MCX4421A-ACUN Mellanox ConnectX-4 EN 50Gigabit Dual Port Ethernet Card.

Mellanox MCX4421A-ACUN Network Interface Card

The Mellanox MCX4421A-ACUN ConnectX-4 Lx EN Dual-port Network Interface Card (NIC) is a cutting-edge device designed to meet the high-demand requirements of modern networking infrastructures. With the rapid growth of data centers, cloud computing, and high-performance computing (HPC) environments, having an efficient and reliable NIC is essential. The MCX4421A-ACUN provides unparalleled performance and scalability, making it an ideal solution for enterprises seeking to maximize throughput, reduce latency, and improve overall network efficiency.

Key Features and Benefits

The Mellanox ConnectX-4 Lx EN offers a variety of advanced features that cater to the needs of businesses and organizations striving for higher bandwidth, lower latency, and improved network performance.

1. High-Speed Data Transfer with 25GbE SFP28

The MCX4421A-ACUN features a 25GbE SFP28 (Small Form-factor Pluggable 28) port, ensuring blazing-fast data transfer speeds. This provides enterprises with the bandwidth necessary to handle demanding applications like cloud computing, big data analytics, and high-frequency trading. With 25GbE connectivity, users can achieve up to 25 Gbps of throughput, reducing network congestion and improving overall efficiency.

2. PCIe 3.0 x8 Interface

Equipped with a PCIe 3.0 x8 interface, the ConnectX-4 Lx NIC ensures high data throughput and efficient resource utilization within the system. PCIe 3.0 provides a maximum theoretical bandwidth of 16 GT/s, significantly reducing bottlenecks in data transfer between the network interface card and the server. This feature is critical for applications that require fast data access, such as virtualization, real-time analytics, and storage workloads.

3. Low Latency for Time-Sensitive Applications

The ConnectX-4 Lx EN delivers ultra-low latency, a crucial factor for applications that require rapid data exchange, such as high-performance computing (HPC), real-time analytics, and video streaming. With this low-latency capability, businesses can enjoy seamless connectivity and enhanced application performance, ensuring that critical operations are completed with minimal delay.

4. Versatile and Scalable Solution

Designed for scalability, the MCX4421A-ACUN supports a wide range of configurations, making it an excellent choice for growing networks. Whether deployed in a small business or large-scale data center, the ConnectX-4 Lx NIC can accommodate future expansion and evolving needs. Its support for both Ethernet and InfiniBand networks ensures compatibility with a broad spectrum of network infrastructures.

Advanced Technologies for Network Optimization

The Mellanox ConnectX-4 Lx EN NIC integrates several advanced technologies that significantly enhance network performance and reliability. These technologies ensure that the NIC can handle even the most data-intensive workloads with ease.

1. RDMA (Remote Direct Memory Access)

Remote Direct Memory Access (RDMA) technology allows data to be transferred directly between the memory of two computers, bypassing the operating system and reducing the need for CPU intervention. This results in significant performance improvements, with lower latency and better scalability. RDMA technology is especially beneficial for data-intensive applications, such as data analytics and cloud computing, where high-speed communication between systems is critical.

2. NVMe Over Fabrics (NVMe-oF)

The ConnectX-4 Lx EN supports NVMe over Fabrics (NVMe-oF), which extends the performance benefits of NVMe storage to remote environments. NVMe-oF allows for ultra-fast data transfer between storage devices and computing resources across a network, improving storage performance and making it suitable for cloud environments, large-scale databases, and high-performance computing applications.

3. Enhanced Security Features

With security being a top priority in today's networking environments, the MCX4421A-ACUN provides robust security features, including data encryption and secure boot capabilities. These features ensure that the NIC operates securely within sensitive network infrastructures and protects data from unauthorized access or manipulation.

4. Hardware Offload for Efficient Processing

The ConnectX-4 Lx EN NIC offloads various network processing tasks from the host CPU, such as TCP/IP, checksum calculation, and segmentation. This reduces the burden on the server's CPU, freeing up resources for other tasks and improving overall system efficiency. With hardware offload, businesses can scale their networks without adding additional processing power or increasing latency.

Use Cases for Mellanox MCX4421A-ACUN

The Mellanox ConnectX-4 Lx EN is designed to meet the needs of businesses and organizations that rely on high-speed, high-performance networking for a variety of use cases. Some of the most common scenarios where this network interface card excels include:

1. Data Centers and Cloud Computing

Data centers require reliable and high-performing network interface cards to ensure that they can support the increasing demand for bandwidth and minimize latency. The MCX4421A-ACUN provides the scalability and performance required to handle large volumes of data traffic within cloud computing environments. Its ability to support virtualized environments and offload tasks from the CPU makes it a valuable tool for managing large-scale infrastructure in the cloud.

2. High-Performance Computing (HPC)

In HPC environments, where computational power and speed are paramount, the MCX4421A-ACUN delivers the low-latency, high-throughput performance needed to support complex simulations, data analysis, and scientific research. By leveraging RDMA and other advanced features, this NIC ensures that data can be processed quickly and efficiently, without bottlenecks that can slow down critical operations.

3. Virtualization and Software-Defined Networks (SDN)

Virtualized environments require high-performance network adapters to handle the increasing number of virtual machines (VMs) and the associated data traffic. The MCX4421A-ACUN supports virtualization technologies, enabling efficient network communication between VMs while reducing the overhead on the server's resources. Its support for software-defined networking (SDN) allows for flexible, automated network management, making it an ideal choice for modern data centers.

4. High-Frequency Trading (HFT)

High-frequency trading relies on fast, reliable network connections to execute trades within microseconds. The MCX4421A-ACUN’s low-latency design and high throughput make it an essential tool for HFT environments, where every millisecond counts. By reducing network latency, the NIC enables faster execution of trading strategies, which can lead to significant advantages in the competitive world of financial markets.

Compatibility and System Requirements

Before deploying the Mellanox MCX4421A-ACUN NIC, it is important to ensure that the system meets the necessary hardware and software requirements. This ensures optimal performance and compatibility with existing infrastructure.

1. Hardware Compatibility

The ConnectX-4 Lx EN NIC is designed to be compatible with a wide range of server systems and data center environments. It supports standard PCIe 3.0 x8 slots, allowing it to fit into most modern servers. Additionally, the SFP28 port is compatible with a variety of fiber optic cables, providing flexibility in how the network interface is connected to the network.

2. Software Support

The MCX4421A-ACUN is supported by a variety of operating systems, including Linux, Windows Server, and VMware. Mellanox provides drivers and software tools that ensure smooth integration into existing network infrastructures. The NIC is also compatible with various network management tools and technologies, making it easy to incorporate into an organization's existing IT ecosystem.

Why Choose Mellanox MCX4421A-ACUN

The Mellanox MCX4421A-ACUN ConnectX-4 Lx EN Dual-port NIC is an ideal solution for businesses seeking to improve network performance, scalability, and efficiency. Its combination of high-speed data transfer, low latency, hardware offload capabilities, and advanced networking features make it an excellent choice for a wide range of applications, from cloud computing and data centers to high-performance computing and high-frequency trading.

1. Industry-Leading Performance

With 25GbE connectivity and PCIe 3.0 x8 support, the MCX4421A-ACUN delivers exceptional performance in terms of throughput and latency. This makes it an ideal solution for enterprises that require top-tier network performance in demanding environments.

2. Reliability and Scalability

The ConnectX-4 Lx EN is designed for scalability, allowing businesses to expand their networks as needed. Its support for both Ethernet and InfiniBand networks makes it a versatile solution that can grow with your infrastructure.

3. Advanced Networking Features

The MCX4421A-ACUN incorporates advanced technologies like RDMA, NVMe-oF, and hardware offload to improve network efficiency, reduce CPU overhead, and enhance overall performance.

4. Robust Security and Efficiency

Security is a critical consideration in today's networking environments, and the MCX4421A-ACUN ensures that sensitive data is protected with advanced security features. Additionally, its energy-efficient design helps reduce operating costs and supports green computing initiatives.