ConnectX-3s Work with 10, 40 and 56 speeds?

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Kneelbeforezod

Active Member
Sep 4, 2015
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I Wasthinking about getting some of the X2s but then saw the X3s and looked them on the Mellanox site. The product PDF indicates they are 10, 40 and 56 compatible. So that means they will work at any of those speeds depending on the rest of the infrastructure?
 

i386

Well-Known Member
Mar 18, 2016
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"It depends" :D

56gbe is a proprietary ethernet implementation and cx3 56gbe only works with mellanox gear, it's not compatible with other 56gbe systems (eg cisco 56gbe uplink modules).
Also for 56be you will need qsfp14 cables/transceivers which are available at a premium.

One design for InfiniBand, 10/40/56Gig Ethernet or Data Center Bridging fabrics
Source: http://www.mellanox.com/related-docs/prod_silicon/PB_ConnectX3_VPI_Silicon.pdf

Mellanox uses basically the same ic for all nics, limitations seem to be implemented in software (firmware + drivers).

the cx-3 worked so far with all sfp+ transceivers I tried, but seems to picky with qsfp transceivers.
 
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