NVIDIA ConnectX-6 Lx MCX631432AN-ADAB 25/50GbE SmartNIC

Product Overview

The ConnectX-6 Lx network card (model MCX631432AN-ADAB) delivers high-performance networking solutions for demanding data center environments. This advanced NIC card supports up to 50Gb/s total bandwidth with flexible port configurations. The SmartNIC technology offloads critical networking functions from host CPUs, improving overall system efficiency and performance while reducing total cost of ownership.

Key Characteristics

• Dual-port 25GbE or single-port 50GbE connectivity
• PCI Express Gen4 x8 host interface
• Hardware-accelerated RoCE (RDMA over Converged Ethernet)
• ASAP² technology for SDN and NFV acceleration
• Inline IPsec encryption and decryption
• Advanced security with hardware root-of-trust
• Support for overlay networks (VXLAN, GENEVE, NVGRE)
• Single Root I/O Virtualization (SR-IOV) support

Core Technologies

The ConnectX-6 Lx NIC card incorporates several groundbreaking technologies:

ASAP² (Accelerated Switch and Packet Processing): Offloads software-defined networking data plane operations to the SmartNIC, enhancing performance in virtualized environments while reducing CPU utilization.

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

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

Operation Principles

The ConnectX-6 Lx SmartNIC operates by offloading network processing tasks from the host server CPU to specialized hardware on the network card. When network traffic arrives, the integrated processor handles packet classification, filtering, and forwarding decisions. For virtualized environments, the SR-IOV technology provides direct hardware access to virtual machines, bypassing the hypervisor for improved performance. The RoCE implementation enables remote direct memory access, allowing efficient data transfer between servers with minimal CPU involvement.

Application Scenarios

This high-performance network interface card is ideally suited for:

• Cloud Data Centers: Virtualized infrastructure with SDN requirements
• High-Performance Computing: Clusters requiring low-latency RDMA communication
• Network Function Virtualization: Telecom and service provider infrastructure
• Storage Systems: iSCSI and NVMe over Fabrics implementations
• Enterprise Networks: Security-sensitive environments requiring encrypted communications

Technical Specifications

Competitive Advantages

The ConnectX-6 Lx network interface card delivers significant advantages over previous generation solutions:

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

Service & Support

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

• Standard manufacturer warranty with extension options available
• 24/7 technical support with average response time under 2 hours
• Firmware updates and security patches
• Integration assistance for complex deployments
• Custom configuration services for large-scale implementations

Frequently Asked Questions

Installation & Usage Notes

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

Company Introduction

With over a decade of industry experience, we have established ourselves as a leading provider of networking solutions. Our extensive manufacturing facilities and strong technical team support enable us to deliver high-quality products at competitive prices.

We represent premier brands including Mellanox (now part of NVIDIA), Ruckus, Aruba, and Extreme Networks. Our product portfolio encompasses original brand new networking equipment including switches, network interface cards, wireless access points, controllers, and cabling solutions.