980-9I51A-00NS00 Nvidia 800GBPS 2 Port 2xNDR 2xMPO 850nm up to 50m Flat Top OSFP SR8 Multimode Transceiver

Nvidia 980-9I51A-00NS00 OSFP SR8 Transceivers

In the era of artificial intelligence, accelerated computing, and data centers, the network fabric is the critical backbone that determines overall system performance. At the forefront of this high-speed revolution is the NVIDIA 980-9I51A-00NS00 800GBPS 2-Port OSFP SR8 Transceiver. This optical module represents a pinnacle of interconnect technology, engineered specifically to meet the crushing bandwidth demands of modern GPU-centric infrastructures, AI clusters, and high-performance computing (HPC) environments. As part of NVIDIA's comprehensive networking ecosystem, this transceiver is more than just a component; it is a vital enabler for lossless, low-latency, and massively scalable data movement.

Defining the Next Generation of Optical Interconnect

This transceiver belongs to the elite category of NDR (Next Data Rate) InfiniBand and Ethernet optical transceivers. NDR, succeeding HDR (200G) and NDR (400G), signifies a leap to 800 Gigabits per second per port. The "SR8" designation is key, indicating it is a Short Range Multimode module designed for high-bandwidth, cost-effective connections within a data center rack or across adjacent rows. Its primary function is to convert electrical signals from an NVIDIA Quantum-2 NDR InfiniBand switch or compatible 800GbE switch into optical signals for transmission over laser-optimized multimode fiber (MMF).

Deep Dive: Technical Architecture and Advantages

The NVIDIA 980-9I51A-00NS00 is engineered with a sophisticated architecture that balances raw speed, reliability, and power efficiency. Understanding its internal design reveals why it is the preferred choice for mission-critical deployments.

OSFP Form Factor: Built for 800G and Beyond

The OSFP form factor is integral to this module's performance. Unlike its predecessor, the QSFP, the OSFP is slightly wider and deeper, allowing for enhanced thermal management and electrical interface capabilities necessary for 800G rates and future 1.6T speeds. Its integrated heat sink ensures stable operation even under maximum load, a non-negotiable requirement in densely packed switches supporting AI workloads.

The SR8 Multimode Approach: Parallel Optics Explained

The "SR8" implementation is a classic example of parallel optics. Each of the two ports on the transceiver utilizes 8 independent optical transmit and 8 receive channels (hence 8Tx and 8Rx). These 16 fibers per port are housed in a single MPO-16 connector. Each lane operates at a modest 100Gbps (using PAM4 modulation), and the electrical lanes from the host switch are mirrored directly onto these optical lanes. This parallel architecture is highly effective for short reaches, providing a straightforward and power-efficient path to 800G aggregation without requiring complex wavelength division multiplexing (WDM) within the module.

MPO-16/APC Connector: Precision for Multimode

The use of an MPO-16 connector with an Angled Physical Contact (APC) polish and flat-top ferrule is a critical design choice. In high-speed multimode transmissions, back-reflections (optical signals reflecting back into the transmitter) can degrade signal integrity. The 8-degree angle of the APC polish virtually eliminates these reflections. The "flat top" refers to the ferrule surface, ensuring optimal physical contact between mated fibers, further reducing insertion loss. This attention to detail guarantees consistent performance and bit error rates (BER) far below the threshold for error-free operation.

850nm VCSEL Technology: The Engine of Speed

At the heart of each transmit channel is an 850nm Vertical-Cavity Surface-Emitting Laser (VCSEL). VCSELs are the industry standard for multimode transceivers due to their low cost, high reliability, excellent modulation speed, and low power consumption. NVIDIA sources and tests premium-grade VCSELs capable of cleanly modulating at 100 Gbps per lane, ensuring the module meets the stringent performance metrics required for NDR InfiniBand's lossless fabric.

High-Performance Computing (HPC) and Scientific Research

In HPC applications like computational fluid dynamics, genomic sequencing, and climate modeling, simulation data sets are massive. The dual-port design allows for flexible, high-density switch-to-switch interconnect (ISLs) within a fabric, enabling the construction of non-blocking, fat-tree networks that allow any server node to communicate with any other at full bandwidth, dramatically accelerating time-to-solution.

High-Frequency Trading and Financial Modeling

In financial industries where microseconds equate to millions of dollars, network latency and determinism are paramount. The predictable, low-latency performance of the NDR InfiniBand fabric, enabled by these transceivers, provides the fastest possible data paths for market data feeds and trading algorithm execution.

Storage Area Networks and Data-Intensive Applications

As storage media like NVMe-over-Fabrics (NVMe-oF) advance, the network must keep pace to unlock their potential. An 800G link can support immense data throughput to and from all-flash storage arrays, making it ideal for real-time analytics, video rendering farms, and large-scale data lakes.

Guaranteed Performance in the NVIDIA Ecosystem

NVIDIA designs its optics, switches, and adapter cards as a cohesive, performance-tuned system. The 980-9I51A-00NS00 is rigorously tested and validated across the entire operating temperature range and with all NVIDIA networking equipment. This guarantees the lossless fabric properties of InfiniBand, advanced congestion control, and in-network computing capabilities like Scalable Hierarchical Aggregation and Reduction Protocol (SHARP) perform as designed.

Reliability

Genuine modules come with full technical support and warranty from NVIDIA. They are seamlessly recognized by NVIDIA's NetQ and UFM (Unified Fabric Manager) platforms, providing end-to-end visibility, predictive analytics, and simplified firmware updates. Using uncertified optics can void switch support agreements and lead to unpredictable network behavior, costly downtime, and difficult troubleshooting in complex AI clusters.