloud infrastructure, virtualization clusters, enterprise servers, software-defined storage, or AI-driven computing platforms, this Mellanox adapter delivers reliable performance and enterprise-grade scalability.

General Information of Mellanox MCX623106AC-CDAT

• Manufacturer: Mellanox 
• Part Number: MCX623106AC-CDAT 
• Product Type:  Network Adapter 

PCI Express Advantages

• 16 PCIe lanes for maximum throughput
• 16.0 GT/s signaling speed
• Reduced communication latency
• Improved server responsiveness
• Enhanced data transfer efficiency
• Future-ready platform compatibility

Integrated Security Features

• Crypto-enabled hardware architecture
• Secure Boot support
• Trusted firmware protection
• Enhanced infrastructure security
• Reliable enterprise deployment

Efficient Power Consumption

Typical Power Consumption

• 18.7W using passive cables on PCIe Gen 3.0
• 19.52W using passive cables on PCIe Gen 4.0

Maximum Power Consumption

• 25.28W on PCIe Gen 3.0
• 26.64W on PCIe Gen 4.0
• Up to 5W available through each QSFP56 port
• 3.3V auxiliary voltage
• Maximum auxiliary current of 100mA

Recommended Airflow

• Passive cable configuration: 550 LFM
• Active 2.5W cable configuration: 700 LFM
• Hot aisle airflow direction from heatsink to port

Operating Specifications

• Operating temperature: 0°C to 55°C
• Storage temperature: -40°C to 70°C
• Operating humidity: 10% to 85% relative humidity
• Storage humidity: 10% to 90% relative humidity
• Maximum operating altitude: 3050 meters

Compact Low-Profile Design

• Dimensions: 5.59 inches × 2.71 inches
• 142.00 mm × 68.90 mm
• Low-profile PCIe bracket
• Dual QSFP56 connectors

Ideal Applications

• Enterprise data centers
• Cloud computing infrastructure
• Artificial intelligence platforms
• Machine learning clusters
• High-performance computing
• Virtualization environments
• Hyper-converged infrastructure
• Software-defined networking
• Software-defined storage
• Network-attached storage systems
• Financial trading platforms
• Media streaming infrastructure
• Large-scale database servers
• Containerized applications

Broad Ethernet Speed Compatibility

• 1 Gigabit Ethernet
• 10 Gigabit Ethernet
• 25 Gigabit Ethernet
• 40 Gigabit Ethernet
• 50 Gigabit Ethernet
• 100 Gigabit Ethernet

Supported Ethernet Standards

• 100GBASE-CR2
• 100GBASE-CR4
• 100GBASE-KR2
• 100GBASE-KR4
• 100GBASE-SR2
• 100GBASE-SR4
• 50GBASE-R2
• 50GBASE-R4
• 40GBASE-CR4
• 40GBASE-KR4
• 40GBASE-SR4
• 40GBASE-LR4
• 40GBASE-ER4
• 40GBASE-R2
• 25GBASE-R
• 20GBASE-KR2
• 10GBASE-SR
• 10GBASE-LR
• 10GBASE-ER
• 10GBASE-CX4
• 10GBASE-CR
• 10GBASE-KR
• 1000BASE-CX
• 1000BASE-KX
• SGMII

Mellanox MCX623106AC-CDAT Dual Port 100Gb Adapter Card

The Mellanox MCX623106AC-CDAT Dual Port 100Gb Adapter Card PCIe ConnectX-6 DX Ethernet Low Profile is designed for organizations that demand exceptional networking performance, consistent low latency, and enterprise-grade reliability. Built on the advanced ConnectX-6 Dx architecture, this high-speed Ethernet adapter delivers outstanding bandwidth capabilities for modern servers, cloud computing environments, virtualization platforms, enterprise storage, artificial intelligence workloads, and software-defined data centers. As network infrastructures continue to evolve toward higher throughput and lower response times, this PCI Express network adapter provides the scalability and efficiency required to support demanding applications while maintaining operational stability.

Featuring dual 100Gb Ethernet connectivity, the adapter enables organizations to maximize data transfer performance across high-density server environments. The low-profile design makes it suitable for compact rack servers, blade systems, edge computing platforms, and enterprise appliances where installation space is limited without sacrificing networking capabilities. By combining intelligent hardware acceleration with advanced networking technologies, the ConnectX-6 Dx platform significantly reduces CPU overhead while improving application responsiveness and infrastructure utilization.

ConnectX-6 Dx Ethernet Architecture

Advanced High-Speed Network Processing

The ConnectX-6 Dx Ethernet controller introduces a new generation of intelligent network processing technologies that enhance server performance while supporting modern networking standards. Unlike conventional network interface cards, the Mellanox MCX623106AC-CDAT incorporates dedicated hardware acceleration engines capable of processing networking tasks directly on the adapter. This architecture minimizes processor utilization, allowing servers to dedicate additional computing resources to mission-critical applications, databases, virtualization workloads, and distributed computing platforms.

The intelligent networking capabilities improve packet processing efficiency while maintaining predictable latency across high-speed Ethernet connections. Organizations deploying latency-sensitive applications benefit from hardware optimization that accelerates packet forwarding, flow management, congestion handling, and traffic prioritization without placing excessive demands on server processors.

Enterprise-Class PCI Express Integration

The PCI Express interface provides an optimized communication path between the server motherboard and the network adapter. High-bandwidth PCIe connectivity ensures that the adapter can efficiently process dual-port 100Gb Ethernet traffic without creating internal bottlenecks. This enables servers to maintain maximum throughput for large-scale storage transfers, virtualization traffic, backup operations, high-performance computing, and cloud-native workloads.

The advanced PCIe architecture also contributes to improved energy efficiency by optimizing data movement between system memory and network resources. This balanced design enhances server scalability while supporting future infrastructure expansion.

Dual Port 100Gb Ethernet Connectivity

Simultaneous High-Bandwidth Communication

Dual-port networking allows organizations to distribute workloads across multiple network paths while maintaining continuous connectivity. Each 100Gb Ethernet interface can support independent traffic streams, enabling network architects to separate storage traffic, application communication, virtualization networking, backup operations, and management services according to infrastructure requirements.

Multiple network interfaces also provide redundancy for mission-critical environments where continuous availability is essential. In enterprise deployments, dual-port configurations support failover mechanisms that maintain network communication even if one connection becomes unavailable. This improves business continuity while reducing the risk of service interruptions.

Optimized Network Traffic Distribution

The dual-port design enables intelligent load balancing across multiple network connections. By distributing workloads evenly between interfaces, servers can achieve higher aggregate throughput while preventing congestion during periods of peak network utilization. Balanced traffic improves overall infrastructure efficiency and enhances application responsiveness across large enterprise environments.

Support for Large Data Transfers

Organizations processing massive datasets benefit from dual 100Gb Ethernet connectivity because large files can move rapidly between servers, storage arrays, virtualization clusters, and cloud platforms. The increased bandwidth reduces backup windows, accelerates disaster recovery operations, and improves synchronization between geographically distributed infrastructure.

Low Profile Form Factor Advantages

Space-Efficient Server Deployment

The low-profile mechanical design enables installation in compact rack servers, telecommunications equipment, storage appliances, edge computing platforms, and enterprise systems that require reduced expansion card height. This flexibility allows data center administrators to deploy advanced networking capabilities without requiring full-height server chassis.

Modern enterprise infrastructure increasingly emphasizes higher computing density within limited rack space. The compact design of the MCX623106AC-CDAT complements these objectives by supporting dense server deployments while preserving airflow and thermal efficiency inside the chassis.

Improved Cooling Characteristics

Efficient airflow plays an essential role in maintaining reliable server operation. The low-profile construction supports optimized air circulation throughout the server enclosure, helping maintain consistent operating temperatures for networking components and adjacent hardware. Improved thermal performance contributes to greater hardware longevity and enhanced operational stability during sustained high-performance workloads.

Virtualization Performance Optimization

Accelerated Virtual Machine Networking

Virtualized infrastructures require network adapters capable of supporting thousands of simultaneous network connections with consistent performance characteristics. The Mellanox MCX623106AC-CDAT is engineered to accelerate communication between virtual machines while minimizing virtualization overhead. Intelligent hardware capabilities improve virtual network performance without significantly increasing processor utilization.

By offloading networking operations directly to the adapter, virtualization hosts can accommodate greater virtual machine density while maintaining predictable network performance. This enables organizations to improve hardware utilization while reducing infrastructure costs.

Support for Software-Defined Networking

Software-defined networking environments rely on programmable infrastructure that can dynamically adapt to changing business requirements. ConnectX-6 Dx technology integrates efficiently with SDN architectures by providing flexible networking capabilities that support automation, centralized management, and dynamic traffic optimization across enterprise data centers.

Cloud Computing Infrastructure

Optimized for Public and Private Cloud Deployments

Cloud computing environments require network adapters capable of delivering scalable bandwidth, intelligent traffic handling, and low-latency communication between distributed resources. The MCX623106AC-CDAT supports cloud architectures by enabling rapid movement of workloads across physical servers, virtual machines, and containerized environments.

Cloud providers benefit from improved resource utilization, reduced operational overhead, and enhanced application responsiveness through hardware-assisted networking technologies. The adapter contributes to efficient cloud scalability by supporting demanding workloads without compromising network reliability.

Container Networking Performance

Containerized applications frequently generate substantial east-west traffic within modern data centers. The high-performance Ethernet capabilities of the ConnectX-6 Dx adapter enable rapid communication between containers, orchestration platforms, storage systems, and microservices. This enhances application responsiveness while supporting continuous deployment pipelines and cloud-native architectures.

Storage Networking Acceleration

High-Speed Data Access

Enterprise storage systems require reliable network connectivity capable of sustaining continuous high-bandwidth data movement. The dual-port 100Gb Ethernet architecture provides sufficient throughput for storage clusters, network-attached storage platforms, distributed file systems, and high-capacity backup environments.

Large databases, media repositories, scientific research datasets, and enterprise archives benefit from accelerated storage access that reduces waiting time for users and applications. The adapter supports consistent throughput during simultaneous read and write operations across multiple storage nodes.

Efficient Backup and Recovery Operations

Backup windows become increasingly difficult to manage as enterprise datasets continue to expand. High-speed Ethernet connectivity significantly shortens backup durations by enabling faster movement of large volumes of information between production systems and backup repositories. Rapid recovery capabilities also improve disaster preparedness by reducing restoration times following unexpected failures.

Enterprise Security Enhancements

Integrated Security Features

Modern enterprise networks require security capabilities that extend beyond traditional firewall protection. The ConnectX-6 Dx architecture incorporates advanced hardware-assisted security technologies that help protect data as it moves across the network infrastructure. Hardware-level processing improves encryption efficiency while minimizing performance penalties commonly associated with software-based security implementations.

Organizations handling sensitive business information, financial transactions, healthcare records, and confidential research benefit from networking hardware designed to support secure communication without compromising bandwidth or latency.

Reliable Data Integrity

Maintaining data integrity during high-speed transmission is essential for enterprise operations. Advanced error detection and correction mechanisms help ensure accurate delivery of information while reducing retransmissions and communication errors across complex networking environments.

Network Reliability and Availability

Designed for Continuous Operation

Enterprise servers frequently operate around the clock under sustained workloads. The Mellanox MCX623106AC-CDAT is engineered for dependable long-term operation within demanding production environments. Its enterprise-grade construction supports consistent networking performance throughout continuous business operations.

High-quality hardware components, advanced thermal management, and optimized firmware contribute to stable performance under heavy traffic conditions. Organizations deploying mission-critical applications benefit from networking infrastructure designed for reliability and operational continuity.

Redundant Network Connectivity

Dual Ethernet interfaces provide multiple connectivity paths that improve infrastructure resilience. Network administrators can implement failover configurations, link aggregation, and redundant switching architectures that reduce downtime while maintaining application availability during maintenance activities or unexpected network events.

Broad Compatibility Across Enterprise Platforms

Support for Modern Server Environments

The MCX623106AC-CDAT integrates with numerous enterprise server platforms that utilize PCI Express expansion slots. Its flexible architecture supports deployment across virtualization hosts, database servers, cloud infrastructure, storage appliances, edge computing systems, and enterprise application servers. Broad compatibility simplifies infrastructure planning while enabling standardized networking across heterogeneous environments.

Operating System Integration

Enterprise organizations often operate diverse operating systems within a single infrastructure. The ConnectX-6 Dx Ethernet adapter is designed to integrate with major enterprise operating environments, enabling consistent network performance regardless of platform selection. This flexibility simplifies deployment, maintenance, and long-term infrastructure management.

Scalable Networking for Future Growth

Supporting Expanding Enterprise Requirements

As organizations continue adopting digital transformation initiatives, network bandwidth requirements increase significantly. The Mellanox MCX623106AC-CDAT Dual Port 100Gb Adapter Card PCIe ConnectX-6 DX Ethernet Low Profile provides a scalable networking foundation capable of supporting future application demands, expanding virtualization environments, increasingly sophisticated analytics platforms, and continuously growing storage infrastructure. Its combination of intelligent hardware acceleration, enterprise reliability, dual 100Gb connectivity, PCI Express performance, compact low-profile installation, advanced Ethernet capabilities, and modern network optimization technologies makes it an ideal solution for organizations seeking long-term investment protection while delivering exceptional performance across today's most demanding enterprise workloads.