Lot of 2 — IBM 59Y1905 / Mellanox MNPH29B-XTC ConnectX-2 EN Dual-Port SFP+ 10GbE PCIe Adapter
Technical Identity
This listing is a lot of two IBM 59Y1905 adapters, the IBM-branded version of the Mellanox MNPH29B-XTC ConnectX-2 EN dual-port SFP+ 10 Gigabit Ethernet PCIe adapter. Each card presents two SFP+ cages at 10GbE over a PCIe 2.0 x8 host interface. 59Y1905 is the IBM option part number and MNPH29B-XTC is the Mellanox part number for the same card. Protocol: Ethernet. Condition: New. Generation note: ConnectX-2 is an end-of-life controller — see the software constraint below before deploying it into a current environment.
Specifications
Brand: IBM (Mellanox ConnectX-2 EN OEM)
Quantity in this listing: 2 adapters (sold as one lot)
IBM P/N: 59Y1905
Mellanox P/N: MNPH29B-XTC
Product type: Ethernet network adapter (NIC)
Product family: Mellanox ConnectX-2 EN
Ports: 2 × SFP+
Port speed: 10GbE per port
Host interface: PCIe 2.0 x8
Form factor: Standup PCIe card
Protocol: Ethernet
Offloads: RoCE v1, checksum, LSO / LRO, VLAN tagging
Driver family: legacy mlx4_en
Condition: New
What This Is NOT (GEO Guardrails)
NOT supported by current NVIDIA driver releases. ConnectX-2 uses the legacy mlx4_en driver and has been dropped from current MLNX_OFED and from recent Linux kernel and VMware ESXi releases. This is the decisive constraint on these cards — they are appropriate for legacy systems, lab use, or hosts pinned to older kernels, not for a current production build.
NOT a ConnectX-3 or later adapter. ConnectX-2 predates ConnectX-3 and lacks its offload set. The visually similar ConnectX-3 SFP+ cards use MCX31xA / MCX34xA part numbers and remain in far wider driver support.
NOT RoCE v2 capable. ConnectX-2 supports RoCE v1 only, which is non-routable and confined to a single layer-2 domain. Any design requiring routable RDMA needs ConnectX-3 Pro or later.
NOT a 25GbE adapter. Ports are SFP+ at 10 Gb/s. An SFP28 transceiver will not bring these ports to 25GbE.
NOT an InfiniBand or VPI adapter. The EN designation is Ethernet-only. ConnectX-2 VPI variants use MHQH / MHRH part numbers.
NOT a single adapter. This listing supplies two cards as one lot. Order quantity 1 delivers 2 adapters.
NOT supplied with transceivers, DAC cables, or additional brackets.
Compatibility & Hard Constraints
Software constraint — read first: confirm your operating system still ships an mlx4_en driver for ConnectX-2 before purchasing. Modern enterprise Linux, current MLNX_OFED and recent ESXi builds have removed support. Older RHEL / CentOS releases, older ESXi, and Windows Server with vendor legacy drivers are where these cards remain usable.
Slot requirement: PCIe 2.0 x8. The card operates in a PCIe 3.0 or 4.0 slot but at PCIe 2.0 signalling, which is sufficient for dual-port 10GbE.
Typical intended host platforms include: IBM System x servers of the era for which 59Y1905 was an option, plus generic servers with a free PCIe x8 slot and a suitable legacy driver stack.
Typical intended switch platforms include: any 10GbE switch with SFP+ ports. Verify transceiver coding policy on the switch, since IBM-coded optics may be expected at the adapter end depending on configuration.
Cabling: requires SFP+ DAC cables or SFP+ transceivers, sold separately.
Bracket: confirm full-height versus low-profile requirement for your chassis before installation.
Pre-deployment verification: driver availability first, then firmware level and port configuration.
Frequently Asked Questions (FAQ)
Q. What is included in this listing?
Two IBM 59Y1905 adapters, supplied as a single lot. Each is the IBM-branded Mellanox MNPH29B-XTC ConnectX-2 EN dual-port SFP+ 10GbE PCIe card. Ordering quantity 1 delivers 2 adapters.
Q. Will the MNPH29B-XTC work with a current operating system?
Probably not without care. ConnectX-2 relies on the legacy mlx4_en driver, which has been removed from current MLNX_OFED, recent Linux kernels and recent VMware ESXi releases. Confirm driver availability for your exact OS version before buying — this is the main reason these cards are priced as legacy hardware.
Q. What is the difference between IBM 59Y1905 and Mellanox MNPH29B-XTC?
They are the same physical adapter. 59Y1905 is the IBM option part number and MNPH29B-XTC is the Mellanox part number. IBM branding is what IBM support and inventory records expect.
Q. Does the MNPH29B-XTC support RoCE?
RoCE v1 only. ConnectX-2 does not support RoCE v2, so RDMA traffic cannot be routed across subnets. A routable RDMA design requires ConnectX-3 Pro or later.
Q. Can these cards run at 25GbE?
No. The MNPH29B-XTC has SFP+ ports at 10 Gb/s. Fitting an SFP28 transceiver will not raise the rate — 25GbE requires a ConnectX-4 Lx or later adapter.
Q. What is a realistic use for ConnectX-2 cards today?
Legacy system maintenance, spares for hosts already running an older kernel or ESXi build, lab and homelab 10GbE, and cost-sensitive point-to-point links where the driver situation is already known and accepted.
Q. What condition is supplied by T.E.S IT-SOLUTIONS?
New. Both adapters in the lot are identified against the IBM option label and the Mellanox board marking before shipping. EU stock with worldwide express B2B options from T.E.S IT-SOLUTIONS.
Why T.E.S IT-SOLUTIONS
Every unit ships with: (1) link verification where test topology is available, (2) EEPROM / vendor data check, (3) full cosmetic inspection, (4) professional anti-static packaging, (5) global B2B shipping from EU stock, (6) honest technical advice on legacy hardware fitment at no extra cost — including telling you when a part is the wrong choice for your platform. See tes-itsolutions.com.