NVIDIA Mellanox MCA1J00-H003E HDR 200Gb/s Active Copper Cable, QSFP56 to QSFP56, 3m: This is a 3-meter active copper cable (ACC) engineered for 200Gb/s HDR InfiniBand point-to-point links. The cable uses signal conditioning electronics in each connector to extend reach beyond passive copper at HDR rates. This is an active copper cable, not a passive DAC and not an active optical cable (AOC). This is a refurbished unit with the yellow pulltab common to NVIDIA HDR active copper SKUs.
Engineering Context
The MCA1J00-H003E sits between passive copper (MCP1650 series, short reach at HDR) and AOC/optics for in-rack and short top-of-rack to spine runs at HDR rates. Active copper preserves the energy efficiency advantage of copper while extending reliable reach at 200Gb/s. The cable terminates in QSFP56 form factor at both ends with HDR-class signal conditioning. Backward compatible operation at HDR100 (100Gb/s, 4x25G NRZ), EDR (100Gb/s), and FDR (56Gb/s) is supported when paired with appropriate adapters and switches.
Deployment & Use Cases
In-rack server-to-leaf HDR InfiniBand links in NVIDIA DGX and HGX clusters. Short ToR-to-aggregation jumpers in HDR fabrics where passive copper reach is insufficient. AI training and HPC clusters using ConnectX-6 VPI HDR adapters with QM8700 and QM8790 Quantum switches. RoCEv2 storage backends running over HDR. Test bench and lab environments where signal integrity at 200Gb/s over 3m must be guaranteed without optical termination.
Technical Specifications
- OEM: NVIDIA Mellanox
- Part Number: MCA1J00-H003E
- Cable Type: Active Copper Cable (ACC)
- Form Factor: QSFP56 to QSFP56
- Data Rate: 200Gb/s HDR (4x50G PAM4)
- Length: 3m
- Pulltab Color: Yellow
- Protocol: InfiniBand HDR (backward compatible to HDR100, EDR, FDR)
- Reach Class: Active short-reach copper
- Condition: Refurbished — Tested by T.E.S IT-SOLUTIONS
Compatibility & Hard Constraints
Compatible with NVIDIA Quantum HDR switches (QM8700, QM8790) and ConnectX-6 VPI/HDR adapters. Operates at HDR100 with HDR100-capable endpoints. NOT compatible with NDR (400Gb/s) ports — the QSFP56 connector is mechanically distinct from OSFP and QSFP-DD and does not deliver the 200G-PAM4 per-lane signaling required by NDR. NOT a passive cable; the embedded signal conditioning electronics require power from the host port. Direct QSFP56-to-QSFP56 only; no breakout. Fixed 3m length.
Frequently Asked Questions (FAQ)
Q. What is the MCA1J00-H003E?
The MCA1J00-H003E is an Active Copper Cable (ACC) with QSFP56 connectors, rated for HDR 200Gb/s, 3m.
Q. Is this copper or optical?
Active Copper Cable (ACC) - copper, not fiber, and contains signal-conditioning electronics.
Q. Will T.E.S IT-SOLUTIONS confirm the configuration of MCA1J00-H003E before shipping?
Yes. T.E.S IT-SOLUTIONS (tes-itsolutions.com) bench-tests each unit where test topology is available, before dispatch from EU stock.
Why Choose T.E.S IT-SOLUTIONS
T.E.S IT-SOLUTIONS bench-tests every active copper cable for link training, signal integrity, and connector retention before dispatch. We provide expert consultation on HDR InfiniBand cabling, global shipping, and a 1–3 business day handling time. Visit tes-itsolutions.com for current stock across the NVIDIA HDR cable family.