50 GbE ConnectX-4 LX for $159

[hmw]

I’ve been searching for CX-4 LX cards - CX3 cards will work in ESXi 6.7 or 7.0 but won’t do SR-IOV. And CX-4 dual cards are expensive + twice the wattage compared to CX-4 LX. I found this one on eBay for $159. It’s from someone I’ve purchased before and actually known on STH for HP CX3 cards reflashed with OEM firmware.

Mellanox MCX4131A-GCAT_C05 ConnectX-4 LX 50GbE PCIe Network Card Newest Firmware | eBay

Find many great new & used options and get the best deals for Mellanox MCX4131A-GCAT_C05 ConnectX-4 LX 50GbE PCIe Network Card Newest Firmware at the best online prices at eBay! Free shipping for many products!

www.ebay.com

 

[zack$]

Unless you need 40gb+, the Intel 82599 based cards are cheap and do SR-IOV on ESXI 7.0.

 

[hmw]

The 82599 isn't even in the same class as ConnectX3/4.

 

[JanCerny]

Similar listing for $175: Supermicro AOC-S25G-m2S (Mellanox ConnectX-4 Lx EN, dual 25 Gb SFP28) + one Precision PRE-SFP25G-SR transceiver.

These cards also support NC-SI (Network Controller Sideband Interface).

 

[hmw]

Got my Mellanox Cx4-LX card and it's working great in ESXi - set it up as virtual NIC in four guests, all good so far

The only hiccup was that a NetApp DAC cable that worked with a Cx3 card previously refused to work with this one. Checked the EEPROM of the cable and it identified as QSFP instead of QSFP+. Purchased a genuine Mellanox 40 GbE cable and the CX4-LX card is working perfectly with this cable at 40 GbE

 

[awp]

Any recommendations on a good/cheap switch to pair with this?

 

[hmw]

Any recommendations on a good/cheap switch to pair with this?

I'm using a ICX 6610 with this. The switch has 2 x 40GbE ports and a further 2 x 40 gbE breakout ports. It also has 8x 10gbE SFP ports. The card connects to this switch at 40 GbE and 10 GbE (via the MAM1Q00A-QSA QSFP to SFP adapter)

There's a huge thread for these switches - Brocade 10 & 40 GbE switch

I picked up 2 from ebay for $150 - $199 each

Read the thread + contact that thread's OP for licenses