MCX631432AS-ADAB Nvidia 25GBE Dual-port SFP28 Adapter Card

NVIDIA MCX631432AS-ADAB Network Adapter - Essential Information

The NVIDIA MCX631432AS-ADAB is a robust, high-speed network interface card (NIC) purpose-built for modern data center needs. Featuring a compact Small Form Factor (SFF) OCP 3.0 layout, this adapter delivers unparalleled performance and flexible deployment in virtualized and high-bandwidth environments.

Product Identity and Core Characteristics

• Manufacturer: NVIDIA – a global leader in computing innovation
• Model Number: MCX631432AS-ADAB
• Device Classification: High-performance network interface controller (NIC)

Structural Layout and Dimensions

Form Factor and Compact Engineering

Designed with the Small Form Factor (SFF) OCP 3.0 standard, this network card is engineered for space-constrained systems, offering optimal compatibility in dense server environments.

Physical Specifications

• Board Dimensions: 115.00mm (4.52 in.) x 76.00mm (2.99 in.)
• Bracket Mechanism: Thumb screw with pull tab for tool-less removal
• Port Type: Dual SFP28 supporting both copper and optical connectivity

Supported Networking Standards

Multi-Protocol Compatibility

The adapter supports a wide range of Ethernet protocols, allowing it to operate in diverse enterprise network topologies and seamlessly connect with existing infrastructure.

Ethernet and Backward Compatibility

• 25GBase-R and 20GBase-KR2 for next-gen high-speed links
• Backward support for 10GBase-LR, ER, CX4, KX4, CR, KR
• 1000Base-KX and CX, as well as SGMII interfaces

Transmission Rate and PCIe Interface

Offering Ethernet data speeds of 1Gb/s, 10Gb/s, and 25Gb/s, this card delivers exceptional bandwidth to support data-intensive workloads. The PCI Express Gen 4.0 interface ensures blazing-fast data throughput via 8-lane (x8) support and SERDES at 16.0 GT/s. Backward compatibility with Gen 2.0 and 1.1 systems adds to deployment flexibility.

Power Efficiency and Operational Profiles

Voltage Inputs and Power Modes

Operating on 3.3VAUX and 12V power lines, this network card supports both active and standby energy states across different cable types. It is optimized for reduced power consumption during idle and maximum efficiency under full load.

Typical and Maximum Power Usage

Passive Cable Configuration

• Active Operation: 11.8W (typical), up to 13.4W (maximum)
• Standby Consumption: 9.2W (maximum)

Active Cable Configuration (1.5W)

• Active Load: 16.7W
• Idle Mode: 10.9W

Power Output per SFP28 Interface: 1.5W max – supporting high-performance optical or copper modules without overloading thermal thresholds.

Environmental Resilience and Regulatory Alignment

Thermal Operating Envelope

• Functional Range: 0°C to 55°C
• Non-Operational Range: -40°C to 70°C

Humidity Resistance and Altitude Ratings

• In-Use Humidity: 10% to 85% relative humidity (non-condensing)
• Storage Humidity: 10% to 90% relative humidity
• Altitude (Operational): Up to 3050 meters above sea level

Compliance and Eco-Friendliness

The NVIDIA MCX631432AS-ADAB adheres to RoHS (Restriction of Hazardous Substances) guidelines, ensuring it meets global environmental and health safety standards. This reduces the ecological footprint of deployment and operation in large-scale IT environments.

Deployment Flexibility and Use Case Scenarios

Ideal for Advanced Data Center Networking

• Streamlined for high-speed interconnects in modern server farms
• Perfect for software-defined networking (SDN) and network function virtualization (NFV)
• Optimized for distributed computing, hyper-converged infrastructure (HCI), and edge computing

Key Advantages in Enterprise Settings

• Improved throughput with support for modern PCIe Gen4 architecture
• Lower latency for mission-critical applications like real-time analytics
• Reduces network bottlenecks in clustered environments and virtualized workloads

Reliability, Longevity, and Infrastructure Integration

Compatibility with Multi-Vendor Networks

Designed to integrate smoothly with a wide spectrum of Ethernet switches, storage appliances, and server platforms, this card supports copper and optical cables through dual SFP28 slots, offering seamless transitions across 1G, 10G, and 25G infrastructures.

Durability for Intensive Workloads

Built using enterprise-grade materials and tested to withstand high temperatures and humidity, the MCX631432AS-ADAB maintains consistent performance in 24/7 operational environments. Its compact design also enables easy scaling in rack-dense installations.

Secure and Stable Operation

• Thumbscrew bracket allows vibration-free mounting
• Thermally balanced for optimal airflow and heat dissipation
• Stable signal integrity at high data rates thanks to low latency PCIe interface

Choose NVIDIA MCX631432AS-ADAB Network Interface Card

Scalable Performance at Competitive Efficiency

This dual-port SFP28 NIC represents a harmonious balance of speed, scalability, and energy efficiency. Whether it’s high-volume database traffic or real-time application delivery, this adapter adapts seamlessly, enabling agile networking for diverse operational needs.

Technology Leadership by NVIDIA

NVIDIA’s reputation for delivering cutting-edge server and networking solutions ensures long-term support and compatibility. The MCX631432AS-ADAB is crafted to deliver innovation through its flexible I/O, compliance with evolving standards, and integration with advanced data orchestration platforms.

Highlights for IT Administrators and Integrators

• Highly modular with broad protocol and form factor support
• Future-ready with PCIe 4.0 and multi-rate Ethernet
• Compact yet powerful — ideal for scale-out server networks

MCX631432AS-ADAB Nvidia ConnectX-6 Lx EN Adapter Card Overview

The MCX631432AS-ADAB Nvidia ConnectX-6 Lx Ethernet Adapter Card represents a sophisticated advancement in enterprise networking technology. Designed for demanding data center environments, this dual-port 25GbE network interface card (NIC) provides exceptional performance, flexibility, and security. Featuring a PCIe 4.0 x8 interface, Secure Boot, and OCP 3.0 form factor with a thumbscrew (pull-tab) bracket, this adapter delivers cutting-edge features suitable for modern infrastructure requirements.

25GbE Dual-Port SFP28 Connectivity for Data Center Efficiency

With two high-performance 25 Gigabit Ethernet (25GbE) SFP28 ports, the MCX631432AS-ADAB provides high throughput and low-latency data transfer ideal for large-scale virtualized environments, hyperscale computing, and cloud-based infrastructure. Each port supports advanced networking features that boost data efficiency and reliability across complex IT environments.

High-Speed Data Transfer for Demanding Workloads

The dual SFP28 interfaces are engineered to support massive data throughput with consistent performance even under heavy load. Whether transferring large datasets, supporting NVMe-over-Fabrics, or enabling real-time analytics, this card facilitates seamless, high-bandwidth networking.

Benefits of Dual-Port SFP28 on One NIC

• Redundancy and failover capabilities for mission-critical workloads
• Increased aggregate bandwidth through link aggregation
• Flexibility in network topology and role assignments

OCP 3.0 Form Factor with Thumbscrew Pull-Tab Bracket

This model features an OCP 3.0 (Open Compute Project 3.0) form factor, allowing seamless integration into open infrastructure systems. The included thumbscrew pull-tab bracket simplifies tool-less installation and removal, ensuring rapid deployment in high-density rack configurations.

Advantages of OCP 3.0 Compliance

The OCP 3.0 design prioritizes thermal efficiency, tool-less servicing, and interoperability across vendor-neutral hardware ecosystems. By aligning with this open standard, the Nvidia ConnectX-6 Lx card provides:

• Enhanced airflow and thermal design for energy-efficient operation
• Future-ready compatibility with modern server backplanes
• Streamlined serviceability in live data center environments

PCI Express Gen 4.0 x8 Interface: Accelerated I/O Performance

The PCIe Gen 4.0 x8 interface doubles the bandwidth of its Gen 3.0 predecessor, enabling data transfer speeds up to 16 GT/s per lane. This performance boost is crucial for I/O-intensive applications including:

• Hyperconverged infrastructure (HCI)
• AI/ML workloads
• High-performance storage networks
• Cloud-native applications

Backward Compatibility

While optimized for PCIe 4.0, this adapter maintains backward compatibility with PCIe 3.0 slots, allowing for deployment in legacy systems without sacrificing baseline functionality.

Advanced Host Management Capabilities

The MCX631432AS-ADAB includes host management support to assist in monitoring, control, and configuration. These features enhance deployment oversight and align with the needs of DevOps teams and system administrators.

Remote and Local Monitoring

Advanced telemetry and diagnostics allow IT teams to monitor network traffic, errors, and device health both locally and remotely. These insights facilitate proactive maintenance and performance tuning.

Firmware and Device Configuration

The adapter supports secure and remote firmware updates, dynamic configuration of link features, and policy enforcement via REST APIs and standardized management protocols such as Redfish and SNMP.

Secure Boot and No-Crypto Mode

With integrated Secure Boot functionality, the Nvidia ConnectX-6 Lx EN Adapter Card ensures a trusted hardware environment by verifying firmware integrity during boot processes. This security feature is critical in preventing rootkits and boot-level attacks.

No-Crypto Variant for Export Control Compliance

The No Crypto SKU is specifically designed to meet export restrictions and country-specific regulatory requirements. It disables on-board encryption while maintaining all other performance and management features.

Use Cases and Deployment Scenarios

The MCX631432AS-ADAB serves a wide range of industry sectors, including enterprise IT, telecom, education, scientific research, and cloud hosting. Its performance, form factor, and standards compliance make it ideal for:

Virtualization and Cloud Hosting

The dual-port architecture allows for network segmentation, load balancing, and service isolation within hypervisor environments like VMware ESXi, Microsoft Hyper-V, and KVM.

AI and High-Performance Computing

For AI/ML workloads, the high-throughput PCIe Gen 4.0 x8 interface ensures rapid movement of data between compute nodes and storage, maximizing GPU and CPU utilization.

High-Availability Networking

The ability to support redundant paths and network failover makes this NIC an essential component in business continuity planning and disaster recovery strategies.

Compatibility and Interoperability

This adapter is compatible with a wide range of server platforms and operating systems, including Windows Server, Red Hat Enterprise Linux (RHEL), CentOS, Ubuntu, and SUSE Linux Enterprise Server (SLES).

Supported Server Platforms

• HPE ProLiant and Apollo series
• Lenovo ThinkSystem servers
• Dell EMC PowerEdge
• Supermicro SuperServer

Driver and Firmware Support

Nvidia provides regularly updated firmware and driver packages with support for RDMA over Converged Ethernet (RoCE v2), Data Plane Development Kit (DPDK), and SR-IOV, ensuring long-term compatibility and feature stability.

RoCE and SR-IOV Capabilities

The inclusion of advanced features such as RoCE v2 and SR-IOV (Single Root I/O Virtualization) positions this card as an optimal choice for latency-sensitive and virtualized environments.

Reducing Latency with RDMA

RDMA enables direct memory access between servers without involving the operating system, significantly lowering latency and CPU overhead for time-sensitive workloads such as trading platforms, AI inference engines, and real-time analytics.

SR-IOV for Virtual Machine Networking

SR-IOV allows a single physical adapter to be shared by multiple virtual machines, reducing hypervisor overhead and improving VM performance. This is especially beneficial in multi-tenant cloud environments.

Thermal Design and Power Efficiency

Designed for dense server environments, the MCX631432AS-ADAB features a thermally optimized layout that maximizes airflow and minimizes heat generation. The adapter also supports dynamic power management to reduce energy consumption during low activity periods.

Active and Passive Cooling Compatibility

The low-profile OCP 3.0 design supports both active and passive cooling solutions, enabling deployment in varied rack environments including those with strict thermal envelopes.

Reliability and Longevity in Enterprise Infrastructure

Built to meet the high reliability demands of 24/7 enterprise operations, the Nvidia ConnectX-6 Lx NIC is rigorously tested for thermal tolerance, signal integrity, and long-term performance under load. This makes it a trusted component in mission-critical infrastructure.

MTBF and Reliability Metrics

The Mean Time Between Failures (MTBF) for this adapter is rated at over 1 million hours, ensuring dependable service in continuous-operation deployments such as data centers, cloud nodes, and edge computing clusters.