HPE Mellanox MCX631102AS-ADAT 10/25Gb Ethernet 2-Port SFP28 Adapter

The HPE Mellanox MCX631102AS-ADAT Ethernet Adapter is a dual-port SFP28 card engineered to unlock high-speed, flexible networking for HPE servers. Designed for modern data centers, this 10/25 GbE adapter elevates uplinks, accelerates storage access, and streamlines data movement across demanding workloads. Built on Mellanox technology, it combines robust hardware offloads, smart virtualization features, and enterprise-grade reliability to deliver consistent throughput with low latency. Whether you’re deploying a cloud-ready infrastructure, expanding a high-performance compute cluster, or densifying a rack with heavy networking traffic, this adapter is purpose-built to maximize server performance and network efficiency.

With its dual-port SFP28 design, the MCX631102AS-ADAT provides scalable bandwidth that adapts to evolving requirements. It supports both 10 GbE and 25 GbE speeds per port, enabling flexible uplinks and efficient storage access across a wide range of workloads. The adapter is optimized for HPE server ecosystems, ensuring seamless integration with HPE management tools, drivers, and firmware updates. By offloading networking tasks from the CPU, it helps free compute cycles for applications, improves overall system responsiveness, and reduces latency in latency-sensitive environments such as virtualization, databases, and HPC workloads.

Engineered for reliability in dense data center environments, this Mellanox adapter offers industry-leading efficiency and forward-looking features. It supports advanced networking technologies such as RDMA over Converged Ethernet (RoCE) for ultra-low latency communication, as well as SR-IOV and other virtualization capabilities that simplify multi-tenant deployments. The result is a scalable, performance-driven networking solution that delivers deterministic performance under heavy workloads, supports high-availability configurations, and ensures compatibility with modern Ethernet fabrics and storage networks.

Administrators will appreciate the streamlined management experience, with driver support and software stacks that align with Mellanox/NVIDIA offerings. The MCX631102AS-ADAT is designed to fit into standard PCIe slots in a wide range of HPE servers, delivering plug-and-play deployment alongside conventional network infrastructure. It enables flexibility in how you design network topologies—whether you are aggregating links for increased throughput, creating dedicated storage networks, or enabling fast, low-latency data paths between compute nodes and storage arrays. This versatile 10/25 GbE adapter helps you future-proof your infrastructure while delivering immediate performance gains for today’s workloads.

• Dual-port SFP28 Ethernet adapter delivering flexible 10/25 GbE connectivity per port, enabling scalable uplinks, faster storage access, and accelerated data movement across modern data centers. The design supports simultaneous multi-path networking, traffic segmentation, and efficient workload distribution to maximize server throughput and reduce bottlenecks.
• Optimized for HPE servers with proven reliability in enterprise and data-center environments. It integrates with HPE management tooling, firmware update cycles, and system-level optimization features to simplify deployment and ongoing administration while preserving compatibility with established virtualization and storage workflows.
• Low CPU overhead and robust offloads, including RTS/RDMA capabilities and virtualization support (such as SR-IOV). These features reduce host CPU utilization, improve latency, and enable efficient multi-tenant virtualization scenarios, making it ideal for cloud, database, and high-performance workloads.
• Flexible uplink and storage access options, allowing you to design high-throughput networks that can scale with your growth. The 10/25 GbE combination supports QoS, VLAN tagging, and traffic prioritization to ensure critical workloads receive the bandwidth they require while maintaining overall network efficiency.
• Managed and upgrade-friendly with strong driver and firmware support from Mellanox/NVIDIA. This ensures compatibility with evolving Ethernet standards, easy integration into existing network fabrics, and streamlined driver updates to keep performance optimized over time.

Technical Details of HPE Mellanox MCX631102AS-ADAT

• Ports: 2 x SFP28 ports supporting 10/25 GbE per port for flexible, scalable Ethernet connectivity.
• Host Interface: PCIe 3.0 x8 (typical for high-throughput NICs) enabling ample bandwidth to keep up with 25 GbE networking.
• Network Features: Supports RoCE and other acceleration/offload features to reduce latency and CPU overhead in demanding environments; SR-IOV and virtualization-ready capabilities for multi-tenant deployments.
• Compatibility: Designed for HPE servers and the broader Mellanox/NVIDIA Ethernet software stack, with drivers and firmware aligned for reliable operation in enterprise data centers and HPC clusters.
• Form Factor: PCIe Add-In Card suitable for standard server PCIe slots; optimized for dense data-center chassis and a variety of HPE platform configurations.

how to install HPE Mellanox MCX631102AS-ADAT

Step 1: Power down the server, disconnect external power, and follow standard static-electricity precautions to protect sensitive components.

Step 2: Remove the server chassis cover or access panel as required by your hardware vendor’s guidelines, and locate an appropriate PCIe x8 (or higher) slot with available adjacent bandwidth for PCIe lanes.

Step 3: Insert the MCX631102AS-ADAT into the PCIe slot, ensuring the card is firmly seated and the retention mechanism (bracket screw) is secured. If necessary, align the card to the appropriate slot height and secure it to the chassis.

Step 4: Connect the chosen SFP28 optics or Direct Attach Cables (DAC) to the two SFP28 ports. Route cabling to networking gear, storage targets, or switch fabric according to your topology.

Step 5: Reassemble the server chassis, reconnect power, and boot the system. Enter the operating system to install the required Mellanox/NVIDIA Ethernet drivers and firmware packages.

Step 6: Install or update the network driver suite from the vendor’s repository, verify device recognition in the OS, and configure the interfaces (IP addressing, VLANs, QoS, and any SR-IOV virtual functions) as per your network design.

Step 7: Validate the installation with basic connectivity checks (ping, layer 2/3 reachability) and run throughput/latency tests to confirm expected performance. Update firmware if recommended by Mellanox/NVIDIA for your hardware and firmware baseline.

Step 8: Document the configuration for future maintenance, monitor link status and error counters, and integrate with your existing network monitoring tools for ongoing performance visibility.

Frequently asked questions

• Q: What speeds does this adapter support per port? A: Each of the two SFP28 ports supports 10 GbE or 25 GbE, enabling flexible bandwidth configurations and scalable uplinks for server-to-network connectivity.
• Q: Is this card compatible with non-HPE servers? A: The card is designed for HPE servers and integrates with HPE management ecosystems. It uses standard SFP28 interfaces, and Mellanox/NVIDIA driver support is available for various environments, but full OEM-level integration is optimized for HPE platforms.
• Q: Does it support virtualization features like SR-IOV? A: Yes. The MCX631102AS-ADAT includes virtualization-ready capabilities such as SR-IOV, enabling efficient multi-tenant networking and reduced CPU overhead in virtualized workloads.
• Q: What about latency and throughput for storage and compute workloads? A: The adapter is designed to minimize latency with RDMA-capable paths and offloads, delivering high-throughput 10/25 GbE performance while reducing CPU interrupt rates and improving overall application responsiveness in storage and compute-intensive environments.
• Q: What optics or cables are recommended? A: Use compatible SFP28 optics or DAC cables specified for 25 GbE operation. Optics should meet vendor recommendations for the intended cable length and network topology, ensuring optimal signal integrity and performance.