Mellanox ConnectX-4 VPI Adapter Card MCX4131A-BCAT

The Mellanox ConnectX-4 VPI adapter card represents a breakthrough in high-performance networking technology, delivering exceptional 100Gb/s bandwidth with advanced hardware offload capabilities. This sophisticated network card is engineered for data-intensive environments, offering ultra-low latency, high message rates, and comprehensive protocol support. While the ConnectX-6 represents the next generation, the ConnectX-4 VPI stands as a proven, cost-effective solution for enterprises requiring robust performance without premium pricing.

Key Performance Highlights:

• Single-port 100Gb/s InfiniBand EDR and Ethernet connectivity
• Hardware offload for RDMA, RoCE, and overlay networks
• 150 million messages per second throughput
• PCIe 3.0 x16 host interface with low-profile form factor
• SR-IOV virtualization with up to 256 virtual functions

Technical Characteristics

• Single-port 100Gb/s InfiniBand EDR and 100GbE connectivity
• Support for 1/10/25/40/50/56/100GbE speeds
• 150 million messages per second message rate
• Hardware-based I/O virtualization (SR-IOV)
• RDMA over Converged Ethernet (RoCE) v1 and v2 support
• Erasure Coding (Reed-Solomon) offload capability
• NVGRE and VXLAN encapsulation/decapsulation
• Energy Efficient Ethernet (EEE) support
• RoHS-R6 compliant

Core Technologies

The ConnectX-4 nic card incorporates Mellanox's innovative Virtual Protocol Interconnect (VPI) technology, enabling flexible deployment across both InfiniBand and Ethernet networks with a unified software stack. It features hardware-accelerated offload engines for overlay networks (NVGRE/VXLAN), storage protocols, and virtualization. The adapter's CORE-Direct technology enhances collective communications for HPC environments by minimizing CPU overhead and improving application scalability.

Operational Architecture

The ConnectX-4 network card operates through specialized processing engines that offload network, storage, and virtualization tasks from the host CPU. Its hardware-based RDMA implementation enables direct memory access between systems without CPU involvement, significantly reducing latency. For overlay networks, dedicated engines handle encapsulation and decapsulation of NVGRE and VXLAN headers, maintaining performance while reducing CPU utilization. The adapter's T10-DIF signature handover capability processes data integrity fields at wire speed, accelerating storage operations.

Application Environments

• High-Performance Computing (HPC) and research clusters
• Cloud infrastructure and enterprise data centers
• Big Data analytics and machine learning platforms
• Virtualized storage and software-defined infrastructure
• Financial services and database applications
• Media and entertainment content creation workflows
• High-frequency trading systems

Technical Specifications

Competitive Advantages

• Industry-leading 150 million messages/second throughput
• Comprehensive hardware offload reduces CPU utilization by up to 40%
• Advanced congestion control ensures consistent performance under load
• Energy Efficient Ethernet support reduces power consumption
• Backward compatibility with previous InfiniBand generations
• Unified software stack for both InfiniBand and Ethernet operations

Service & Support

We provide comprehensive support including 3-year warranty, global shipping with 5-7 business day delivery, and 24/7 technical consultation. Our team offers integration services, driver configuration assistance, and performance optimization guidance. All products undergo rigorous testing and validation procedures to ensure reliability in production environments.

Frequently Asked Questions

Q: How does this model compare to the ConnectX-6?

A: While the ConnectX-6 offers higher bandwidth (200Gb/s) and enhanced features, the ConnectX-4 provides exceptional 100Gb/s performance with comprehensive offload capabilities at a more accessible price point for many enterprise applications.

Q: Can this network card operate in both InfiniBand and Ethernet modes?

A: Yes, the adapter supports both protocols through its Virtual Protocol Interconnect technology, allowing flexible deployment in converged infrastructure environments.

Q: What virtualization features does this NIC card support?

A: The adapter supports SR-IOV with up to 256 virtual functions, providing dedicated resources and guaranteed isolation for virtual machines while maintaining near-native performance.

Installation Considerations

• Ensure adequate airflow with minimum 150 LFM for optimal thermal performance
• Verify PCIe slot compatibility (x16 mechanical, x8 electrical minimum)
• Use qualified QSFP28 transceivers and cables for reliable 100Gb/s operation
• Update to latest firmware version before deployment for security and performance
• Follow proper ESD precautions during handling and installation

About Our Company

With over a decade of industry expertise, we operate extensive manufacturing facilities supported by a skilled technical team. Our company has established a substantial client base and delivers competitive pricing on premium networking hardware. We represent leading brands including Mellanox, Ruckus, Aruba, and Extreme, supplying authentic new networking equipment such as switches, network interface cards, wireless access points, controllers, and cabling solutions. Maintaining an inventory of over ten million products, we accommodate volume orders and offer round-the-clock customer service with technical support. Our dedicated sales and engineering professionals have built a globally recognized reputation for excellence and reliability in the networking industry.