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Dual-port QSFP28 network card, tall bracket, silver finish

Mellanox Technologies

Mellanox Technologies MCX556A-EDAT network card

SKU CH-BEPX-SXQ8N MPN MCX556A-EDAT

Dual-port QSFP28 adapter delivers 100 Gb/s InfiniBand and Ethernet with sub-600 ns latency over PCIe 4.0 x16

  • Product weight0.45
  • Dual-port QSFP28 delivers 100 Gb/s InfiniBand and Ethernet connectivity
  • PCIe 4.0 x16 interface provides high-bandwidth host connection
  • Sub-600 nanosecond latency accelerates HPC and data-analytics workloads
  • ASAP2 offloads virtual switching to boost throughput without CPU overhead
  • NVMe over Fabric offload speeds storage access across the network

Dual-port 100 Gb/s Connectivity

The Mellanox ConnectX-5 Ex VPI adapter delivers two QSFP28 ports, each running at 100 Gb/s for InfiniBand EDR or 100 GbE. It targets high-performance compute clusters, cloud infrastructure and storage platforms that require low-latency, high-throughput networking across dual links.

MPI Offload and NVMe over Fabric

On-board acceleration engines handle MPI Tag Matching and AlltoAll operations plus NVMe over Fabric offload, reducing CPU overhead for data-intensive workloads. The card reaches its limit when applications demand protocol support beyond InfiniBand EDR and 100 GbE or require port speeds above 100 Gb/s per lane.

PCIe 4.0 x16 Host Interface

A PCIe 4.0 x16 slot supplies the bandwidth needed for dual 100 Gb/s traffic while keeping latency below 600 nanoseconds. The tall bracket fits standard full-height chassis; the adapter draws power solely from the slot and operates within typical server thermal envelopes without auxiliary cooling.

How it compares

Measured against everything we stock in Ethernet Cards & NICs, at today’s prices. Recalculated every night.

Price $901.99
Pricier than about 91% of the 1,505 comparable items (median $90.99).

Specifications

Product
Brand nameMELLANOX TECHNOLOGIES
Size & build
Shipping weight0.23 kg
Package size193 × 155 × 38 mm

Questions about this item

Will this MCX556A-EDAT card run in my older PCIe 3.0 server slot?

The card uses a PCIe 4.0 x16 interface and will operate in a PCIe 3.0 slot at reduced 3.0 speeds, though full 100Gb/s throughput requires a 4.0 platform.

How can I verify both 100Gb/s ports are active after installation?

Check the adapter firmware tool or OS network manager; each QSFP28 port should show a 100Gb/s link status and sub-600 nanosecond latency under load.

Does the box include the QSFP28 transceivers or cables I need for the dual ports?

The package contains only the adapter card with tall bracket; QSFP28 transceivers or direct-attach cables for the two ports must be purchased separately.

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