ConnectX-6 Lx technical selection questions
Technical evaluation questions with variant-specific scope and sources.
ConnectX-6 Lx technical selection questions
These questions are prepared from the cited technical documentation and clearly scoped owner inputs. They are not a measured frequency ranking. Keep the applicability line with each answer; do not transfer board, cooling, crypto, protocol, cable length or firmware facts between variants.
What is the material difference between AN and AS?
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AN has secure boot disabled; AS has secure boot enabled. Both listed variants have crypto disabled, dual SFP28 ports and PCIe 4 x8. Treat secure boot as a separate selection field from crypto.
Public references
- ConnectX-6 Lx ordering information
- Specifications | NVIDIA ConnectX-6 Lx Ethernet Adapter Cards User Manual
Does this 25 GbE card provide a 50 GbE single port?
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The exact MCX631102 variants are specified for two SFP28 ports at 1/10/25 GbE. A separate MCX631105 QSFP28 product supports the single-port 50 GbE configuration; family capability does not change this SKU.
Public references
- ConnectX-6 Lx ordering information
- Specifications | NVIDIA ConnectX-6 Lx Ethernet Adapter Cards User Manual
What power budget does the passive-cable specification use?
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At PCIe Gen 4 the shared exact-model specification lists 11.53 W typical and 12.94 W maximum using passive cables. Active modules add power and may change airflow requirements.
Public references
- ConnectX-6 Lx ordering information
- Specifications | NVIDIA ConnectX-6 Lx Ethernet Adapter Cards User Manual
Is a passive heatsink sufficient without server airflow?
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No such guarantee is given. The published 55°C airflow requirement is 300 LFM from heatsink to port with passive cables; active modules require more airflow in the listed conditions.
Public references
- ConnectX-6 Lx ordering information
- Specifications | NVIDIA ConnectX-6 Lx Ethernet Adapter Cards User Manual
Does an older PCIe slot change the card identity?
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The card supports PCIe Gen 3/4 x8 and lower-generation compatibility as documented. Check the actual negotiated width and speed; a physical slot does not guarantee the preferred host bandwidth.
Public references
- ConnectX-6 Lx ordering information
- Specifications | NVIDIA ConnectX-6 Lx Ethernet Adapter Cards User Manual
Can firmware be chosen solely from the marketing model?
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Record the exact label, hardware revision and PSID before firmware work, especially for OEM-labelled cards. A family driver or a shared chip marking does not establish that an arbitrary firmware image is appropriate.