Identity & Definition
The NVIDIA Mellanox MTS3600Q-1UNC is a 1U rackmount QDR InfiniBand switch in the enterprise InfiniBand switching category. Built on the InfiniScale IV ASIC, this unmanaged switch provides 36 QSFP ports at QDR (40 Gb/s) InfiniBand speeds. This is an InfiniBand-only switch — it does NOT support Ethernet. The MTS3600Q-1UNC ships with a single power supply, standard depth chassis, and rail kit. Condition: Refurbished.
Engineering Context
Each of the 36 QSFP ports delivers QDR InfiniBand at 40 Gb/s (4x 10 Gb/s lanes), providing 1.44 Tb/s aggregate non-blocking bandwidth. The InfiniScale IV ASIC delivers sub-100 ns port-to-port latency with hardware-based QoS, adaptive routing support, and auto-negotiation. The switch supports a 48K-entry linear forwarding database. As an unmanaged variant, the MTS3600Q-1UNC requires an external Subnet Manager running on a host node — the console, Ethernet, and USB ports on the chassis are non-functional on unmanaged models.
Deployment & Use Cases
HPC cluster InfiniBand fabric at QDR speeds for MPI-based parallel computing and RDMA workloads. Top-of-rack switching for up to 36 compute nodes with QDR InfiniBand connectivity. Scientific computing clusters running molecular dynamics, CFD, or weather simulation. Legacy QDR fabric maintenance and expansion in environments where DDR-to-QDR upgrades are underway. Budget-conscious HPC deployments where 40 Gb/s per-port bandwidth meets workload requirements.
Technical Specifications
OEM: NVIDIA Mellanox
Part Number: MTS3600Q-1UNC
ASIC: InfiniScale IV
Protocol: QDR InfiniBand (40 Gb/s per port)
Ports: 36x QSFP
Aggregate Bandwidth: 1.44 Tb/s
Latency: Sub-100 ns port-to-port
Management: Unmanaged (requires external Subnet Manager)
Form Factor: 1U rackmount
Dimensions: 1.7" H x 17.5" W x 23.8" D
Weight: Approximately 10 kg (22 lb)
Power: Single AC PSU
Airflow: PSU side to connector side
Condition: Refurbished — Tested by T.E.S IT-SOLUTIONS
Compatibility & Hard Constraints
InfiniBand only — does NOT support Ethernet. QDR only (40 Gb/s) — not FDR-10, not FDR, not EDR/HDR/NDR. DDR endpoints connected to this switch will negotiate down to DDR speeds. Single PSU — no N+1 power redundancy; for dual PSU, use MTS3600Q-2UNC variant. Unmanaged — console, Ethernet, and USB management ports are non-functional; firmware updates require I2C or in-band MFT tools. For a managed variant with Chassis Management and Subnet Manager, use MTS3600Q-1BNC. Predecessor: SDR/DDR InfiniBand switches. Successor: FDR-10 switches (MSX6036T series with SwitchX-2 ASIC).
Why Choose T.E.S IT-SOLUTIONS
T.E.S IT-SOLUTIONS (tes-itsolutions.com) lab-tests every switch for full port validation and PSU verification. Technical consultation available for InfiniBand fabric design and QDR-to-FDR migration planning. Global shipping with 1–3 business day handling.