ConnectX-5 technical selection questions
Technical evaluation questions with variant-specific scope and sources.
ConnectX-5 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 this the dual-port MCX516A-CCAT?
Applicable canonical content subjects: 900-9X5AD-0016-ST1.
No. MCX515A-CCAT has oneQSFP28 port. The 516 model is a different dual-port configuration.
Public references
- ConnectX-5 Ethernet ordering information
- ConnectX-5 Ethernet introduction
- Specifications | NVIDIA ConnectX-5 Ethernet Adapter Cards User Manual
- Aarki: speed, agility and freedom with Mellanox and XCloud
Does CCAT use PCIe 4 like the ConnectX-5 Ex variants?
Applicable canonical content subjects: 900-9X5AD-0016-ST1.
No. This exact CCAT uses PCIe 3 x16. Do not transfer the host-interface specification of an Ex/CDAT product to this order code.
Public references
- ConnectX-5 Ethernet ordering information
- ConnectX-5 Ethernet introduction
- Specifications | NVIDIA ConnectX-5 Ethernet Adapter Cards User Manual
- Aarki: speed, agility and freedom with Mellanox and XCloud
What is the published lifecycle?
Applicable canonical content subjects: 900-9X5AD-0016-ST1.
The current manual lists the ConnectX-5 Ethernet line and exact CCAT order entry as end of life. Current inventory and support terms need separate confirmation.
Public references
- ConnectX-5 Ethernet ordering information
- ConnectX-5 Ethernet introduction
- Specifications | NVIDIA ConnectX-5 Ethernet Adapter Cards User Manual
- Aarki: speed, agility and freedom with Mellanox and XCloud
What passive-cable power is documented?
Applicable canonical content subjects: 900-9X5AD-0016-ST1.
The exact specification lists 14.2 W typical and 17.0 W maximum with a passive cable. Active-cable conditions and airflow are listed separately.
Public references
- ConnectX-5 Ethernet ordering information
- ConnectX-5 Ethernet introduction
- Specifications | NVIDIA ConnectX-5 Ethernet Adapter Cards User Manual
- Aarki: speed, agility and freedom with Mellanox and XCloud
Can an Aarki ConnectX-5 case establish MCX515A-CCAT performance?
Applicable canonical content subjects: 900-9X5AD-0016-ST1.
No. The historical NVIDIA-hosted Aarki case names ConnectX-5 with XCloud NFV at family level. It illustrates a system architecture, not this exact SKU, a current software certification or a guaranteed per-card result.
Public references
- ConnectX-5 Ethernet ordering information
- ConnectX-5 Ethernet introduction
- Specifications | NVIDIA ConnectX-5 Ethernet Adapter Cards User Manual
- Aarki: speed, agility and freedom with Mellanox and XCloud
What should be checked when keeping a 100 GbE legacy deployment?
Applicable canonical content subjects: 900-9X5AD-0016-ST1.
Confirm the full order code and OEM PSID, supported firmware/driver combination, PCIe width, cable qualification, port health, thermal margin and representative application throughput before accepting the replacement.