Cheap option for 40GbE direct connection?

[IamSpartacus]

I have plenty of experience with 10Gb networking but none with anything above it. I'm looking into connecting two servers directly for 40GbE connectivity.

So what I'm really looking for is a recommendation on a single/dual QSFP+ NIC that I can use with a twinax DAC for 40GbE. I know there are Mellanox cards that can do this but there seem to be a lot of different models and I just want to be sure I pick the right one so I'm not returning and re-buying cards.

 

[i386]

Get the Mellanox MCX354A-FCBT with the HPE part # 649281-b21 and flash it with the "vanilla" mellanox firmware.
The MCX354A-FCBT is the "ultimate" connectx-3 model supporting up to fdr infiniband and up to 56gbe.

 

[IamSpartacus]

Get the Mellanox MCX354A-FCBT with the HPE part # 649281-b21 and flash it with the "vanilla" mellanox firmware.
The MCX354A-FCBT is the "ultimate" connectx-3 model supporting up to fdr infiniband and up to 56gbe.

These?

HP 544QSFP MCX354A-FCBT 649281-B21 656089-001 VPI FDR 40GbE Mellanox OEMFirmware | eBay

 

[i386]

Yes

 

[IamSpartacus]

Yes

Perfect. Thank you sir.

 

[IamSpartacus]

Any recommendation on cables?

 

[Xeroxxx]

Just wanna say thank you. Had the same question, they are even for 10Gb really cheap and I'm going to fit these in my computer and my synology ds1618+.

 

[itronin]

Any recommendation on cables?

I've had zero issues using NetAPP QSFP cables (for disk shelves) connecting the HPE / Mellanox flashed card to ICX 6610's. have not connected them back to back to test but I suspect they would be fine there too. The cables are pretty cheap too.

 

[i386]

Any recommendation on cables?

I prefer Mellanox/OEM branded qsfp14 cables (supporting up to fdr infiniband/56gbe).
But for "normal" 40gbe you could use any working qsfp+ cable you can find

 

[Xeroxxx]

Hey there, don't want to hijack your thread but I think this fits.

Anyone can recommend a Adapter from QSFP to SFP+ for 10Gb Ethernet? Are there DAC Cables for that?

 

[Rand__]

Mellanox MAM1Q00A-QSA Ethernet Cable Adapter 40Gb/s to 10Gb/s QSFP to SFP+ DML | eBay

Accepted $10 ea @ 6

 

[Xeroxxx]

Mellanox MAM1Q00A-QSA Ethernet Cable Adapter 40Gb/s to 10Gb/s QSFP to SFP+ DML | eBay

Accepted $10 ea @ 6

Thank you, thats really cheap. However shipping to europe is 50USD

Had only 24USD shipping cost for my two mellanox MCX354A to europe.

 

[gregsachs]

Hey there, don't want to hijack your thread but I think this fits.

Anyone can recommend a Adapter from QSFP to SFP+ for 10Gb Ethernet? Are there DAC Cables for that?

Mellanox 655902-001 655874-B21 HP QSFP/SFP ADAPTER 656541864054 | eBay
Basically it is a breakout without 3 of the 4 connectors. Plug a normal SFP+ adapter in and go at 10gbe

 

[Rand__]

Thank you, thats really cheap. However shipping to europe is 50USD

Had only 24USD shipping cost for my two mellanox MCX354A to europe.

How many of those do you need?
Probably I dont need all 6 and depending on your whereabouts i could offer you one or two at cost (which is o/c higher than $10 due to shipping and taxes but o/c not $50 p&p alone)

 

[Xeroxxx]

I need two adapters. Sending you a PM.