Mellanox ConnectX-4 Lx EN MCX4121A-XCAT: Dual-Port 25GbE Network Interface Card

1. Product Overview

The Mellanox ConnectX-4 Lx EN MCX4121A-XCAT is a high-performance dual-port Ethernet network card designed for next-generation data centers and enterprise networks. Supporting 10, 25, 40, and 50Gb/s speeds, this advanced NIC card delivers exceptional bandwidth, ultra-low latency, and comprehensive hardware offload capabilities. Engineered for cloud, big data, storage, and virtualized environments, this adapter provides a future-proof solution for demanding network infrastructure requirements.

2. Key Characteristics

• Dual SFP28 ports supporting 10/25GbE connectivity
• PCIe 3.0 x8 host interface with backward compatibility
• Hardware offload for RDMA over Converged Ethernet (RoCE)
• SR-IOV virtualization support with up to 256 virtual functions
• Tunnel protocol offloading for VXLAN, NVGRE, and GENEVE
• Multi-host technology enabling shared adapter resources
• Energy Efficient Ethernet (EEE) compliance

3. Core Technologies

The ConnectX-4 Lx EN incorporates cutting-edge technologies including Mellanox Multi-Host® architecture, which allows multiple servers to share a single adapter, significantly reducing infrastructure costs. This network card features hardware-based overlay network encapsulation/decapsulation, GPUDirect® RDMA acceleration, and sophisticated quality of service (QoS) mechanisms. While the ConnectX-6 series offers higher maximum speeds, this adapter provides exceptional value for 10-50GbE applications with advanced feature sets.

4. Operational Methodology

This innovative NIC card operates by offloading network processing tasks from the host CPU to specialized hardware engines on the adapter itself. This includes TCP/UDP/IP stateless offload, checksum computation, packet segmentation, and interrupt coalescence. For virtualized environments, the card implements Single Root I/O Virtualization (SR-IOV) to provide dedicated adapter resources and guaranteed isolation for virtual machines, significantly improving performance compared to software-based virtualization solutions while reducing CPU overhead.

5. Deployment Scenarios

• Cloud computing infrastructure and hyperscale data centers
• High-performance computing and artificial intelligence clusters
• Financial services and high-frequency trading platforms
• Virtualized infrastructure and software-defined networking
• Storage area networks and network-attached storage solutions
• Media streaming services and content delivery networks

6. Technical Specifications

7. Competitive Advantages

• 75 million packets per second message rate for high-throughput applications
• Sub-microsecond latency enhances real-time application performance
• Hardware-based isolation ensures security in multi-tenant environments
• Superior price/performance ratio compared to alternative NIC card solutions
• Future-proof design supporting emerging network protocols and standards

8. Service and Support

We provide comprehensive technical support, including pre-sales consultation, system integration assistance, and post-sales troubleshooting. All products come with standard warranty coverage, with extended options available. Our global logistics network ensures timely delivery to customers worldwide, and we offer flexible procurement solutions for large-scale deployments of this advanced network card solution.

9. Frequently Asked Questions

Q: How does this adapter compare to the ConnectX-6 series?
A: While the ConnectX-6 series offers higher maximum speeds (up to 200Gb/s) and enhanced security features, the ConnectX-4 Lx provides excellent performance for 10-50GbE applications at a more accessible price point, making it ideal for many enterprise deployments.

Q: Can this network card be integrated with existing infrastructure?
A: Yes, the card is backward compatible with lower-speed Ethernet standards and can interoperate with existing network switches supporting SFP28 interfaces, providing a smooth upgrade path for legacy environments.

Q: What type of cables are required for 25GbE operation?
A: You can use SFP28 DAC (Direct Attach Copper) cables or optical transceivers with appropriate fiber cables, depending on distance requirements and existing infrastructure.

10. Implementation Considerations

• Ensure adequate airflow around the adapter for proper thermal management
• Verify server BIOS settings for PCIe slot configuration (x8 link width recommended)
• Use manufacturer-recommended drivers and firmware for optimal performance
• Consider switch compatibility and configuration for advanced features like RoCE
• Plan for appropriate cooling solutions in high-density deployments

11. Company Introduction

With over a decade of industry expertise, our organization maintains extensive manufacturing capabilities supported by a highly skilled technical team. We have cultivated a substantial customer base across diverse market sectors and accumulated significant operational experience, enabling us to deliver products at competitive prices without compromising service quality. Our comprehensive product portfolio includes leading brands such as Mellanox, Ruckus, Aruba, and Extreme Networks.