Active Copper Splitter Cables technical selection Q&A

These questions were prepared for technical evaluation from cited documentation. They are not a measured list of frequently asked customer questions. The applicability line belongs to each answer; do not transfer a statement between order-code, firmware, cooling, length, form-factor or crypto variants.

The products listed below are the applicable catalog references. Answers use owner-confirmed manufacturer-origin product data, scoped public documentation, or explicitly stated engineering guidance. Genuine conflicting values are qualified individually.

What connection does MCA4K50-Xxxx-RHS provide?

Applicable catalog candidates: 980-9IAM6-00X001, 980-9IAM6-00X002, 980-9IAM6-00X003.

It is a 1.6T-to-1.6T OSFP active copper interlink with RHS at both ends. The owner-confirmed model maps to an exact 980 OPN and nominal length, including 1.1 m for the X001 variant.

Public references: Validated and Supported Cables and Switches | ConnectX-9 Firmware RN.

May the IHS MCA4K50 datasheet be copied onto it?

Applicable catalog candidates: 980-9IAM6-00X001, 980-9IAM6-00X002, 980-9IAM6-00X003.

No. That ordering table lists different IHS-to-IHS codes. The RHS power, temperature, lane-level and retimer specifications need an exact applicable document.

Public references: Ordering Information | NVIDIA MCA4K50 1600Gbps to 1600Gbps OSFP Active Copper Cable, Validated and Supported Cables and Switches | ConnectX-9 Firmware RN.

What distinguishes an active-electric interlink from LACC?

Applicable catalog candidates: 980-9IAM6-00X001, 980-9IAM6-00X002, 980-9IAM6-00X003.

NVIDIA describes active-electric copper with DSPs at both ends, while LACC uses linear equalization. Choose the connection architecture and host power budget together; do not assume a different thermal variant has the same power.

Public references: NVIDIA Interconnect for Spectrum-6 Based Ethernet Switches | NVIDIA Spectrum-6 SN6000 Switch Systems Hardware User Manual.

Does a validated-table entry mean production availability?

Applicable catalog candidates: 980-9IAM6-00X001, 980-9IAM6-00X002, 980-9IAM6-00X003.

No. The exact row is Prototype. Treat it as an engineering-sample-stage entry and obtain current manufacturer confirmation for the intended design.

Public references: Validated and Supported Cables and Switches | ConnectX-9 Firmware RN.

What distinguishes XDR signaling from NDR?

Applicable catalog candidates: 980-9IAM6-00X001, 980-9IAM6-00X002, 980-9IAM6-00X003, 980-9IAO6-00X001, 980-9IAO6-00X002, 980-9IAQ5-00X001, 980-9IAQ5-00X002, 980-9IAQ5-00X01A, 980-9IAQ6-00X001, 980-9IAQ6-00X002.

XDR uses 200G-PAM4 signaling; NDR uses 100G-PAM4. Equal aggregate bandwidth alone does not establish interoperability.

Public references: Optical Transceivers and Cables for AI Networking | NVIDIA.

Why can a cable have two minimum bend radii?

Applicable catalog candidates: 980-9IAM6-00X001, 980-9IAM6-00X002, 980-9IAM6-00X003, 980-9IAO6-00X001, 980-9IAO6-00X002, 980-9IAQ5-00X001, 980-9IAQ5-00X002, 980-9IAQ5-00X01A, 980-9IAQ6-00X001, 980-9IAQ6-00X002.

The connector exit generally needs a larger bend radius than the cable body. Follow the exact assembly drawing and leave adequate space behind the rack door.

Public references: NVIDIA Cable Management Guidelines and FAQ.

Does an XDR optic automatically downshift to NDR?

Applicable catalog candidates: 980-9IAM6-00X001, 980-9IAM6-00X002, 980-9IAM6-00X003, 980-9IAO6-00X001, 980-9IAO6-00X002, 980-9IAQ5-00X001, 980-9IAQ5-00X002, 980-9IAQ5-00X01A, 980-9IAQ6-00X001, 980-9IAQ6-00X002.

No. NVIDIA places generation compatibility at the switch or adapter; an XDR optic does not independently downshift to 100G-PAM4.

Public references: Optical Transceivers and Cables for AI Networking | NVIDIA.

Can copper assemblies connect to Q3450 CPO data ports?

Applicable catalog candidates: 980-9IAM6-00X001, 980-9IAM6-00X002, 980-9IAM6-00X003, 980-9IAO6-00X001, 980-9IAO6-00X002, 980-9IAQ5-00X001, 980-9IAQ5-00X002, 980-9IAQ5-00X01A, 980-9IAQ6-00X001, 980-9IAQ6-00X002.

No. NVIDIA identifies these as fiber interfaces. A compatible fiber path and optical endpoints are required.

Public references: Optical Transceivers and Cables for AI Networking | NVIDIA.

What does the RHS splitter provide?

Applicable catalog candidates: 980-9IAO6-00X001, 980-9IAO6-00X002.

The exact OPN description specifies a 1.6T OSFP head and two 800G OSFP branches, with RHS at both ends.

Public references: Validated and Supported Cables and Switches | ConnectX-9 Firmware RN.

Can it be used in every Q3200 port?

Applicable catalog candidates: 980-9IAO6-00X001, 980-9IAO6-00X002.

No. NVIDIA prohibits these RHS LACC OPNs and split mode on Q3200 ports 17, 18, 35 and 36. Check the actual port map.

Public references: Appendix—Design Consideration Using Q3200 - NVIDIA Docs.

Can the IHS sibling supply the power specification?

Applicable catalog candidates: 980-9IAO6-00X001, 980-9IAO6-00X002.

No. The public MCA7K10 manual orders IHS-to-RHS codes. Its values are not copied to a different RHS-to-RHS OPN.

Public references: Ordering Information | MCA7K10 1600Gb/s to 2x800Gb/s, OSFP to 2xOSFP, IHS to RHS Active Copper Splitter Cable, Validated and Supported Cables and Switches | ConnectX-9 Firmware RN.

Which host-side design checks apply?

Applicable catalog candidates: 980-9IAO6-00X001, 980-9IAO6-00X002.

Check RHS cooling, two independent 800G branches and the host release matrix. The Spectrum-6 guide names the 980-9IAO6 family as undergoing SN6600-LD qualification; the exact cited CX9 rows say Prototype.

Public references: NVIDIA Interconnect for Spectrum-6 Based Ethernet Switches | NVIDIA Spectrum-6 SN6000 Switch Systems Hardware User Manual, Validated and Supported Cables and Switches | ConnectX-9 Firmware RN.

How many outputs does the assembly have?

Applicable catalog candidates: 980-9IAQ5-00X001, 980-9IAQ5-00X002, 980-9IAQ5-00X01A, 980-9IAQ6-00X001, 980-9IAQ6-00X002.

The exact CX9 descriptions and form-factor column specify four 400G OSFP branches from a 1.6T OSFP head.

Public references: Validated and Supported Cables and Switches | ConnectX-9 Firmware RN.

How do the two thermal options differ?

Applicable catalog candidates: 980-9IAQ5-00X001, 980-9IAQ5-00X002, 980-9IAQ5-00X01A, 980-9IAQ6-00X001, 980-9IAQ6-00X002.

The 980-9IAQ5 group is IHS-to-RHS; the 980-9IAQ6 group is RHS-to-RHS. These are separate OPNs, not interchangeable labels.

Public references: Validated and Supported Cables and Switches | ConnectX-9 Firmware RN.

What Q3200 restriction applies to RHS variants?

Applicable catalog candidates: 980-9IAQ5-00X001, 980-9IAQ5-00X002, 980-9IAQ5-00X01A, 980-9IAQ6-00X001, 980-9IAQ6-00X002.

OPNs 980-9IAQ6-00X001 and 980-9IAQ6-00X002 cannot use Q3200 ports 17, 18, 35 or 36; those ports also lack split mode.

Public references: Appendix—Design Consideration Using Q3200 - NVIDIA Docs.

How should a four-way breakout be planned?

Applicable catalog candidates: 980-9IAQ5-00X001, 980-9IAQ5-00X002, 980-9IAQ5-00X01A, 980-9IAQ6-00X001, 980-9IAQ6-00X002.

Assign four 400G logical links, verify the switch breakout mode and the four receiving ports, then check the chosen IHS/RHS cooling arrangement and release-qualified OPN. Keep cable nominal length separate from connector-exit routing space.

Public references: NVIDIA Interconnect for Spectrum-6 Based Ethernet Switches | NVIDIA Spectrum-6 SN6000 Switch Systems Hardware User Manual, Validated and Supported Cables and Switches | ConnectX-9 Firmware RN.

Availability is on request. Sales provides the USD quotation after the exact configuration is confirmed. No stock, condition or delivery promise is made here.

Technical illustrations