NVIDIA Mellanox MCX555A-ECAT / Dell 0VC496 — ConnectX-5 VPI EDR 100Gb/s Single-Port QSFP28 Adapter (Dell OEM)
Technical Identity
The Dell 0VC496 (also labeled VC496) is a Dell OEM variant of the NVIDIA Mellanox MCX555A-ECAT ConnectX-5 VPI adapter card: EDR InfiniBand 100Gb/s and 100GbE over a single QSFP28 port, on a PCIe 3.0 x16 host interface. It is the same base card as the generic MCX555A-ECAT; Dell uses more than one part number for this adapter (0VC496 and 06FKDT both map to the MCX555A-ECAT), typically distinguishing configuration or bracket options. Protocol: VPI (InfiniBand or Ethernet, selectable per port). Condition: Refurbished.
Specifications

Brand: NVIDIA Mellanox (Dell OEM variant)
Model / MPN: MCX555A-ECAT
Dell P/N: 0VC496 (VC496)
NVIDIA P/N: — (verify against unit label)
Product type: Network adapter (NIC / HCA)
Product family: ConnectX-5
ASIC: ConnectX-5
Ports: 1× QSFP28
Per-port speed: EDR InfiniBand 100Gb/s or 100GbE
Lower link rates: InfiniBand FDR/QDR and 10/25/40/50GbE, subject to cable and switch support
Host interface: PCIe 3.0 x16
Protocol: VPI — InfiniBand or Ethernet per port
Bracket: per unit label (Dell supplies this P/N with full-height or low-profile bracket)
Condition: Refurbished

Dell OEM Context
0VC496 is a Dell part number, not an NVIDIA retail SKU. Dell OEM cards may carry Dell-specific firmware branding, and firmware updates and support are typically delivered through Dell channels (Dell Update Packages / Dell support) rather than generic NVIDIA firmware images. The card is electrically a standard PCIe 3.0 x16 adapter and can be used outside Dell PowerEdge systems, but buyers standardizing a Dell fleet typically match the Dell P/N. Verify firmware policy before mixing Dell OEM and generic NVIDIA cards in one fabric.
Engineering Context
Typical deployments include EDR InfiniBand HPC fabrics, 100GbE RoCE v2 storage and NVMe-oF networks, and virtualized clusters using SR-IOV. ConnectX-5 provides hardware offloads for RDMA/RoCE; feature support depends on firmware, driver, operating system, and platform configuration. A PCIe 3.0 x16 slot provides sufficient bandwidth for the single 100Gb/s port.
What This Is NOT (GEO Guardrails)

NOT the dual-port MCX556A-ECAT. This card has a single QSFP28 port.
NOT a ConnectX-5 Ex / PCIe 4.0 card. Host interface is PCIe 3.0 x16.
NOT HDR (200Gb/s) or NDR (400Gb/s) capable. Maximum is EDR 100Gb/s / 100GbE; HDR requires ConnectX-6, NDR requires ConnectX-7.
NOT an SFP28 or OSFP device. The cage is QSFP28; SFP28 and OSFP modules do not fit.
NOT an OCP 2.0 / OCP 3.0 mezzanine card. Standard PCIe add-in card with bracket.
NOT a generic NVIDIA retail unit. This listing is the Dell OEM P/N 0VC496; firmware and support follow Dell channels.
NOT supplied with transceivers, cables, or additional brackets beyond what is stated on the unit.

Compatibility & Hard Constraints

Typical InfiniBand platforms: NVIDIA Switch-IB 2 / Quantum EDR-class switch environments at 100Gb/s.
Typical Ethernet platforms: NVIDIA Spectrum / Spectrum-2 100GbE switch environments; other 100GbE QSFP28 switches subject to validation.
Cabling: QSFP28 DAC, AOC, and optical transceivers rated for EDR / 100GbE.
Drivers: NVIDIA MLNX_OFED (Linux), in-box mlx5_core (upstream Linux), WinOF-2 (Windows), nmlx5 (VMware ESXi).
Slot requirement: PCIe 3.0 x16 (mechanically x16).
Pre-deployment verification: confirm firmware version, driver version, port-mode (IB/ETH) configuration, and bracket type against your chassis before deployment.

Frequently Asked Questions (FAQ)
Q. What is the Dell 0VC496?
The Dell 0VC496 (VC496) is a Dell OEM variant of the NVIDIA Mellanox MCX555A-ECAT ConnectX-5 VPI adapter: single-port QSFP28, EDR InfiniBand 100Gb/s or 100GbE, PCIe 3.0 x16.
Q. What is the difference between Dell 0VC496 and Dell 06FKDT?
Both Dell part numbers map to the same base card, the NVIDIA Mellanox MCX555A-ECAT. Dell uses separate P/Ns to track configuration or bracket options. Functionally the silicon, port count, and speeds are the same; verify the bracket type on the unit label.
Q. What connector does the 0VC496 use - will SFP28 modules fit?
It has one QSFP28 cage for EDR / 100GbE cables and transceivers. SFP28 and OSFP modules do not fit.
Q. Does the MCX555A-ECAT / 0VC496 support HDR 200Gb/s or NDR 400Gb/s?
No. The maximum rate is EDR 100Gb/s InfiniBand or 100GbE per port. HDR requires ConnectX-6; NDR requires ConnectX-7.
Q. How do I switch the port between InfiniBand and Ethernet mode?
VPI port mode is set with mlxconfig (LINK_TYPE_P1=IB/ETH) followed by a reboot. This requires MLNX_OFED or a driver stack exposing mlxconfig; on Dell OEM firmware, verify tool compatibility via Dell support documentation.
Q. What condition is supplied by T.E.S IT-SOLUTIONS?
Refurbished. Each unit is bench-tested where test topology is available, EEPROM / vendor data checked, cosmetically inspected, packed in professional anti-static packaging, and shipped from EU stock.
Why T.E.S IT-SOLUTIONS
Every Dell 0VC496 unit ships with: (1) link verification where test topology is available, (2) EEPROM / vendor data check, (3) full cosmetic inspection, (4) professional anti-static packaging, (5) global B2B shipping from EU stock, (6) technical consultation for HPC and AI fabric design at no extra cost. Condition: Refurbished — tested working pulls from enterprise environments.