Lenovo ThinkSystem Mellanox ConnectX-4 PCIe FDR 1-Port QSFP VPI Adapter

LenovoSKU: 5076730

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Sale price$1,173.69

Description

Lenovo ThinkSystem Mellanox ConnectX-4 PCIe FDR 1-Port QSFP VPI Adapter

Elevate your data center performance with the Lenovo ThinkSystem Mellanox ConnectX-4 PCIe FDR 1-Port QSFP VPI Adapter. Designed for high-demand server environments, this versatile adapter delivers ultra-low latency, exceptional throughput, and flexible connectivity through a single QSFP port. Built on Mellanox ConnectX-4 technology, the card supports both Ethernet and InfiniBand traffic via Virtual Protocol Interconnect (VPI), making it ideal for latency-sensitive workloads, virtualized environments, and scalable storage architectures. Whether you’re deploying a traditional Ethernet fabric, InfiniBand cluster, or a hybrid mix, this adapter optimizes data movement, accelerates communications between servers, and helps maximize the efficiency of your Lenovo ThinkSystem servers.

  • High-performance connectivity for dense data centers: The ConnectX-4 PCIe FDR adapter enables ultra-fast data transfer with support for 40 Gb Ethernet and InfiniBand FDR capabilities, delivering exceptional bandwidth and low latency for demanding workloads such as HPC, AI training, and large-scale virtualization. Its design emphasizes low CPU overhead and efficient data movement, helping your servers handle bandwidth-intensive tasks with ease.
  • Virtual Protocol Interconnect (VPI) for flexible networking: With VPI, this adapter can operate as InfiniBand or Ethernet depending on your fabric needs. This flexibility allows data centers to consolidate networking options on a single PCIe slot, simplifying fabric management and enabling rapid reconfiguration as workloads evolve. VPI support makes it a strong choice for mixed environments that require both RDMA and traditional networking alongside virtualization-friendly protocols.
  • Single 1-Port QSFP form factor for scalable fabrics: The QSFP interface provides a compact, high-density connection that can be wired to a compatible switch fabric, enabling rapid scaling of data-center interconnects. This design is ideal for blade servers and dense compute nodes where space, power, and cabling efficiency matter most. As workloads grow, you can extend your fabric without adding multiple cards per server.
  • Low latency and RDMA-ready acceleration: ConnectX-4’s hardware offloads reduce CPU intervention for data movement, accelerating latency-critical applications and improving network efficiency. With RDMA capabilities, you can achieve near-zero-copy data transfers, smooth MPI communications in HPC clusters, and improved performance for storage networks that rely on fast, reliable packet delivery.
  • Comprehensive driver and ecosystem support for broad compatibility: The adapter is supported by the Mellanox/NVIDIA driver ecosystem, offering robust Linux and Windows compatibility, enterprise-grade management tools, and ongoing firmware updates. This ensures stable operation in virtualized environments (including SR-IOV scenarios) and compatibility with a wide range of servers and operating systems found in Lenovo ThinkSystem deployments.

Technical Details of Lenovo ThinkSystem Mellanox ConnectX-4 PCIe FDR 1-Port QSFP VPI Adapter

  • Technical specifications are available from official listings; exact values (such as PCIe slot requirements, supported speeds, and firmware versions) should be referenced using the product’s UPC or SKU in the Synnex catalog.
  • For complete, up-to-date details, consult the product page in the authorized Synnex catalog or Lenovo ThinkSystem partner portal using the designated UPC/SKU identifiers.
  • Hardware features and capabilities are governed by Mellanox ConnectX-4 architecture, including VPI functionality that enables InfiniBand and Ethernet sharing of a single physical port to optimize fabric design and management.

How to install Lenovo ThinkSystem Mellanox ConnectX-4 PCIe FDR 1-Port QSFP VPI Adapter

  • Prepare the server: Power down the system, unplug power cords, and ground yourself to prevent electrostatic discharge before handling components.
  • Open the chassis and locate an appropriate PCIe slot: The card fits into a suitable PCIe slot in your Lenovo ThinkSystem server. Remove the slot cover if required and ensure there is adequate clearance for the QSFP connector and cabling.
  • Insert the ConnectX-4 card: Align the card with the PCIe slot and firmly seat it into place. Secure the bracket with a screw to ensure a solid, vibration-free installation.
  • Connect networking cabling: Attach a compatible QSFP fiber or copper cable to the QSFP port, routing it to a supported network switch or InfiniBand fabric switch. Ensure the cabling follows the correct speed and protocol requirements for your fabric (Ethernet or InfiniBand, as configured).
  • Power on and install drivers: Boot the server and install the appropriate Mellanox/NVIDIA drivers from the Lenovo support site or Mellanox/NVIDIA driver repository. Reboot if prompted to complete the driver installation and initialize the hardware.
  • Configure the fabric: Use your network management tools or vendor-specific utilities to set the port mode (Ethernet or InfiniBand), enable VPI, and adjust QoS or SR-IOV settings as needed for your virtualization stack or cluster scheduler. Validate connectivity with a basic throughput and latency test to confirm proper operation.

Frequently asked questions

  • Q: What is the purpose of the ConnectX-4 PCIe FDR 1-Port QSFP VPI Adapter?

    A: It is a high-performance network adapter designed to enable low-latency, high-bandwidth data movement in data centers. It supports both InfiniBand and Ethernet traffic through Virtual Protocol Interconnect (VPI), allowing flexible fabric configurations for HPC, virtualization, and storage applications.

  • Q: Which fabrics and speeds does this adapter support?

    A: The adapter supports InfiniBand and Ethernet fabrics via VPI, with capabilities aligned to FDR and 40 Gb Ethernet requirements. Exact speed profiles and supported ADR/transition modes depend on firmware and driver versions; refer to official documentation for precise numbers.

  • Q: Is this card suitable for virtualization environments?

    A: Yes. The ConnectX-4 family includes virtualization-friendly features such as SR-IOV support and efficient RDMA offloads, which can improve virtual machine networking performance and reduce host CPU overhead in virtualized workloads.

  • Q: What operating systems are supported?

    A: The adapter is supported by Linux and Windows environments through Mellanox/NVIDIA drivers. Always verify the latest driver compatibility with your server OS version and apply any required firmware updates.

  • Q: How can I verify that the adapter is functioning correctly after installation?

    A: After driver installation and fabric configuration, run basic connectivity tests and throughput/latency measurements using your fabric management tools. Confirm that the port is in the correct mode (Ethernet or InfiniBand), check link status, and validate bi-directional transfer performance under typical workload scenarios.


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