HPE Mellanox MCX653105A-ECAT Infiniband/Ethernet Host Bus Adapter

The HPE Mellanox MCX653105A-ECAT Infiniband/Ethernet Host Bus Adapter is a high-performance PCIe network card purpose-built for demanding data center workloads. Built on the industry-leading Mellanox ConnectX-6 architecture, this HDR InfiniBand adapter delivers ultra-low latency and exceptionally high bandwidth for HPC clusters, AI/ML pipelines, virtualized environments, and data-intensive analytics. Optimized for HPE ProLiant Gen10 Plus servers, it integrates seamlessly with HP management tooling, firmware updates, and proactive monitoring to simplify deployment and maintenance while maximizing performance and efficiency across hybrid workloads.

• Unmatched low-latency performance: sub-microsecond latency in HDR InfiniBand environments minimizes synchronization delays across thousands of compute threads, delivering near real-time responsiveness for tightly coupled HPC workloads, time-sensitive simulations, and latency-critical data pipelines. By accelerating RDMA operations and reducing CPU interrupts, this adapter helps unlock deeper scalability and improved application stability in multi-node configurations.
• High bandwidth HDR InfiniBand connectivity: designed to move massive data at speed, the MCX653105A-ECAT supports up to 200 Gbps bandwidth, enabling rapid inter-node communication for MPI-based workloads, large-scale simulations, and data-intensive analytics. This level of throughput minimizes bottlenecks between compute nodes, accelerates workloads requiring frequent data exchange, and supports efficient scaling to thousands of cores in modern clusters.
• ConnectX-6 technology and advanced offloads: built on the latest Mellanox ConnectX-6 silicon, the card includes hardware-assisted offloads for RDMA, virtualization, and security features, dramatically reducing host CPU overhead. These offloads translate into higher aggregate throughput, lower CPU contention, and improved efficiency in virtualization environments, storage fabrics, and mixed-workload servers.
• Flexible InfiniBand and Ethernet fabric support: the MCX653105A-ECAT combines HDR InfiniBand interconnect capabilities with Ethernet-friendly RoCE v2 support, enabling unified fabrics that span HPC interconnects and data center Ethernet. This dual capability simplifies network design, reduces cabling complexity, and enables seamless migration between InfiniBand and Ethernet workloads within the same fabric, making it easier to scale and adapt to evolving workloads.
• Optimized for HPE ProLiant Gen10 Plus servers: engineered to fit perfectly into the HPE server ecosystem, this adapter leverages HPE tooling for firmware updates, driver management, and health monitoring. Its robust design, reliability, and hot-plug readiness help data centers maintain mission-critical operations, deliver consistent performance, and streamline lifecycle management in enterprise HPC deployments and research environments.

Technical Details of HPE Mellanox MCX653105A-ECAT Infiniband/Ethernet Host Bus Adapter

• Model: HPE MCX653105A-ECAT (Mellanox ConnectX-6-based HDR InfiniBand/Ethernet HBA)
• Technology: HDR InfiniBand with Mellanox ConnectX-6 architecture
• InfiniBand bandwidth: up to 200 Gbps (HDR) per adapter configuration
• Ethernet fabric support: RoCEv2 capable to integrate with data center Ethernet fabrics
• Host interface: PCIe Gen4 x16 for high-throughput data paths
• Form factor: PCI Express Add-In Card (AIC) compatible with standard server PCIe slots
• Operating systems: Linux and Windows supported with vendor-provided drivers and management tools

How to install HPE Mellanox MCX653105A-ECAT Infiniband/Ethernet HBA

• Power down the server, unplug power cords, and ground yourself to prevent static discharge before handling the card.
• Open the chassis and locate an available PCIe x16 slot that matches the card’s interface requirements.
• Remove the slot cover, align the MCX653105A-ECAT with the slot, and firmly press until the card is fully seated in the PCIe connector.
• Secure the card with the retaining screw and connect any required internal cables for InfiniBand or Ethernet fabrics according to your cluster design.
• Power on the server and boot into the operating system; install the latest Mellanox/NVIDIA or HPE drivers and firmware from the official support site.
• Configure the adapter within the OS or management console, enabling HDR InfiniBand and RoCEv2 as needed, and perform basic connectivity tests (ping, MPI tests, or vendor-provided utilities) to verify operation.

Frequently asked questions

• Q: What workloads benefit most from the HPE Mellanox MCX653105A-ECAT?

  A: This adapter excels in high-performance computing, large-scale simulations, AI/ML training, real-time analytics, and data center interconnects that require ultra-low latency and high bandwidth. It is also suitable for virtualization-heavy environments where CPU offloads and efficient network transmission improve overall system efficiency.

• Q: Does this card support both InfiniBand and Ethernet fabrics?

  A: Yes. It delivers HDR InfiniBand connectivity for HPC interconnects and RoCEv2-enabled Ethernet capability for unified data center fabrics, allowing flexibility within mixed workloads.

• Q: What server platforms is this card designed for?

  A: It is optimized for HPE ProLiant Gen10 Plus servers and is intended to integrate with the HPE management and firmware ecosystem for straightforward deployment and ongoing maintenance.

• Q: What is the maximum bandwidth of this adapter?

  A: The card supports up to 200 Gbps HDR InfiniBand bandwidth, which translates into rapid inter-node data movement for demanding HPC and data-intensive workloads.

• Q: What operating systems are supported?

  A: Linux and Windows environments are supported with vendor-provided drivers and management tools to ease deployment, tuning, and monitoring.

• Q: Do I need a subnet manager to use InfiniBand?

  A: InfiniBand networks typically require a subnet manager (SM) to automate fabric configuration; the MCX653105A-ECAT supports standard SM deployments compatible with common HPC and enterprise fabrics.