NVIDIA ConnectX-6 Dx PCIe 4.0 x16 100 Gigabit QSFP56 x 2 Network Adapter

Overview

The NVIDIA MCX623106AS-CDAT is a high-performance network adapter designed for servers requiring fast data transfer without taxing the CPU. It fits into a PCIe 4.0 x16 slot and features two QSFP56 ports, each capable of delivering 100 Gigabit Ethernet speeds, combining for a total throughput of 200 Gbps. This adapter integrates seamlessly into existing network environments running 10, 25, 40, 50, or 100 GbE, enabling smooth upgrades to network infrastructure without major disruptions.

Its support for RDMA over Converged Ethernet version 2 allows near-zero latency data movement with minimal CPU load, making it ideal for distributed databases, high-performance computing clusters, and storage systems. The card also supports Single Root I/O Virtualization, enabling multiple virtual machines to share the adapter while maintaining direct hardware access and consistent network performance.

Key features

• PCIe 4.0 x16 interface provides high bandwidth between the host and adapter, ensuring fast data throughput.
• Dual QSFP56 ports deliver up to 100 GbE each, allowing a combined 200 Gbps for demanding network traffic.
• RDMA over Converged Ethernet v2 reduces latency and CPU overhead for efficient data transfers in high-performance environments.
• Single Root I/O Virtualization supports multiple virtual machines sharing the adapter with direct hardware access, enhancing virtualization efficiency.
• Offloads tunneling protocols such as VXLAN, NVGRE, and GENEVE to reduce CPU load when managing large overlay networks.
• Secure Boot and hardware root of trust protect firmware integrity from power-on, enhancing security in critical deployments.
• Low power consumption of approximately 13 watts helps data centers manage energy use without sacrificing performance.

Key specs

• Interface: PCIe 4.0 x16
• Ports: 2 x QSFP56
• Network speed per port: 100 Gigabit Ethernet
• Total throughput: 200 Gbps aggregate
• RDMA support: RoCE v2 (RDMA over Converged Ethernet version 2)
• Virtualization: Single Root I/O Virtualization (SR-IOV)
• Tunnel offload protocols: VXLAN, NVGRE, GENEVE
• Power consumption: approximately 13 watts

Connectivity and compatibility

This adapter is designed to fit into servers with PCIe 4.0 x16 slots and supports a wide range of Ethernet speeds commonly used in modern data centers. Its dual QSFP56 ports enable connection to high-speed network fabrics, making it compatible with existing 10, 25, 40, 50, and 100 GbE infrastructures. The card’s virtualization and tunneling offload features make it well suited for cloud platforms, virtual desktop infrastructures, and large-scale storage clusters.

Performance and reliability

With RDMA over Converged Ethernet v2, the adapter minimizes latency and CPU load during data transfers, which is critical for performance-sensitive applications like AI training and distributed computing. The hardware root of trust and Secure Boot features ensure firmware integrity, reducing the risk of unauthorized modifications and enhancing overall system security. Its efficient power usage supports data center environments where energy consumption is a key consideration.

Ideal uses and environments

This network adapter is a strong choice for data centers focused on high-throughput, low-latency networking. It fits well in setups dedicated to AI training, virtualization platforms, and scale-out storage solutions. Organizations looking to upgrade their network backbone to 100 GbE speeds without replacing existing infrastructure will find this adapter particularly useful. Its virtualization and security features also make it suitable for enterprise cloud environments and multi-tenant deployments.