900-9X7AH-0039-STZ Nvidia 400GBE Single Port QSFP PCI Extension Option Tall Bracket Network Adapter Card

Nvidia 400GBE PCI Express Network Adapter

The Nvidia 900-9X7AH-0039-STZ is a high-performance 400GBE single port QSFP ConnectX 7 Ethernet PCIe expansion card designed for advanced networking environments. Featuring PCI Express 5.0 x16 compatibility and an optional tall bracket, this adapter ensures seamless connectivity and optimized data transfer rates.

General Information

• Brand: Nvidia
• Model Number: 900-9X7AH-0039-STZ
• Category: Network Interface Card

Technical Specifications

Adapter Card Dimensions

• PCIe half-height, half-length: 2.71 in x 6.6 in (68.90 mm x 167.65 mm)
• Auxiliary PCIe connection: 5.09 in x 2.32 in (129.30 mm x 59.00 mm)
• Includes two Cabline CA-II Plus harnesses (white and black)

Interface Compatibility

• PCI Express Gen 5.0/4.0: SerDes @ 16/32 GT/s, x16 lanes (backward compatible with 4.0 and 3.0)
• Optional PCIe x16 Gen 4.0 @ SerDes 18 GT/s via auxiliary passive card and Cabline SA-II Plus harnesses

Networking Ports

• Single QSFP112 supporting InfiniBand and Ethernet

Data Transfer Rates

• InfiniBand: NDR/NDR200/HDR/HDR100/EDR/FDR/SDR
• Ethernet (default mode): 400/200/100/50/25/10 Gb/s

Protocol Support

InfiniBand Standards

• IBTA v1.5a compliance
• Auto-negotiation for multiple lane configurations:
  • NDR: 4 lanes x 100 Gb/s
  • NDR200: 2 lanes x 100 Gb/s
  • HDR: 50 Gb/s per lane
  • HDR100: 2 lanes x 50 Gb/s
  • EDR: 25 Gb/s per lane
  • FDR: 14.0625 Gb/s per lane
  • SDR: 1x/2x/4x at 2.5 Gb/s per lane

Ethernet Protocols

• 400GAUI-4 C2M, 400GBASE-CR4
• 200GAUI-2 C2M, 200GAUI-4 C2M, 200GBASE-CR4
• 100GAUI-2 C2M, 100GAUI-1 C2M, 100GBASE-CR4/CR2/CR1
• 50GAUI-2 C2M, 50GAUI-1 C2M, 50GBASE-CR/R2
• 40GBASE-CR4/R2
• 25GBASE-R, 25GAUI C2M
• 10GBASE-R, 10GBASE-CX4
• 1000BASE-CX
• CAUI-4 C2M, XLAUI C2M, XLPPI, SFI

Capabilities

• Secure Boot enabled
• Crypto disabled

Electrical and Thermal Specifications

Voltage and Current

• Voltage: 12V, 3.3Vaux
• Maximum current: 100mA

Power Consumption

• Typical power usage with passive cables in PCIe Gen 5.0 x16: 19.6W

Environmental Conditions

Temperature Range

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

Humidity Levels

• Operational: 10% to 85%
• Non-operational: 10% to 90%

900-9X7AH-0039-STZ 400GBE PCIE Network AdapterOverview

The category encompassing advanced Ethernet network adapter cards such as the Nvidia 900-9X7AH-0039-STZ 400GBE Single Port QSFP ConnectX-7 Ethernet PCI Express 5.0 x16 adapter represents the pinnacle of modern data center connectivity. This category is defined by ultra-high throughput, extremely low latency, and intelligent offload capabilities designed to meet the escalating demands of hyperscale computing, cloud infrastructure, artificial intelligence workloads, and next-generation enterprise environments. Network adapters in this class are engineered to serve as foundational building blocks for high-bandwidth architectures where data movement efficiency is as critical as raw compute performance.

As organizations transition toward software-defined infrastructures and distributed workloads, the networking layer has evolved from a passive transport mechanism into an active accelerator. This category reflects that evolution by integrating advanced silicon, programmable data paths, and hardware-based acceleration features directly into the network interface card. The Nvidia ConnectX-7 family, represented by this model, exemplifies the convergence of networking, security, and compute acceleration within a single PCIe expansion card, delivering transformative performance improvements across diverse deployment scenarios.

400 Gigabit Ethernet as a Category Standard

Within this category, 400 Gigabit Ethernet connectivity has become a defining benchmark. Adapters offering 400GBE throughput address the exponential growth in east-west traffic inside modern data centers, particularly in environments supporting artificial intelligence training, machine learning inference, and large-scale data analytics. The ability to move massive datasets between compute nodes, storage systems, and accelerators without bottlenecks is central to maintaining predictable performance and operational efficiency.

Single-port 400GBE configurations, such as those found in this category, are designed to maximize per-port bandwidth while maintaining optimal power efficiency and signal integrity. By consolidating throughput into a single high-capacity port, these adapters simplify network topology design and reduce cabling complexity, which is especially valuable in dense rack environments. The QSFP form factor further supports this consolidation by enabling compatibility with a wide range of optical and direct-attach copper solutions optimized for short- and long-reach deployments.

QSFP Connectivity and Optical Ecosystem Integration

The use of QSFP connectivity within this category ensures seamless integration with contemporary optical transceiver ecosystems. QSFP modules support multiple modulation schemes and reach profiles, enabling flexible deployment across spine-leaf architectures, high-performance clusters, and edge aggregation layers. This adaptability allows data center architects to standardize on a single adapter category while tailoring physical connectivity to specific distance and performance requirements.

Adapters in this class are designed to maintain signal fidelity at extreme speeds, incorporating advanced equalization, clock recovery, and error correction technologies. These features are essential for sustaining reliable 400GBE operation across varying cable lengths and environmental conditions. As a result, the category delivers not only raw bandwidth but also the operational stability required for mission-critical workloads.

PCI Express 5.0 x16 Interface Architecture

A defining attribute of this category is the adoption of the PCI Express 5.0 x16 interface, which provides the host system with unprecedented I/O bandwidth. PCIe 5.0 doubles the throughput of the previous generation, ensuring that the network adapter can fully utilize its 400GBE capabilities without host-side constraints. This alignment between network and host interconnect speeds is crucial for maintaining end-to-end performance consistency.

The PCIe 5.0 x16 interface also supports lower latency and improved power management features, which are increasingly important in energy-conscious data centers. Adapters in this category are optimized to take advantage of these enhancements, delivering high packet processing rates while minimizing CPU overhead. This efficiency allows compute resources to remain focused on application workloads rather than network processing tasks.

ConnectX-7 Architecture and Intelligent Networking

The ConnectX-7 architecture defines a new generation within this category, emphasizing intelligent networking and deep integration with modern workloads. Adapters based on this architecture incorporate programmable data paths that allow organizations to customize packet processing behavior according to specific application needs. This programmability supports emerging use cases such as in-network computing, telemetry, and real-time traffic analysis.

Intelligent networking features embedded in this category enable fine-grained traffic steering, quality of service enforcement, and congestion control. These capabilities are essential for maintaining consistent performance in multi-tenant environments where diverse workloads compete for shared network resources. By handling these functions at the adapter level, the category reduces reliance on external appliances and simplifies network design.

GPU Direct and Memory Optimization

Support for direct communication between network adapters and GPU memory enhances performance for data-intensive workloads. This capability allows data to bypass host memory, reducing latency and freeing CPU resources. Adapters in this category are engineered to support these optimized data paths, ensuring compatibility with modern accelerator architectures.

Memory optimization features also extend to advanced caching and buffer management techniques that improve throughput under sustained load. These enhancements are particularly important for inference workloads, where predictable response times are critical.

Virtualization, Containers, and Cloud Infrastructure

In cloud and virtualized environments, network adapters must support high levels of isolation, scalability, and security. This category addresses these requirements through advanced virtualization features that enable efficient sharing of physical network resources among multiple virtual machines and containers. Hardware-assisted virtualization reduces overhead and ensures consistent performance across tenants.

Support for modern orchestration platforms and software-defined networking frameworks is integral to this category. Adapters are designed to integrate seamlessly with cloud management stacks, enabling automated provisioning, monitoring, and policy enforcement. This integration simplifies operations and accelerates deployment in dynamic environments.

SR-IOV and Multi-Tenant Performance

Single Root I/O Virtualization support allows a single physical adapter to present multiple virtual interfaces to the host system. This capability enables direct assignment of network resources to virtual machines, improving performance and reducing latency. Adapters in this category are optimized to support large numbers of virtual functions without compromising throughput.

Multi-tenant performance isolation ensures that workloads remain unaffected by neighboring traffic, preserving quality of service and meeting service-level objectives. These features are critical for service providers and enterprises operating shared infrastructure.

Inline Encryption and Secure Transport

Inline encryption capabilities ensure that sensitive data remains protected as it traverses the network. Adapters in this category support industry-standard encryption protocols, allowing organizations to meet compliance requirements without sacrificing throughput. The ability to perform encryption at line rate is a key differentiator for this class of products.

Secure transport features also extend to authentication and integrity checking, ensuring that data arrives unaltered and from trusted sources. These capabilities contribute to a comprehensive security posture at the network edge.

Data Center Integration and Scalability

Adapters in this category are engineered for seamless integration into existing data center infrastructures. Compatibility with common operating systems, hypervisors, and management tools reduces deployment complexity and accelerates time to value. This interoperability is essential for organizations seeking to upgrade network performance without extensive reconfiguration.

Scalability is inherent to the category, supporting incremental expansion as bandwidth demands grow. By adopting high-capacity adapters early, organizations can future-proof their infrastructure and avoid disruptive upgrades as workloads evolve.

Enterprise and Hyperscale Adoption

Enterprise data centers adopt this category to support mission-critical applications and hybrid cloud strategies. The combination of performance, security, and manageability aligns with the needs of large organizations seeking to modernize their infrastructure. Hyperscale operators rely on these adapters to deliver consistent performance across massive deployments, where even small efficiency gains translate into significant cost savings.

The widespread adoption of this category underscores its role as a foundational component of modern IT infrastructure. By delivering unmatched performance and flexibility, it enables organizations to innovate and scale with confidence.

Future-Ready Networking Foundations

As network demands continue to grow, the category represented by high-performance 400GBE adapters provides a future-ready foundation for emerging technologies. Support for programmable networking, advanced telemetry, and integration with accelerators positions these adapters to adapt to evolving requirements. This forward-looking design ensures long-term relevance in a rapidly changing technological landscape.

The emphasis on standards compliance and ecosystem compatibility further enhances the longevity of this category. By aligning with industry standards and supporting a broad range of software platforms, these adapters protect investment and facilitate continuous innovation.