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Ethernet SFP28 and QSFP28 Interfaces

The network ports of the ConnectX®-5 adapter card are compliant with the IEEE 802.3 Ethernet standards listed in Features and Benefits. Ethernet traffic is transmitted through the SFP28/QSFP28 connectors on the adapter card.

The adapter card includes special circuits to protect from ESD shocks to the card/server when plugging copper cables.

PCI Express Interface

The table below describes the supported PCIe interface in ConnectX-5 and ConnectX-5 Ex adapter cards.

IC ModelSupported PCIe InterfaceFeatures
ConnectX-5PCIe Gen 3.0 (1.1 and 2.0 compatible) through x16 edge connectors

Link Rates: 2.5. 5.0 or 8.0GT/s.
Auto Negotiation to: x16, x8, x4, x2 or x1.
Support for MSI/MSI-X mechanisms.

ConnectX-5 ExPCIe Gen 3.0/4.0 (1.1 and 2.0 compatible) through x16 edge connectors

Link Rates: 2.5. 5.0, 8.0 or 16.0GT/s.
Auto Negotiation to: x16, x8, x4, x2 or x1.
Support for MSI/MSI-X mechanisms.

LED Interface

There is one bi-color (yellow/green) I/O LED per port to indicate link status located on the adapter card. 

Link Indications

State

LED Behavior

Beacon command for locating the cardBeacon command for locating the adapter card
Error

Blinks yellow at 4Hz until error is resolved. The reason for the error may be:

  • Failure of I2C access to the port
  • Over-current conditions of the port

Link Activity

Blinks green reflecting the link speed

Link Up

Constant green light

SMBus Interface

ConnectX-5 technology maintains support for manageability through a BMC. ConnectX-5 PCIe stand-up adapter can be connected to a BMC using MCTP over SMBus or MCTP over PCIe protocols as if it is a standard NVIDIA PCIe stand-up adapter. For configuring the adapter for the specific manageability solution in use by the server, please contact NVIDIA Support.

Voltage Regulators

The voltage regulator power is derived from the PCI Express edge connector 12V supply pins. These voltage supply pins feed on-board regulators that provide the necessary power to the various components on the card.