NVIDIA ConnectX-6 Lx MCX631102AN-ADAT 25GbE SmartNIC

Product Overview

The ConnectX-6 Lx network card (model MCX631102AN-ADAT) provides high-performance networking solutions for demanding enterprise environments. This advanced NIC card delivers up to 50Gb/s aggregate bandwidth through its dual 25GbE ports. The SmartNIC architecture efficiently offloads critical networking functions from host CPUs, enhancing overall system performance while optimizing resource utilization and reducing operational costs.

Key Characteristics

• Dual-port 25GbE SFP28 connectivity
• PCI Express Gen4 x8 host interface with backward compatibility
• Hardware-accelerated RoCE v2 implementation
• ASAP² technology for software-defined networking acceleration
• Inline IPsec encryption with AES-256/512 support
• Advanced security features with hardware root-of-trust
• Comprehensive overlay network support (VXLAN, GENEVE)
• Enhanced virtualization with SR-IOV and VirtIO acceleration

Core Technologies

The ConnectX-6 Lx NIC card incorporates several innovative technologies that set it apart from conventional network interface cards:

ASAP² (Accelerated Switch and Packet Processing): This technology offloads software-defined networking data plane operations directly to the SmartNIC, significantly improving performance in virtualized environments while substantially reducing host CPU utilization.

Zero-Touch RoCE: Enables seamless deployment of RDMA over Converged Ethernet without requiring complex network configuration, eliminating the traditional need for Priority Flow Control or Explicit Congestion Notification setup.

Hardware Security Framework: Implements robust IPsec inline cryptography with AES-XTS 256/512-bit encryption and provides hardware root-of-trust for secure boot processes and firmware validation.

Operation Principles

The ConnectX-6 Lx SmartNIC operates by efficiently offloading network processing tasks from the host server CPU to specialized hardware engines on the network card. When network traffic is received, the integrated processor manages packet classification, filtering, and forwarding decisions autonomously. For virtualized infrastructure, the SR-IOV technology provides direct hardware access to virtual machines, bypassing the hypervisor for optimal performance. The RoCE implementation enables efficient remote direct memory access, allowing high-speed data transfer between servers with minimal CPU overhead, making this NIC card ideal for performance-sensitive applications.

Application Scenarios

This high-performance network interface card is engineered for diverse deployment scenarios:

• Enterprise Data Centers: Virtualized infrastructure with software-defined networking requirements
• High-Performance Computing: Computational clusters requiring low-latency RDMA communication
• Network Function Virtualization: Telecommunications and service provider infrastructure
• Storage Area Networks: iSCSI and NVMe over Fabrics implementations
• Secure Enterprise Networks: Environments requiring encrypted communications and robust security

Technical Specifications

Competitive Advantages

The ConnectX-6 Lx network interface card delivers substantial improvements over previous generation solutions and competing products:

• Enhanced Power Efficiency: 30% improvement in performance per watt compared to previous generation NIC cards
• Streamlined Deployment: Zero-Touch RoCE eliminates complex network configuration requirements
• Comprehensive Security: Hardware-based security features provide robust protection against firmware tampering
• Future-Ready Architecture: PCIe Gen4 compatibility ensures long-term viability in evolving data center environments
• Virtualization Excellence: Advanced SR-IOV and VirtIO acceleration for high-density virtualized deployments

Service & Support

We provide comprehensive support services for all our networking products including this high-performance NIC card. Our service offerings include:

• Standard manufacturer warranty with optional extension packages
• 24/7 technical support with average response time under 2 hours
• Regular firmware updates and security patches
• Integration assistance for complex deployment scenarios
• Custom configuration services for large-scale implementations

Frequently Asked Questions

Installation & Usage Notes

• Ensure adequate cooling airflow around the network card in server configurations
• Verify PCIe slot compatibility (requires x8 mechanical, x4 electrical minimum)
• Utilize qualified optical transceivers or direct attach cables for optimal performance
• Update to the latest firmware version before deployment to access security and feature enhancements
• Consult compatibility documentation when deploying in heterogeneous network environments

Company Introduction

With over ten years of industry expertise, we have established ourselves as a premier provider of networking solutions. Our extensive manufacturing capabilities and robust technical team enable us to deliver superior products at competitive price points.

We represent leading brands including Mellanox (now integrated with NVIDIA), Ruckus, Aruba, and Extreme Networks. Our comprehensive product portfolio features original brand new networking equipment including switches, network interface cards, wireless access points, controllers, and cabling solutions.