Mellanox ConnectX-5 EN Network Card MCX512A-ACAT
High-Value Features
- Dual-port 100Gb/s Ethernet connectivity
- Ultra-low latency of 750 nanoseconds
- RDMA-enabled for high-performance computing
- NVMe over Fabrics target offloads
- Advanced Open vSwitch offload capabilities
Product Overview
The Mellanox ConnectX-5 EN network card (model MCX512A-ACAT)
represents a significant advancement in Ethernet adapter
technology, delivering exceptional performance for demanding
enterprise and data center environments. This intelligent network
interface card provides up to 100Gb/s per port connectivity with
comprehensive offload capabilities that optimize server performance
across cloud, storage, and telecommunications platforms.
As a high-performance nic card solution, the ConnectX-5 adapter
reduces CPU overhead while maximizing throughput, making it ideal
for software-defined infrastructure and network function
virtualization deployments. The mq9700 equivalent delivers
industry-leading message rates of up to 200 million messages per
second while maintaining extremely low latency.
Key Characteristics
Performance
- Up to 100Gb/s per port bandwidth
- 750ns end-to-end latency
- 200 million messages per second
- PCIe Gen 3.0 and 4.0 support
Virtualization
- SR-IOV with up to 512 virtual functions
- Open vSwitch hardware offloads
- Network Function Virtualization support
- Quality of Service guarantees for VMs
Storage
- NVMe over Fabrics target offloads
- T10-DIF signature handover at wire speed
- RoCE (RDMA over Converged Ethernet)
- Embedded PCIe switch technology
Core Technologies
The ConnectX-5 network card incorporates several groundbreaking
technologies that set it apart from conventional Ethernet adapters.
The innovative network card design features ASAP² (Accelerated
Switching and Packet Processing) technology, which offloads the
entire vSwitch/vRouter data plane to the NIC hardware while
maintaining the existing control plane.
This advanced nic card solution supports multiple industry
standards including RoCE v2 for low-latency RDMA communications,
comprehensive NVMe over Fabrics offloads for storage acceleration,
and sophisticated overlay network protocols including VXLAN, NVGRE,
and GENEVE. The adapter's flexible pipeline with programmable
parser and match-action tables enables hardware offloads for
emerging protocols.
Technical Specifications
| Parameter | Specification |
|---|
| Product Model | MCX512A-ACAT |
| Interface Type | Dual-port SFP28 |
| Supported Speeds | 25, 10, 1 GbE |
| Host Interface | PCIe 3.0 x8 |
| Form Factor | Low-profile PCIe HHL |
| RDMA Support | RoCE v2 |
| Virtualization | SR-IOV, 512 VFs |
Application Scenarios
Cloud Data Centers
Enables higher VM density with SR-IOV virtualization and Open
vSwitch offloads, reducing CPU utilization by up to 50% while
maintaining line-rate performance.
Storage Infrastructure
Accelerates NVMe over Fabrics implementations with target offloads,
delivering near-local storage performance for remote NVMe devices
with minimal CPU intervention.
Telecommunications NFV
Provides the high packet processing rates and deterministic latency
required for 5G infrastructure and virtualized network functions
deployment.
High-Performance Computing
Delivers ultra-low latency and high message rates for MPI
applications, machine learning workloads, and financial trading
systems.
Competitive Advantages
The Mellanox ConnectX-5 network card establishes new benchmarks for
Ethernet adapter performance. Compared to previous generation
adapters and competing solutions, this advanced nic card delivers
up to 2x higher message rates and 40% lower latency while reducing
CPU utilization by offloading critical networking functions to
hardware.
The innovative Host Chaining technology enables direct
server-to-server connectivity without involving top-of-rack
switches, significantly reducing infrastructure costs. The embedded
PCIe switch allows building standalone storage or machine learning
appliances with consolidated compute and storage networks.
For organizations requiring high-performance networking, this
network card solution provides exceptional value through its
comprehensive feature set, including the mq9700 compatibility for
legacy systems, making it suitable for heterogeneous data center
environments.
Service & Support
All our network hardware products include comprehensive
manufacturer warranty with flexible extension options. We maintain
substantial inventory of the MCX512A-ACAT network card to ensure
prompt delivery, typically within 3-5 business days for standard
orders.
Our technical support team provides 24/7 assistance for
installation, configuration, and troubleshooting. We offer custom
integration services for large-scale deployments and specialized
environments, ensuring optimal performance of your Mellanox
ConnectX-5 infrastructure.
Frequently Asked Questions
What server operating systems are compatible with the ConnectX-5
MCX512A-ACAT?
This network card supports a wide range of operating systems
including RHEL/CentOS, Windows Server, VMware ESXi, FreeBSD, and
various Linux distributions through OFED drivers.
Does this adapter support both Ethernet and InfiniBand?
The MCX512A-ACAT is an Ethernet-only version (EN series). For
environments requiring dual-protocol support, consider the
ConnectX-5 VPI series adapters.
What are the power requirements for this network interface card?
The typical power consumption is under 15W, with maximum power not
exceeding 25W. The card draws power directly from the PCIe slot
without requiring auxiliary power connectors.
Can I use existing SFP28 transceivers and cables with this nic
card?
Yes, the adapter is compatible with standard SFP28 DAC cables, AOC
cables, and optical transceivers from various manufacturers, though
Mellanox-branded optics are recommended for optimal performance.
Installation & Compatibility Notes
Before installation, ensure your server has an available PCIe x8
slot (or larger) supporting PCIe 3.0 or higher. Verify that your
system firmware is updated to the latest version to ensure proper
compatibility with advanced features.
For optimal performance with this network card, we recommend using
the latest Mellanox OFED drivers or vendor-specific drivers from
your server manufacturer. When deploying in virtualization
environments, consult the hypervisor documentation for SR-IOV
configuration guidelines.
The MCX512A-ACAT nic card operates in standard data center
environments with temperatures between 0°C to 55°C and relative
humidity of 5% to 90% non-condensing. Proper airflow should be
maintained to ensure optimal thermal performance.
Company Introduction
With over a decade of industry experience, we have established
ourselves as a leading provider of enterprise networking solutions.
Our extensive manufacturing capabilities and strong technical team
support enable us to deliver high-quality products at competitive
prices.
We represent premier brands including Mellanox, Ruckus, Aruba, and
Extreme Networks, offering a comprehensive portfolio of networking
equipment. Our inventory exceeds 10 million units, ensuring
reliable supply for projects of any scale.
