Lenovo ThinkSystem Mellanox ConnectX-4 Lx 10/25GbE SFP28 2-Port OCP Ethernet Adapter

The Lenovo ThinkSystem Mellanox ConnectX-4 Lx 10/25GbE SFP28 2-Port OCP Ethernet Adapter delivers enterprise-grade networking for modern data centers. Built on Mellanox ConnectX-4 Lx technology, this dual-port network interface card (NIC) provides high throughput, ultra-low latency, and intelligent offloads that accelerate demanding workloads across virtualization, databases, storage, and high-performance computing. Specifically designed for Lenovo ThinkSystem servers, it integrates seamlessly with ThinkSystem networking ecosystems, enabling flexible deployment in dense data-center environments. With 10 and 25 GbE per port through SFP28 connectors, you gain scalable bandwidth options while preserving CPU cycles for compute tasks. The ConnectX-4 Lx family also introduces Virtual Protocol Interconnect (VPI) capabilities, allowing you to switch between Ethernet and InfiniBand fabrics without changing hardware, future-proofing your investment as your fabric strategy evolves. This is especially valuable in cloud-native deployments, data analytics pipelines, and HPC clusters where fabric flexibility and performance are critical. In short, this adapter blends top-tier performance with versatile protocol support to empower Lenovo ThinkSystem environments with resilient, adaptable networking.

• Dual-port 10/25 GbE SFP28 performance: Each port supports 10 GbE and 25 GbE speeds via SFP28, delivering up to a theoretical 50 Gbps of aggregate bandwidth. This enables high-speed data movement across servers, storage nodes, and hyper-converged infrastructures, while keeping latency low for real-time analytics and transactional workloads. The architecture includes hardware offloads that reduce CPU overhead, freeing CPU resources for application processing and virtualization tasks.
• OCP 2-port form factor for dense deployments: The adapter is designed in the Open Compute Project (OCP) form factor, enabling easy installation into compatible ThinkSystem servers and other supported chassis. Its compact, two-port card optimizes space in dense data-center racks, enhances cabling simplicity, and supports scalable growth as traffic grows. This means you can expand network capacity without sacrificing rack space or complicating server configurations.
• VPI capability with Ethernet and InfiniBand flexibility: ConnectX-4 Lx supports Virtual Protocol Interconnect (VPI), empowering you to configure the NIC for either Ethernet or InfiniBand fabrics as your workload and topology require. This flexibility reduces the need for separate adapters if your data center evolves from Ethernet to InfiniBand or runs multiple fabrics in parallel. VPI enables seamless protocol switching, integration with virtualization technologies, and smoother migration paths for mixed-traffic environments.
• Low latency, high throughput with advanced offloads: Designed for latency-sensitive and bandwidth-heavy workloads, the ConnectX-4 Lx offers robust offload capabilities, including TCP/IP offloads and RDMA options over RoCEv2, which help minimize CPU usage and accelerate network-intensive applications. These features are especially beneficial for virtualization platforms (VMs and containers), storage protocols (iSCSI and NVMe/TCP), and high-performance computing (HPC) clusters where every microsecond matters.
• Optimal for a wide range of use cases in ThinkSystem environments: Whether you’re deploying virtualized servers, large-scale databases, cloud-native applications, or HPC workloads, this adapter provides dependable performance and fabric versatility. Its compatibility with Lenovo ThinkSystem infrastructure, together with broad driver and firmware support, makes it a reliable cornerstone for data-center networking. Expect improved workload density, predictable performance, and simplified management across your ThinkSystem deployment.

Technical Details of Lenovo ThinkSystem Mellanox ConnectX-4 Lx 10/25GbE SFP28 2-Port OCP Ethernet Adapter

• Form factor: OCP 2.0 two-port Ethernet adapter
• Ports: 2 x SFP28 (10/25 GbE)
• Host interface: PCIe 3.0 x8 (typical) for robust bandwidth to the server
• Data rates: 10 GbE and 25 GbE per port (up to 50 Gb/s total aggregated)
• Protocols and fabrics: Ethernet and InfiniBand via Virtual Protocol Interconnect (VPI)
• Networking features: RoCEv2 RDMA capable; hardware offloads for TCP/IP and related protocols
• Software support: Mellanox/NVIDIA drivers and firmware updates for Linux and Windows environments; Lenovo support integration
• Compatibility notes: Designed for Lenovo ThinkSystem servers and compatible with standard data-center networking practices
• cabling requirements: Requires compatible SFP28 transceivers or DAC cables (not included)

How to Install Lenovo ThinkSystem Mellanox ConnectX-4 Lx 10/25GbE SFP28 2-Port OCP Ethernet Adapter

• Power down the server and disconnect all power sources to ensure a safe installation.
• Open the server chassis and locate a compatible Lenovo ThinkSystem OCP slot that supports the 2-port Mellanox ConnectX-4 Lx card.
• Gently align the adapter with the slot and seating holes, then firmly insert the card until it is fully seated and secured with mounting hardware or screws as required by your chassis.
• Connect the appropriate SFP28 transceivers or direct-attach cables (DAC) to the two ports, ensuring the cables are routed cleanly to your network devices to minimize tension and interference.
• Power up the server and install the latest Mellanox/NVIDIA drivers and firmware suitable for your operating system. Update firmware as recommended by Lenovo and Mellanox to ensure optimal performance and feature compatibility.
• Configure the network interfaces in your operating system or hypervisor (for example, enabling 10/25 GbE adapters, setting MTU, and enabling RDMA where applicable). Validate connectivity with basic network tests and performance benchmarks.

Frequently Asked Questions

• Q: What speeds does the Lenovo ThinkSystem Mellanox ConnectX-4 Lx 2-Port OCP Ethernet Adapter support?
• A: Each of the two ports supports 10 GbE and 25 GbE through SFP28 connectors, allowing flexible performance options and scalable bandwidth per server.
• Q: Is this adapter compatible with Lenovo ThinkSystem servers?
• A: Yes. The adapter is designed for Lenovo ThinkSystem infrastructure and integrates with ThinkSystem networking features and management tools, providing reliable performance in Dell or non-ThinkSystem environments where supported.
• Q: Does it support RDMA or high-performance fabrics?
• A: The ConnectX-4 Lx family includes RDMA-capable features (RoCEv2) and VPI, enabling flexible interconnects and low-latency data transfers suitable for virtualization, storage, and HPC workloads.
• Q: What cables or transceivers are required?
• A: You will need compatible SFP28 transceivers for your distance requirements or DAC cables. These components are typically not included with the adapter and must be sourced separately to match your network topology.
• Q: Where can I download drivers and firmware?
• A: Download drivers and firmware from the official Mellanox/NVIDIA networking site or through Lenovo’s support portal for ThinkSystem, ensuring you select the versions compatible with your operating system and hardware configuration.