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MCX4121A-XCAT 10GbE Dual-Port Network Card Mellanox ConnectX-4 Lx
Product Details:
| Brand Name: | Mellanox |
| Model Number: | MCX4121A-XCAT |
| Document: | connectx-4-lx-en-card.pdf |
Payment & Shipping Terms:
| Minimum Order Quantity: | 1pcs |
|---|---|
| Price: | Negotiate |
| Packaging Details: | outer box |
| Delivery Time: | Based on inventory |
| Payment Terms: | T/T |
| Supply Ability: | Supply by project/batch |
|
Detail Information |
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| Products Status: | Stock | Application: | Server |
|---|---|---|---|
| Keyword: | Connectx 4 Lx En Mcx4121a Xcat Mellanox Network Card | Type: | Wired |
| Max Speed: | 25Gb/s | Name: | MCX4121A-XCAT ConnectX-4 Lx EN Mellanox Network Card 10GbE Dual Port SFP28 PCIe3.0 X8 |
Product Description
Mellanox ConnectX-4 Lx EN
MCX4121A-XCAT Dual-Port 10GbE Adapter
Cost-effective dual-port 10GbE SFP28 network interface card with RoCE, SR-IOV, and overlay hardware offloads for virtualized data centers.
per port
RoCE | RDMA | SR-IOV
Product Overview
The Mellanox ConnectX-4 Lx EN MCX4121A-XCAT is a dual-port 10 Gigabit Ethernet adapter card built for virtualized infrastructures, cloud platforms, and software-defined storage. Each SFP28 port operates at 10GbE or 1GbE speeds, making it a cost-effective solution for mainstream enterprise deployments. Leveraging PCIe 3.0 x8 interface, this adapter delivers high message rate (75 million packets per second) and sub‑microsecond latency. With native hardware support for RoCE (RDMA over Converged Ethernet), overlay network offloads (VXLAN, NVGRE, GENEVE), and SR-IOV virtualization, the MCX4121A-XCAT significantly reduces CPU overhead while ensuring high throughput.
Ideal for finance, healthcare, virtualization hosts, and data center consolidation projects, this card provides hardware-based I/O isolation and advanced QoS – enabling higher tenant density at a lower total cost of ownership.
Key Performance Features
- Dual-port SFP28 supporting 10GbE / 1GbE speeds
- PCI Express 3.0 x8 (compatible with Gen2/Gen1)
- Sub‑microsecond latency & 75Mpps message rate
- RDMA over Converged Ethernet (RoCE) for low-latency access
- Hardware offload for NVGRE, VXLAN, GENEVE overlays
Virtualization & Acceleration
- SR-IOV: up to 256 Virtual Functions (VFs)
- Advanced QoS and traffic isolation
- Mellanox PeerDirect® (GPUDirect®) for GPU acceleration
- Stateless TCP/UDP offloads: LSO, LRO, checksum, RSS
- End‑to‑end congestion control & IEEE DCB support
Advanced Technology
RoCE & RDMA: The ConnectX-4 Lx EN implements RDMA over Converged Ethernet (RoCE) enabling direct memory access between servers with minimal CPU intervention – critical for NVMe over Fabrics, distributed storage, and latency-sensitive applications.
Overlay Network Acceleration: Data center operators rely on VXLAN and NVGRE for network virtualization. This adapter performs encapsulation and decapsulation in hardware, preserving native performance and freeing host processors for business logic.
Hardware-based I/O Virtualization: With SR-IOV support, MCX4121A-XCAT delivers dedicated adapter resources per virtual machine, ensuring guaranteed isolation and predictable performance in multi-tenant environments.
Mellanox PeerDirect®: Eliminates unnecessary data copies between CPU and GPU, reducing application runtime for AI inference and high-performance computing workloads.
Typical Deployments
- Hyper‑converged infrastructure (HCI) nodes
- Software‑defined storage (Ceph, vSAN, ScaleIO)
- Cloud & OpenStack compute hosts
- Virtualized database clusters (SQL, MySQL, PostgreSQL)
- Financial trading and market data platforms
- Server consolidation and private cloud deployments
Compatibility & Ecosystem
MCX4121A-XCAT supports all major operating systems and hypervisors:
- Linux: RHEL/CentOS, Ubuntu, Debian, OpenFabrics OFED
- Windows Server: 2016/2019/2022 (WinOF-2 drivers)
- Virtualization: VMware ESXi, KVM, Citrix XenServer, Microsoft Hyper-V
- Other: FreeBSD
Interoperable with 1/10/25/40GbE Ethernet switches. Supports passive SFP+ copper cables, active optical cables, and SFP+ optical transceivers. Backward compatible with 1GbE infrastructure.
Technical Specifications
| Parameter | Specification |
|---|---|
| Product Model | MCX4121A-XCAT |
| Ports | 2x SFP28 |
| Supported Speeds | 10GbE / 1GbE per port (Note: 25GbE not supported on XCAT variant) |
| Host Interface | PCIe 3.0 x8 (upward/downward compatible to PCIe 2.0/1.1) |
| Form Factor | Low-profile PCIe (full-height bracket included) |
| Latency | Sub‑microsecond |
| Message Rate | 75 Million packets per second (75Mpps) |
| Hardware Offloads | RoCE, VXLAN/NVGRE/GENEVE encap/decap, TSO/LRO, checksum offload, RSS |
| Virtualization | SR-IOV (up to 256 VFs), VMware NetQueue, QoS per VM |
| Management Interfaces | NC-SI over MCTP (SMBus/PCIe), BMC interface, SPI flash, JTAG |
| Remote Boot | PXE, UEFI, iSCSI boot over Ethernet |
| Dimensions (Low-profile) | 14.2cm x 6.9cm (without bracket) |
| Power Consumption | Not publicly specified – typical < 10W; confirm per system load |
| Standards Compliance | IEEE 802.3ae (10GbE), 802.3az, 802.1Qbb, 802.1Qaz, PCIe 3.0, RoHS |
Selection Guide – ConnectX-4 Lx EN Family
| Ordering Part Number (OPN) | Ports & Speed | Interface | Form Factor | Special Notes |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| MCX4121A-XCAT | 2x 10GbE | SFP28 | PCIe low-profile | Cost-optimized 10GbE, UEFI enabled |
| MCX4111A-ACAT | 1x 25GbE | SFP28 | PCIe low-profile | 25/10/1GbE support |
| MCX4121A-ACAT | 2x 25GbE | SFP28 | PCIe low-profile | 25/10/1GbE support |
| MCX4131A-GCAT | 1x 50GbE | QSFP28 | PCIe low-profile | 50/40/25/10/1GbE |
| MCX4421A-ACAN | 2x 25GbE | SFP28 | OCP 2.0 Type 1 | Host management |
* For Multi-Host configurations or OCP 3.0 options, please contact our team.
Why Choose Starsurge for ConnectX-4 Lx EN
- Genuine Mellanox sourcing: 100% authentic cards with full traceability.
- Global delivery network: Fast shipping to Americas, EMEA, APAC with customs clearance support.
- Pre‑sales technical consulting: Our engineers verify server compatibility and configuration.
- Volume pricing available: Special discounts for data center rollouts and system integrators.
- Warranty & support: Standard 1-year warranty, extended options available.
Service & Support
Technical Support: 24-hour ticket system and live chat during business hours (GMT+8). Driver packages, firmware updates, and compatibility matrices available upon request.
RMA Process: Advanced replacement options for qualified customers. Standard RMA: 7-14 business days.
Custom labeling & bulk packaging: Available for OEM/ODM partners.
Frequently Asked Questions
A: No. The XCAT variant is limited to 10GbE and 1GbE speeds. For 25GbE support, please consider MCX4121A-ACAT.
A: Yes, full RoCE support is included, enabling low-latency RDMA for storage and clustering applications.
A: The card will auto-negotiate down to 10GbE when using 25GbE-rated SFP28 optics, but will not operate at 25GbE. For optimal performance, use standard SFP+ 10GbE optics or DACs.
A: MCX4121A-ACAT supports 25/10/1GbE, while MCX4121A-XCAT supports 10/1GbE only. The XCAT is a cost-effective choice for pure 10GbE environments.
A: Yes, request a quote with your quantity for customized pricing.
Precautions & Notes
- Ensure server motherboard provides adequate airflow for stable 10G operation in high-density enclosures.
- The card requires PCIe x8 or x16 slot. x4 slots are not recommended for dual-port line rate performance.
- Firmware updates must be performed using official Mellanox/NVIDIA tools; improper flashing may void warranty.
- Specifications not explicitly listed (e.g., power consumption) are subject to engineering verification; please contact Starsurge for integration support.
About Hong Kong Starsurge Group Co., Limited
Founded in 2008, Starsurge is a technology-driven provider of network hardware, IT services, and system integration solutions. We serve government, healthcare, manufacturing, education, finance, and enterprise clients worldwide. Backed by an experienced sales and technical team, Starsurge offers IoT solutions, network management systems, custom software development, multilingual support, and global delivery. Our customer-first approach focuses on reliable quality, responsive service, and tailored solutions that help clients build efficient, scalable network infrastructures.
As an authorized partner for leading brands, Starsurge supplies genuine Mellanox/NVIDIA adapters with full traceability, competitive pricing, and dedicated pre/post-sales engineering support.
Key Facts
- Dual 10GbE ports – line rate performance
- RoCE & RoCE v2 capable
- Up to 256 SR-IOV virtual functions
- Hardware offload for overlay tunnels
- Low profile + full-height bracket included
Compatibility Matrix (Quick Check)
| Vendor | Server Models (Tested) |
|---|---|
| Dell | PowerEdge R740/R750/R6515 |
| HPE | DL380 Gen10/Gen11, DL360 |
| Supermicro | X11/X12 series with PCIe 3.0 slot |
| Cisco | UCS C220 M5/M6 |
Buyer Checklist
- Confirm server has an available PCIe x8 or x16 slot
- SFP+ optics or DAC length suited for your cabling distance
- Operating system driver version (OFED / WinOF-2) ready
- For RDMA, ensure DCB configuration on switches
Related Products
- MCX4111A-ACAT – Single-port 25GbE adapter
- MCX4121A-ACAT – Dual-port 25GbE adapter
- Mellanox MFA1A00-E005 – 10G SFP+ active optical cable
- MMA1B00-C100D – 10GBase-SR SFP+ transceiver
Request a Quote – MCX4121A-XCAT & Other Mellanox Adapters
Contact Starsurge to get volume pricing, technical data sheets, or custom integration support.
Email: sales@starsurge.com.hk | WhatsApp/Business WeChat: +852 9123 4567
All information subject to confirmation; specifications may vary. Please verify with our team before ordering.
brand → "Mellanox Technologies" (NVIDIA), model → "ConnectX-4 Lx EN", mpn → "MCX4121A-XCAT", sku → "MCX4121A-XCAT", offers → priceSpecification / availability (InStock), manufacturer → "Mellanox", isAccessoryOrSparePartFor → (server category), hasVariant → (other ConnectX-4 Lx SKUs), organization → legalName "Hong Kong Starsurge Group Co., Limited", logo, url, contactPoint.