Mellanox Copper and Optical Cables

Supporting data rates up to 40Gb/s

Mellanox cables are a cost-effective solution for connecting high bandwidth fabrics, extending the benefits of Mellanox’s high-performance InfiniBand and 10 and 40 Gigabit Ethernet adapters throughout the network. In addition to meeting or exceeding IBTA and IEEE standards, Mellanox Certified cables are 100% tested on Mellanox equipment to ensure optimal signal integrity and the best end-to-end performance. With Mellanox cables you will experience trouble-free installation and long-term operation.

Mellanox Copper Cables

Mellanox passive copper cables provide robust connections and require no power from the connector. Mellanox active cables are a thinner alternative to the passive cables, and are available in longer lengths.

Mellanox Optical Cables

Mellanox optical solutions provide long range scalability for all topologies and utilize innovative optical technologies to enable extremely high signal integrity and reliability. Mellanox assembled QSFP cables are available for short, medium and long range lengths. Mellanox SFP+ optical modules support LC-LC fiber connections for Enterprise (10GBASE-SR) or long distance (10GBASE-LR) applications.

Hybrid Copper Cables

Hybrid cables connect network equipment with different connector types. These cables can connect InfiniBand switch or HCA ports with the original microGiGaCN connector to equipment with the newer QSFP connector. Hybrid cables also enable Mellanox’s VPI adapters and 40 Gigabit Ethernet NIC to connect to 10 Gigabit Ethernet switches with either CX4 or SFP+ ports.

Quad to Serial Small Form Factor Pluggable (QSA) Adapter

The Quad to Single Small Form Factor Pluggable Adapter (QSFP to SFP+ adapter or QSA) is the world’s first solution for the QSFP to SFP+ conversion challenge. The QSA enables smooth, cost-effective, connections between Virtual Protocol Interconnect® (VPI) or 40 Gigabit Ethernet adapters using contemporary QSFP ports and 1 or 10 Gigabit Ethernet networks using existing SFP or SFP+ based cabling. Similarly, Ethernet switches with 40Gb/s QSFP ports can connect to servers with 10Gb/s Ethernet NIC ports using QSA. Mellanox QSA conforms to the SFF-8431 SFP+ and SFF-8436 QSFP connector standards and is 100 percent tested to strict quality requirements. The adapter is built in QSFP form factor with a receptacle for SFP+ cable connector.

Connector Types

Mellanox cables are available with a wide range of connector types, complying with the different protocols in the market. CX4, QSFP or SFP+ cable solutions provide highest flexibility for network installations. Hybrid cables allow you to make connections when the adapter card port doesn’t match the switch port. For example, hybrid cables can connect between DDR adapters with CX4 connectors to high density switches with QSFP connectors. With a QSFP to SFP+ cable, you can connect a VPI adapter card to a 10GigE switch.

Key Features

• Support for up to 40Gb/s bandwidth
• Superior signal integrity
• Bit Error Rate (BER) better than 10-15
• Low crosstalk
• Low insertion loss
• Secure latching mechanism
• Serial numbers printed at each end
• RoHS-5 compliant
• 1-year warranty

Important Disclaimer Information

The Mellanox Verified Cable and Module table should be used as a reference guide only because only a sample of cables were tested and production quality may vary. Mellanox makes no representation or guarantee regarding the compatibility of specific cables with Mellanox adapters or switches.

THIS INFORMATION IS PROVIDED 'AS IS' WITHOUT WARRANTY OF ANY KIND, INCLUDING WARRANTY OF MERCHANTABILITY OR FITNESS FOR A PARTICULAR PURPOSE.

Unless otherwise specified, warranty, service, and support for non-Mellanox products are provided directly by the product manufacturer or supplier. Mellanox makes no representations or warranties regarding the non-Mellanox products and does not warrant either functionality or problem resolution of any non-Mellanox product. The inclusion of a non-Mellanox product on this list is not a guarantee that it will work with Mellanox adapter or switch products. During problem debug and resolution, Mellanox may require the use of Mellanox cables in place of one or more non-Mellanox cables.