NVIDIA Mellanox MFA1A00-C005 100GbE QSFP28 Active Optical Cable, 5m LSZH: This is a 5-meter active optical cable (AOC) engineered for 100Gb/s Ethernet (100GbE) point-to-point interconnectivity. The cable uses VCSEL optics over multi-mode fiber with a Low Smoke Zero Halogen (LSZH) jacket for data centers with strict fire safety requirements. This is a fixed-length integrated assembly, not a transceiver with a detachable patch cord. This is a refurbished single unit.
Engineering Context
The MFA1A00-C005 is sized for intra-rack and short cross-rack 100GbE links. At 5 meters, it covers ToR-to-server and adjacent-rack runs where passive copper bulk and weight start becoming impractical. The cable is lightweight and puts negligible stress on switch ports compared to copper bundles. It provides complete EMI immunity, essential when routing near power distribution units. The LSZH jacket ensures compliance with strict data center fire safety codes. BER is rated at less than 1E-15.
Deployment & Use Cases
Top-of-Rack 100GbE switch to server NIC connectivity. ConnectX-4/5/6 host links to Spectrum SN2000/SN3000/SN4000 switches. Compute-to-storage interconnect within a single hot/cold aisle. Spine-leaf Ethernet patches in dense LSZH-mandated rooms.
Technical Specifications
OEM: NVIDIA Mellanox
Part Number: MFA1A00-C005
Form Factor: QSFP28 to QSFP28 (Point-to-Point)
Data Rate: 100GbE (4× 25Gb/s NRZ)
Cable Type: Active Optical Cable (AOC)
Length: 5m
Jacket: LSZH (Low Smoke Zero Halogen)
Protocol: 100GbE Ethernet
BER: <1E-15
Condition: Refurbished — Tested by T.E.S IT-SOLUTIONS
Compatibility & Hard Constraints
Compatible with NVIDIA Spectrum series switches (SN2000, SN3000, SN4000) and ConnectX-4, ConnectX-5, ConnectX-6 Dx EN adapters. Requires ports configured for 100GbE Ethernet. Not compatible with InfiniBand EDR ports unless the switch supports VPI mode reconfiguration. Not compatible with SFP28 ports or standard 40GbE ports without FEC adjustments. This is a direct QSFP28-to-QSFP28 cable; does not support breakout. Fixed 5m length.
Why Choose T.E.S IT-SOLUTIONS
T.E.S IT-SOLUTIONS tests every AOC for optical power output, lane integrity, and connector condition before shipment. Visit tes-itsolutions.com for our complete Mellanox cable catalog. Standard handling time is 1–3 business days with global shipping options.