NVIDIA Mellanox MFA1A00-C050 100Gb/s QSFP28 Active Optical Cable (AOC)

Product Model: MFA1A00-C050 | Interface: QSFP28 | Data Rate: Up to 100Gb/s | Cable Length: 50 meters

1. Product Overview

The NVIDIA® Mellanox MFA1A00-C050 is a high-speed Active Optical Cable (AOC) engineered for 100 Gigabit Ethernet (100GbE) and InfiniBand EDR environments. This solution integrates a VCSEL-based optical transceiver within a robust cable assembly, eliminating the need for separate optical modules and patch cables. The MFA1A00-C050 model specifically provides a 50-meter reach, ideal for intermediate distances within racks and across aisles in data centers. As a premier network card and cable interconnect, it is designed to replace bulky, limited-reach DAC cables, offering superior signal integrity, flexibility, and density. This product is also known under the alias mq9700 in certain market segments and configurations.

2. Key Characteristics

• Data Rate: Supports up to 100 Gb/s aggregate bandwidth (4x 25.78 Gb/s lanes).
• Form Factor: Standard QSFP28 (Quad Small Form-factor Pluggable 28) on both ends.
• Reach: Effective transmission distance of up to 50 meters over OM3/OM4 multi-mode fiber (MMF).
• Power Efficiency: Typical power dissipation of 2.2W per end (with retiming enabled).
• Hot-Pluggable: Fully compliant with hot-pluggability specifications for live system insertion/removal.
• Digital Diagnostics: Comprehensive SFF-8636 compliant DDM for real-time monitoring of temperature, voltage, optical power, and bias current.
• Physical Robustness: Durable LSZH (Low Smoke Zero Halogen) cable jacket, minimum bend radius of 30mm.

3. Core Technology & Standards

This AOC leverages advanced VCSEL (Vertical Cavity Surface Emitting Laser) technology for high-speed, reliable optical transmission. It strictly adheres to industry standards to ensure broad compatibility:

• Electrical Interface: Compliant with SFF-8665 for QSFP28.
• Management Interface: SFF-8636 for I2C-based digital diagnostics and control.
• Protocol Support: 100GBASE-SR4 Ethernet (IEEE 802.3bm) and InfiniBand EDR.
• Signal Integrity: Incorporates per-lane selectable retiming, programmable transmitter input equalization, and receiver output pre-emphasis for optimal performance across varied conditions.

4. How It Works

The MFA1A00-C050 functions as an integrated electro-optical conversion system. On the electrical side, the QSFP28 connector receives four high-speed electrical lanes from the host network card or switch port. Integrated driver chips and VCSEL arrays within the connector housings convert these electrical signals into optical signals. These signals are then transmitted through four parallel multi-mode fibers encapsulated within the cable. At the receiving end, another set of integrated photodetectors converts the optical signals back into electrical signals for the connected device. This all-in-one design simplifies the link by handling signal conversion internally, providing a plug-and-play high-speed connection that is transparent to the host system, much like an advanced NIC card extender.

5. Application Scenarios

• Data Center Interconnects: Top-of-Rack (ToR) to leaf/spine switch connections, intra-cluster networking.
• High-Performance Computing (HPC): InfiniBand EDR fabric for supercomputers and research clusters.
• Enterprise Network Core: Aggregation and core switch interconnections requiring 100GbE throughput.
• Cloud Infrastructure: High-bandwidth links within and between cloud server racks.
• Storage Area Networks (SAN): Connecting storage arrays to high-speed networks.

6. Technical Specifications & Selection Guide

Quick Selection Reference (Partial List):

7. Competitive Advantages

• Superior Reach vs. DAC: Provides a reliable 50m link, far exceeding the practical distance limits of Direct Attach Copper (DAC) cables, without signal degradation.
• Integrated Simplicity: Eliminates the complexity and points of failure associated with separate transceivers and fiber patch cords, reducing total cost of ownership.
• Enhanced Diagnostics: Offers more comprehensive system health monitoring compared to passive cables, aiding in proactive maintenance and rapid fault isolation—a critical feature for any high-performance network card environment.
• Lightweight & Flexible: Significantly lighter and more manageable than equivalent copper solutions, improving airflow and easing cable management in dense racks.
• Future-Proof Investment: Compatibility with both major 100G protocols (Ethernet and InfiniBand) protects your infrastructure investment. This versatility is a hallmark of the mq9700 series family.

8. Support & Services

We stand behind our products and our partnerships with industry leaders like NVIDIA Mellanox. When you source the MFA1A00-C050 or any related NIC card from us, you receive:

• Warranty: Full manufacturer warranty coverage provided by NVIDIA.
• Availability: The MFA1A00-C050 and other variants are typically available from stock for fast delivery.
• Technical Support: Access to our in-house technical team for pre-sales consultation and post-sales integration support.
• Global Logistics: Reliable shipping and customs clearance support for international orders.

9. Frequently Asked Questions

10. Important Precautions

• Bend Radius: Do not bend the cable below the minimum bend radius of 30mm during installation or operation to prevent internal fiber damage.
• ESD Protection: Handle the QSFP28 connectors with care, using proper ESD wrist straps and equipment to prevent electrostatic discharge damage.
• Environmental Conditions: Operate and store within specified temperature (0°C to 70°C operational, -40°C to 85°C storage) and humidity ranges (5% to 85% non-condensing).
• Compatibility: Verify compatibility with your specific host device (switch, network card, server) before purchase. Not all devices enable all advanced features like retiming.
• Laser Safety: This product is classified as a Class 1 Laser product per IEC 60825-1. It is safe under normal operating conditions. Do not disassemble.
• EMC/Regulatory: Complies with FCC Class A, CE, RoHS, and other relevant regulations for commercial environments.

11. About Our Company