Mellanox Technologies, now part of Nvidia, has long been a leader in providing high-performance network interface cards (NICs) and solutions for data centers, high-performance computing (HPC), cloud computing, and AI applications. The ConnectX-5 series of network adapters is part of Mellanox’s robust portfolio, offering high-speed connectivity, low latency, and advanced offload features. In this article, we’ll delve into several key models in the ConnectX-5 family, including the Mellanox MCX512A-ACUT, MCX516A-CDAT, MCX516A-CCAT, MCX4121A-ACUT, and more, as well as discuss the end-of-life (EOL) status of certain models and their impact.
1. Mellanox MCX512A-ACUT: Performance and Features
The Mellanox MCX512A-ACUT is a high-performance 100GbE network adapter that forms part of the ConnectX-5 series. It is designed for high-throughput environments such as cloud data centers, AI, machine learning, and large-scale storage solutions.
- Key Features:
- Speed: Offers up to 100GbE connectivity, enabling rapid data transfer for bandwidth-heavy applications.
- Form Factor: PCIe 3.0 x16, ensuring high bandwidth for seamless data flow.
- Offload Capabilities: Supports RDMA over Converged Ethernet (RoCE) and iWARP for low-latency, high-performance data offloading, which is ideal for applications like financial trading or real-time analytics.
- Compatibility: Works with both SATA and SAS drives, as well as solid-state drives (SSDs) for mixed storage environments.
- Price: The MCX512A-ACUT typically ranges between $2,000 and $2,500 USD, depending on configuration and any additional features such as extra cache modules or battery backup options.
2. MCX516A-CDAT: Flexibility for 25GbE Networking
The MCX516A-CDAT is a 25GbE network adapter from the ConnectX-5 series, designed for high-performance networking environments that need a balance of speed, efficiency, and scalability.
- Key Features:
- Speed: Provides 25GbE Ethernet connectivity, offering a suitable balance between performance and cost for mid-range enterprise environments.
- RAID and Offload Support: Fully supports RoCE and iWARP protocols, as well as offloading for storage protocols to reduce CPU load.
- Form Factor: Compatible with PCIe 3.0 x8, offering flexible integration into servers with various configurations.
- Energy Efficiency: Optimized for power efficiency without sacrificing performance, ensuring low operational costs.
- Price: Typically priced between $1,000 and $1,500 USD, the MCX516A-CDAT is a cost-effective solution for companies needing reliable, high-speed networking at an affordable price point.
3. MCX516A-CCAT: Compact and Efficient
The MCX516A-CCAT is another 25GbE network card from Mellanox’s ConnectX-5 series. Known for its compact design, it is well-suited for systems where space is limited but performance requirements are still high.
- Key Features:
- Speed: Provides 25GbE Ethernet connectivity, ideal for applications requiring robust data throughput at a medium scale.
- Low Power Consumption: Features passive cooling to maintain lower energy usage, making it suitable for high-density server environments.
- Compatibility: Supports both SATA and SAS drives, alongside a variety of storage configurations.
- Low Latency: Supports low-latency communication, essential for high-frequency trading, database management, and data analytics.
- Price: The MCX516A-CCAT typically ranges from $800 to $1,200 USD, making it an affordable yet powerful networking option for data-driven applications.
4. Mellanox MCX4121A-ACUT: A Specialized Option for 40GbE
The Mellanox MCX4121A-ACUT is a specialized adapter from Mellanox’s earlier series designed to provide 40GbE Ethernet connectivity. This model is used primarily in legacy systems or specific use cases where 40GbE performance is sufficient.
- Key Features:
- Speed: Offers 40GbE connectivity, making it suitable for organizations needing high-performance but not necessarily requiring the bandwidth of 100GbE or 25GbE.
- Advanced Features: Supports RoCE and iWARP offloading, as well as advanced storage management protocols.
- Interface: Uses PCIe 3.0 x8, making it compatible with most servers, offering scalable performance.
- Price: The MCX4121A-ACUT is priced in the $1,200 to $1,800 USD range, depending on the configuration and whether it includes additional hardware like cache or backup units.
5. MCX623106AN-CDAT: Scalable Performance for High Demands
The MCX623106AN-CDAT is another powerful ConnectX-5 model from Mellanox, designed for environments that require high bandwidth and low-latency networking, including AI, HPC, and data center applications.
- Key Features:
- Speed: Offers 100GbE Ethernet connectivity, providing the necessary throughput for data-heavy workloads.
- Low Latency: Like other ConnectX-5 cards, it offers ultra-low latency, ideal for time-sensitive applications.
- Scalability: Supports multiple adapters in a system, making it suitable for scalable enterprise deployments.
- Offloading: Supports RoCE and iWARP, enabling storage offloading for better CPU utilization and performance.
- Price: The MCX623106AN-CDAT generally falls between $2,000 and $2,500 USD due to its high performance and advanced features.
6. End of Life (EOL) Status of MCX516A-CCAT
The MCX516A-CCAT has been marked as End-of-Life (EOL) by Mellanox/Nvidia. This indicates that the model is no longer in active production, though it may still be available from some distributors for a limited time. If you’re looking for a 25GbE solution with the same or higher performance, it is recommended to explore newer alternatives in the ConnectX-5 or ConnectX-6 series.
7. MCX512F-ACHT: A High-Performance Alternative
The MCX512F-ACHT is a high-end 100GbE adapter that offers advanced features, similar to the MCX512A-ACUT, but with added flexibility and more advanced performance capabilities.
- Key Features:
- Speed: Supports 100GbE connectivity for demanding data applications.
- Interface: PCIe 3.0 x16, ensuring maximum data throughput.
- Offload: Advanced offload features including RDMA for reducing CPU load and improving performance in network storage environments.
- Compatibility: Supports a wide range of storage drives, from SATA to SAS and SSDs, offering flexibility in deployment.
- Price: The MCX512F-ACHT typically costs between $2,500 and $3,500 USD, depending on the configuration and the addition of any accessories like backup batteries or cache modules.
Conclusion
The ConnectX-5 series by Mellanox (now part of Nvidia) offers a broad range of network interface cards (NICs) designed for high-performance environments. Whether you are looking for 100GbE connectivity with the MCX512A-ACUT, a reliable 25GbE solution with the MCX516A-CCAT, or the advanced capabilities of the MCX623106AN-CDAT, Mellanox provides a variety of options for different use cases in cloud computing, AI, high-performance storage, and more.
With the MCX516A-CCAT reaching EOL status, it’s important to consider newer alternatives from the ConnectX-5 or ConnectX-6 series to ensure you are investing in the most current technology that offers improved performance, scalability, and longevity.
For pricing, availability, and more technical details, be sure to visit authorized Mellanox/Nvidia distributors or the official website.
