NVIDIA Mellanox® MFA1A00-E003 100Gb/s InfiniBand EDR QSFP28 Active Optical Cable, 3m: This is a 3-meter active optical cable (AOC) engineered for 100Gb/s InfiniBand EDR (Enhanced Data Rate) point-to-point interconnectivity. The cable uses VCSEL optics over multi-mode fiber with a Low Smoke Zero Halogen (LSZH) jacket. This is a fixed-length integrated assembly with QSFP28 connectors at both ends, not a transceiver with a detachable patch cord and not a passive copper DAC. This is a refurbished unit.
Engineering Context
EDR signals at 25.78125 Gb/s per lane across 4 lanes (4x 25.78125 Gb/s) for an effective 100Gb/s line rate. Active optical construction provides complete EMI immunity and consistent insertion loss across the run, important for long-term BER stability in dense racks adjacent to power distribution. Optical assemblies weigh substantially less than equivalent copper bundles and present negligible mechanical stress on switch cages. The LSZH jacket releases minimal smoke and no halogenated gases when exposed to heat, supporting strict data center fire safety codes.
Deployment & Use Cases
EDR InfiniBand fabrics in High-Performance Computing (HPC) clusters where MPI latency and bandwidth predictability matter. AI training clusters built on ConnectX-4/5/6 VPI adapters and Switch-IB 2 or Quantum switches. Storage area networks (SAN) running InfiniBand RDMA. Inter-rack connectivity from EDR Leaf to Spine layers within a single data hall.
Technical Specifications
OEM: NVIDIA Mellanox
Part Number: MFA1A00-E003
NVIDIA P/N: 980-9I13F-00E003
Form Factor: QSFP28 to QSFP28 (Point-to-Point)
Data Rate: 100Gb/s InfiniBand EDR (4x 25.78125 Gb/s)
Cable Type: Active Optical Cable (AOC), Multi-Mode Fiber
Length: 3m
Jacket: LSZH (Low Smoke Zero Halogen)
Protocol: InfiniBand EDR
Condition: Refurbished — Tested by T.E.S IT-SOLUTIONS
Compatibility & Hard Constraints
Compatible with NVIDIA Mellanox Switch-IB 2 (SB7700, SB7800) and Quantum (QM8700) InfiniBand switches, and ConnectX-4 VPI, ConnectX-5 VPI, and ConnectX-6 VPI host channel adapters with ports configured for native 100Gb/s InfiniBand EDR. Not coded for 100GbE Ethernet ports; for Ethernet use the MFA1A00-C0xx Ethernet-coded equivalent. Not compatible with FDR-only ports at full EDR rate (will fall back if negotiation succeeds). Not compatible with Omni-Path Architecture (OPA) hardware. Fixed 3m length; cannot be extended. Maintain a minimum bend radius of 30mm to avoid micro-fractures in the optical fibers.
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. We provide expert consultation on EDR fabric design, global shipping, and a comprehensive warranty. Orders ship within 1–3 business days from confirmation.