NVIDIA Mellanox MBF2H516A-EENOT BlueField-2 SmartNIC (NVIDIA P/N: 900-9D219-0056-SQ0): This is a BlueField-2-class SmartNIC / data processing unit (DPU) combining a ConnectX-class network controller with an integrated ARM-based SoC for offloading networking, storage, and security workloads from the host CPU. It provides 100GbE / HDR100 InfiniBand VPI operation across Dual QSFP56 ports, with each port selectable for Ethernet or InfiniBand. This is a network adapter with onboard programmable cores; it is not a passive NIC, not a switch, and not an accelerator-only card. Hardware crypto acceleration is disabled on this unit; deployments requiring IPsec/TLS offload should select a crypto-enabled SKU. This is a refurbished unit.
Engineering Context
The MBF2H516A-EENOT integrates a 8-core BlueField-2 SoC, 16GB DDR4 ECC, 3200 MT/s, and a PCIe 4.0 x16 host interface. The dual Dual QSFP56 interface supports VPI: Ethernet (1/10/25/40/50/100Gb/s) & InfiniBand HDR100/SDR. As a BlueField-2 DPU, it can isolate infrastructure functions (overlay networking, NVMe-oF, firewalling, telemetry) on its embedded cores while the host CPU runs application workloads. The card requires a host slot delivering the full PCIe lane width and adequate airflow; the embedded SoC adds thermal load beyond a passive ConnectX adapter.
Deployment & Use Cases
Bare-metal cloud and multi-tenant infrastructure where east-west traffic is offloaded from the hypervisor. NVMe over Fabrics (NVMe-oF) target and initiator acceleration. Software-defined networking with OVS hardware offload, VXLAN/Geneve tunneling, and connection tracking. Inline storage encryption and host-isolated security appliances. InfiniBand-attached HPC and AI clusters where VPI flexibility is required.
Technical Specifications
- OEM: NVIDIA Mellanox
- Part Number (MPN): MBF2H516A-EENOT
- NVIDIA P/N: 900-9D219-0056-SQ0
- Family: BlueField-2 SmartNIC / DPU
- Network Interface: Dual QSFP56
- Data Rate / Protocol: VPI: Ethernet (1/10/25/40/50/100Gb/s) & InfiniBand HDR100/SDR
- Embedded Processor: 8-core BlueField-2 SoC
- Memory: 16GB DDR4 ECC, 3200 MT/s
- Host Interface: PCIe 4.0 x16
- Hardware Crypto Engine: Disabled
- Form Factor: Half-Height Half-Length plug-in card with tall bracket
- Condition: Refurbished — Tested by T.E.S IT-SOLUTIONS
Compatibility & Hard Constraints
Requires a host server with a PCIe 4.0 x16 slot of equivalent or greater capability and supported airflow direction. Compatible with NVIDIA DOCA software framework and NVIDIA OFED/MLNX_OFED drivers on supported Linux distributions. VPI port mode (Ethernet vs InfiniBand) is configurable per port via firmware tools; not all upstream switches accept both modes. This is a non-crypto SKU; it is not suitable where hardware-accelerated IPsec or TLS bulk encryption is mandatory. Optical or copper modules and cables are not included.
Why Choose T.E.S IT-SOLUTIONS
T.E.S IT-SOLUTIONS specializes in refurbished NVIDIA Mellanox networking hardware. Each BlueField-2 unit is functionally tested for link training, host enumeration, and basic offload paths before shipment. Handling time is 1–3 business days, with global tracked shipping and pre-sales compatibility consultation available at tes-itsolutions.com.