Is the Lenovo 03LE615 the same as the NVIDIA MFA7U10-H020?

Yes, the Lenovo 03LE615 is the OEM-branded version of the NVIDIA Mellanox MFA7U10-H020. It features the exact same optical engines and specifications, designed for Lenovo ThinkSystem and NVIDIA networking environments.

Why would I use this 20m AOC instead of a DAC?

Direct Attach Copper (DAC) cables are generally limited to 3 meters for high-speed NDR/HDR signals due to signal loss. For a 20-meter distance (e.g., across rows or large clusters), an Active Optical Cable (AOC) like this is required to maintain signal integrity.

Does this cable support 800Gb/s throughput?

The host OSFP connector is physically capable of 800G, but this specific cable is configured to split the signal into two 200Gb/s links, providing a total aggregate throughput of 400Gb/s.

LENOVO Mellanox® 03LE615 (NVIDIA MFA7U10-H020) Active Optical Splitter Cable: This is a 20-meter, fixed-length integrated active optical cable (AOC) assembly designed for high-performance computing (HPC) environments. It enables the connection of a single OSFP port (typically on a Lenovo ThinkSystem or NVIDIA Quantum-2 NDR switch) to two separate QSFP56 ports (on HDR switches or ConnectX-6 adapters). By utilizing active optical technology, this cable supports a 20-meter reach, far exceeding the limits of passive copper (DAC), making it ideal for connecting Top-of-Rack (ToR) switches to End-of-Row (EoR) storage or compute nodes.

🔧 Technical Specifications

OEM: Lenovo
Lenovo P/N: 03LE615
NVIDIA Equivalent P/N: 980-9I115-00H020 (MFA7U10-H020)
Host Connector: 1x OSFP (NDR Form Factor)
Target Connectors: 2x QSFP56 (HDR Form Factor)
Data Rate: 400Gb/s (Split into 2x 200Gb/s HDR)
Length: 20 Meters
Cable Type: Active Optical (Multimode Fiber)

🌐 Engineering Context: The 03LE615 is engineered for "Twin-Port HDR" connectivity. While the OSFP connector is physically capable of 800G, this specific splitter utilizes the interface to drive two 200G HDR links. This is crucial for mixed-generation data centers where new liquid-cooled or air-cooled NDR infrastructure must communicate with existing HDR workloads without requiring a full "rip-and-replace" of the network fabric. The AOC design ensures deterministic latency and zero signal loss over the 20m distance, which is critical for maintaining AI training synchronization.

🧠 Typical Use Cases

Inter-Rack Connectivity: Connecting a core NDR switch in one rack to HDR leaf switches or servers in adjacent racks (up to 20m away).
Storage Clustering: Linking high-speed compute nodes to distributed NVMe-oF storage arrays.
Hybrid Fabric Deployment: Integrating Lenovo ThinkSystem servers equipped with ConnectX-6 adapters into a new NVIDIA Quantum-2 network topology.

✅ Compatible With: Lenovo and NVIDIA InfiniBand Ecosystems.

Host Side (OSFP): Lenovo ThinkSystem NDR Switches, NVIDIA Quantum-2 (MQM9700 Series). Must be configured for 2x200G split mode.
Target Side (QSFP56): Lenovo ThinkSystem HDR Adapters (ConnectX-6), NVIDIA Quantum (MQM8700 Series) Switches.
Firmware: Fully compatible with NVIDIA UFM and MLNX-OS.

❌ NOT Compatible With: Unsupported Protocols/Ports.

Standard 100GbE QSFP28: The QSFP56 ends use PAM4 signaling. Connecting to older NRZ-based QSFP28 ports may result in link failure.
Non-Split Ports: The switch port must explicitly support cable splitting (breakout mode).

🌡️ Thermal & Cable Management

OSFP Thermal Fins: The OSFP connector includes an integrated heatsink (Finned Top). Ensure the host switch has proper C2P airflow to cool the internal optical engine (DSP).
Fiber Bend Radius: This is a 20m optical cable. When routing through cable trays or overhead ladders, maintain a minimum bend radius of 30mm to prevent micro-bending signal attenuation.
Excess Length: Do not coil the 20m cable tightly. Use "figure-8" coiling techniques if slack management is required to prevent twisting stress on the fiber cores.

🤝 Why Choose T.E.S IT-SOLUTIONS? We specialize in enterprise-grade Lenovo and NVIDIA networking hardware. Our engineering team validates every 03LE615 splitter for interoperability and optical signal levels to ensure seamless integration into your high-performance cluster. We offer global shipping, expert technical consultation, and a robust warranty, giving you confidence in your critical infrastructure upgrades.

LENOVO Mellanox® 03LE615 400G to 2x200G OSFP to 2xQSFP56 AOC Splitter 20m

Name: LENOVO Mellanox® 03LE615 400G to 2x200G OSFP to 2xQSFP56 AOC Splitter 20m
SKU: 03LE615_Refurbished

SKU: 03LE615_Refurbished

€900.00

Quantity