ConnectX-4 Lx technical selection questions
Technical evaluation questions with variant-specific scope and sources.
ConnectX-4 Lx technical selection questions
These questions are prepared from the cited technical documentation and clearly scoped owner inputs. They are not a measured frequency ranking. Keep the applicability line with each answer; do not transfer board, cooling, crypto, protocol, cable length or firmware facts between variants.
Is ACAT the 10 GbE XCAT version?
Applicable canonical content subjects: 900-9X4B0-0053-0T1.
No. MCX4121A-ACAT is the dual-SFP28 1/10/25 GbE configuration; XCAT is a separate 10 GbE ordering variant.
Public references
- ConnectX-4 Lx ordering information
- ConnectX-4 Lx user manual
- Specifications | NVIDIA ConnectX-4 Lx Ethernet Adapter Cards User Manual
- ConnectX-4 Lx exact-model feature matrix
What does its end-of-life listing mean for a replacement?
Applicable canonical content subjects: 900-9X4B0-0053-0T1.
NVIDIA lists the product line and exact ordering entries as end of life. This is lifecycle information, not proof that an individual card is faulty. Verify current software compatibility, support needs and unit condition.
Public references
- ConnectX-4 Lx ordering information
- ConnectX-4 Lx user manual
- Specifications | NVIDIA ConnectX-4 Lx Ethernet Adapter Cards User Manual
- ConnectX-4 Lx exact-model feature matrix
Is PCIe 3 x8 the expected host interface?
Applicable canonical content subjects: 900-9X4B0-0053-0T1.
Yes. The exact specification gives PCIe Gen 3, eight lanes, with earlier-generation compatibility. Record the actual negotiated link state in the target server.
Public references
- ConnectX-4 Lx ordering information
- ConnectX-4 Lx user manual
- Specifications | NVIDIA ConnectX-4 Lx Ethernet Adapter Cards User Manual
- ConnectX-4 Lx exact-model feature matrix
What power does the passive-cable table list?
Applicable canonical content subjects: 900-9X4B0-0053-0T1.
9.6 W typical and 11.6 W maximum with passive cables. Active cables have a separate power condition; do not reuse the passive maximum unchanged.
Public references
- ConnectX-4 Lx ordering information
- ConnectX-4 Lx user manual
- Specifications | NVIDIA ConnectX-4 Lx Ethernet Adapter Cards User Manual
- ConnectX-4 Lx exact-model feature matrix
Does the ACAT suffix establish secure firmware?
Applicable canonical content subjects: 900-9X4B0-0053-0T1.
The introduction lists secure firmware for ACST as a separate variant. Do not infer that ACAT has the same secure-firmware or UEFI configuration merely from the shared board family.
Public references
- ConnectX-4 Lx ordering information
- ConnectX-4 Lx user manual
- Specifications | NVIDIA ConnectX-4 Lx Ethernet Adapter Cards User Manual
- ConnectX-4 Lx exact-model feature matrix
What should be included in an acceptance test?
Applicable canonical content subjects: 900-9X4B0-0053-0T1.
Confirm identity/PSID, driver and firmware compatibility, both port links at the intended rate, error counters, airflow and workload throughput. Test the system with the intended SFP28 interconnects rather than an unrelated cable.