MMA4Z00-NS mellanox optical transceiver Compatible 800G 2xSR4 OSFP PAM4 850nm

The definitive high-density, high-bandwidth network card solution for next-generation AI and HPC data centers.

The NVIDIA MMA4Z00-NS is an 800 Gigabit per second (Gb/s), twin-port, OSFP form-factor optical transceiver designed for multimode fiber (SR8) short-reach applications. It functions as a critical network card interface within high-performance computing (HPC) and AI infrastructure. Each module houses two complete 400Gb/s transceivers, delivering an aggregate bandwidth of 800Gb/s to the host mq9700 or similar switch via a single electrical connector, while providing two independent MPO-12/APC optical interfaces.

It is engineered specifically for air-cooled NVIDIA Quantum-2 NDR InfiniBand and Spectrum-4 400GbE switches, utilizing a finned-top shell for enhanced thermal management. A flat-top variant (MMA4Z00-NS-FLT) is available for liquid-cooled systems and DGX H100 platforms.

• Dual-Protocol Support: Automatically activates InfiniBand or Ethernet firmware based on the host switch.
• High Density: Two 400G ports in one OSFP slot, maximizing switch faceplate utilization.
• Performance: 800G aggregate (2x400G) using 100G-PAM4 modulation per lane over 8 VCSEL-based channels.
• Reach: Up to 50 meters on OM4 multimode fiber, 30 meters on OM3 (with two patch panels).
• Power Efficient: Maximum power dissipation of 17W, with a low-power sleep mode at 2.0W.
• Hot-Pluggable: Fully compliant with OSFP MSA and CMIS 4.0 management standards.
• Flexible Connectivity: Supports both straight and 1:2 splitter fiber cables for 400G or 200G link configurations.

This nic card leverages industry-leading technologies to ensure reliability and interoperability:

• Form Factor & Management: Compliant with OSFP MSA Specification Rev. 1.12 and Common Management Interface Specification (CMIS) 4.0.
• Modulation: 100Gbaud PAM4 (Pulse Amplitude Modulation 4-level) per electrical and optical lane.
• Optical Engine: 850nm VCSEL (Vertical-Cavity Surface-Emitting Laser) arrays for multimode transmission.
• Connector: Patented vertical orientation of dual MPO-12/APC (Angled Physical Contact) connectors to fit the twin-port design, minimizing back-reflection.
• Diagnostics: Comprehensive Digital Diagnostic Monitoring (DDM) for real-time monitoring of temperature, voltage, TX bias, and optical power per lane.

The transceiver operates as a sophisticated electro-optical converter. On the host side (e.g., a mq9700 switch), it receives 8 lanes of 100G-PAM4 electrical signals. Internally, two identical transceiver engines process four lanes each.

Process Flow: Electrical Input (PAM4) -> Driver & Laser Array (E/O Conversion) -> 850nm Light into Multimode Fiber -> Remote Receiver (O/E Conversion) -> Output Electrical Signal.

Each of the two optical ports uses a 12-fiber MPO connector but only activates 8 fibers (4 for transmit, 4 for receive). To directly connect two transceivers, Type-B crossover fiber cables are required, which internally swap the Tx and Rx fiber pairs to align transmitters with receivers correctly.

• Switch-to-Switch Interconnect: Create an 800G link between two switches or two independent 400G links to separate switches.
• High-Density Server Connectivity: Connect a switch to multiple NVIDIA ConnectX-7 adapters and/or BlueField-3 DPUs. One MMA4Z00-NS can link to:
  • Two 400G endpoints (using straight cables).
  • Four 200G endpoints (using 1:2 splitter cables, auto-negotiating power down).
• AI/GPU Cluster Fabric: Ideal for building low-latency, high-bandwidth networks for NVIDIA DGX H100 systems and GPU-to-GPU communication over InfiniBand.
• Consolidated Data Center Spine-Leaf: Maximize bandwidth density in aggregation and core layers of Ethernet fabrics.

• Unmatched Port Density: Doubles the effective 400G port count per switch chassis compared to single-port transceivers, offering superior CapEx and rack space efficiency.
• Protocol Agility: A single SKU serves both InfiniBand and Ethernet environments, simplifying inventory and offering future-proof flexibility.
• Intelligent Power Management: When used with splitter cables for 200G links, it automatically signals the far-end network card to reduce power from 8W to 5.5W, optimizing overall system energy use.
• NVIDIA End-to-End Optimization: Rigorously tested and validated within NVIDIA's ecosystem (switches, DGX systems, DPUs), ensuring guaranteed performance and reliability.
• Enhanced Cooling Design: The finned-top shell is specifically engineered for optimal thermal performance in high-density, air-cooled switch environments.

Backed by our company's decade of experience and strong technical team, we provide comprehensive support for this and other premium network card solutions:

• Warranty: Standard manufacturer warranty applies. Extended support options available.
• Availability: In stock with ready-to-ship inventory, supporting large volume orders.
• Technical Support: 24/7 customer consultation and technical assistance post-sale.
• Integration Services: Expert guidance on deployment within NVIDIA and multi-vendor network environments.
• Global Logistics: Reliable shipping with accurate delivery tracking.

Q: Can I use a single fiber cable with the MMA4Z00-NS?
A: No. The twin-port design requires two separate fiber cables, one for each MPO-12/APC optical port. Both cables must be the same type (both straight or both splitters).

Q: Is this transceiver compatible with my existing QSFP switch?
A: No. The MMA4Z00-NS requires an OSFP cage specifically designed to support the twin-port form factor, such as those in NVIDIA Quantum-2 and Spectrum-4 switches. It is not mechanically or electrically compatible with QSFP ports.

Q: How do I connect this to a standard 400G single-port transceiver?
A: Use a dedicated NVIDIA-recommended Type-B crossover fiber cable (e.g., MFP7E10-N0xx series). This cable correctly maps the transmit fibers from one port to the receive fibers of the other.

Q: What is the difference between the Finned Top and Flat Top versions?
A: The Finned Top (MMA4Z00-NS) is for air-cooled switches requiring enhanced heat dissipation. The Flat Top (MMA4Z00-NS-FLT) is for liquid-cooled switches or DGX H100 systems where a flat surface is needed for mating with cold plates.

Q: Does it support software updates?
A: Yes. The transceiver firmware supports field upgrades via standard CDB (Command Data Block) commands over the management interface.

• Compatibility: Verify host switch compatibility (e.g., mq9700 series). Use only with NVIDIA-recommended OSFP cages.
• Fiber Type: Use OM3 or OM4 multimode fiber. Ensure fiber polarity is correct using Type-B crossover cables for direct transceiver-to-transceiver links.
• Handling:
  • Always keep protective dust caps on optical ports when not connected.
  • Clean MPO connectors with approved tools before insertion to prevent contamination, a leading cause of link failures.
  • Observe ESD (electrostatic discharge) precautions during handling.
• Environmental: Operate within the specified case temperature range (0°C to 70°C). Ensure adequate airflow in the switch for the finned-top version.
• Laser Safety: This is a Class 1M laser product. Do not stare into open optical apertures or use optical instruments to view the beam.
• Power Sequencing: The module is hot-pluggable but ensure host system power and grounding meet specifications to avoid damage.