NVIDIA Mellanox MCX353A-FCAT ConnectX-3 VPI Adapter, Single-Port QSFP, FDR InfiniBand 56Gb/s and 40GbE: This is a single-port Virtual Protocol Interconnect (VPI) host channel adapter built on the Mellanox ConnectX-3 ASIC. The card supports both InfiniBand FDR (56Gb/s) and 40 Gigabit Ethernet on the same QSFP port via VPI auto-sensing. The host interface is PCIe 3.0 x8 8GT/s, and the card ships with a tall (full-height) bracket. This is NOT a dual-port card and NOT an EDR/HDR adapter; it is single-port FDR/40GbE only. This is a Refurbished unit, professionally tested by T.E.S IT-SOLUTIONS.
Engineering Context
VPI lets the QSFP port operate as either an InfiniBand FDR link (56 Gb/s) or 40 Gigabit Ethernet, selectable at runtime through driver configuration. ConnectX-3 supports RDMA over Converged Ethernet (RoCE v1), InfiniBand verbs, and stateless TCP offloads. The PCIe 3.0 x8 host link delivers approximately 63 Gbps of usable bandwidth, sufficient to feed a single FDR port at line rate. The full-height bracket fits standard 1U/2U PCIe slots; a low-profile bracket is optional via swap.
Deployment & Use Cases
HPC compute clusters running MPI workloads on FDR InfiniBand fabrics. Storage interconnect for parallel file systems such as Lustre and GPFS/Spectrum Scale. RDMA-accelerated database servers using RoCE on 40GbE. Hybrid IB/Ethernet head nodes that need a single-port adapter capable of switching protocol via VPI. Refresh of legacy QDR (40Gb IB) deployments to FDR (56Gb).
Technical Specifications
OEM: Mellanox / NVIDIA Networking
Part Number: MCX353A-FCAT
Controller: Mellanox ConnectX-3 (VPI)
Number of Ports: 1
Connector: QSFP
InfiniBand Rate: FDR 56 Gb/s
Ethernet Rate: 40 GbE
Host Interface: PCIe 3.0 x8 (8GT/s)
Bracket: Tall (full-height)
RDMA: InfiniBand verbs, RoCE v1
Compliance: RoHS R6
Condition: Refurbished — Tested by T.E.S IT-SOLUTIONS
Compatibility & Hard Constraints
Compatible with Mellanox MLNX_OFED, WinOF, and standard upstream Linux drivers. Operates with FDR InfiniBand switches (Mellanox SX6xxx series and SwitchIB SB7xxx) and 40GbE Ethernet switches (Mellanox SX1xxx series). Supports QSFP DAC, AOC, and SR4/LR4 optical transceivers (sold separately). Will NOT operate at EDR (100Gb) or HDR (200Gb) rates — this is an FDR-only adapter. Does NOT support InfiniBand QDR-only switches that lack FDR firmware. PCIe 3.0 x8 slot required to achieve full FDR line rate; PCIe 2.0 x8 will throttle throughput.
Why Choose T.E.S IT-SOLUTIONS
T.E.S IT-SOLUTIONS verifies link training, FDR port detection, and PCIe enumeration on every adapter. We provide expert consultation on InfiniBand fabric design and VPI configuration, global shipping, and comprehensive warranty. Browse our refurbished InfiniBand and Ethernet adapter catalog. Standard handling time is 1–3 business days.
Frequently Asked Questions
What host interface does the MCX353A-FCAT have?
The MCX353A-FCAT host interface is PCIe 3.0 x8 (8GT/s), as listed in the specifications for MCX353A-FCAT.
What is the MCX353A-FCAT NOT compatible with?
This is NOT a dual-port card and NOT an EDR/HDR adapter;. Confirm fitment against your platform before ordering MCX353A-FCAT.
What condition is the MCX353A-FCAT supplied in, and who sells it?
The MCX353A-FCAT is supplied in Refurbished condition by T.E.S IT-SOLUTIONS from EU stock, with 1-3 business day handling and worldwide B2B shipping. See https://www.tes-itsolutions.com/product-page/mellanox-mcx353a-fcat-connectx-3-vpi-adapter-card-single-port-qsfp-fdr-ib-40-56g.