Mellanox MFS1S00-H005V 5m 200Gb/s QSFP56 Active Optical Cable for High

The MFS1S00-H005V is a high-performance, 5-meter Active Optical Cable designed for next-generation 200 Gigabit per second data center interconnects. This network card solution, also known under the alias mq9700, leverages VCSEL-based optics to deliver significantly longer reach and higher port density compared to passive DAC cables. It is a plug-and-play nic card component essential for building scalable, high-bandwidth computing and storage fabrics.

• High-Speed Connectivity: Supports data rates up to 200Gb/s (4x 50Gb/s PAM4) for InfiniBand HDR and 200 Gigabit Ethernet.
• Hot-Pluggable Design: Enables easy installation and replacement without system shutdown, minimizing downtime.
• Extended Reach: Achieves reliable transmission up to 100 meters with multi-mode fiber, surpassing copper limitations.
• Power Efficient: Typical power consumption of only 5.0W per end (with retiming enabled), reducing operational costs.
• Comprehensive Diagnostics: Integrated Digital Diagnostic Monitoring (DDM) provides real-time visibility into temperature, voltage, and optical power per lane.
• Robust Compliance: Adheres to SFF-8665, SFF-8636, and RoHS standards, ensuring broad interoperability and safety.

This network card product is built on industry-proven standards. The electrical interface is a fully compliant QSFP56 (SFF-8665) port. It utilizes four 50G PAM4 VCSEL-based optical transceivers per end. Management and control are handled via the SFF-8636 compliant I²C interface, supporting advanced features like programmable transmitter equalization and receiver emphasis for link optimization. This makes the mq9700 alias product a technically sophisticated nic card solution.

The AOC converts high-speed electrical signals from the host system's QSFP56 cage into optical signals using integrated VCSEL lasers. These signals travel through the internal multi-mode fibers to the opposite end, where they are converted back into electrical signals. Each of the four lanes operates independently at up to 53.125 GBd. Built-in Clock Data Recovery (CDR) and retiming circuits on each lane ensure signal integrity over the cable's length, making this AOC a reliable replacement for traditional network card and nic card interconnects.

The MFS1S00-H005V is engineered for high-performance computing environments demanding low latency and high throughput.

• InfiniBand HDR Clusters: Primary interconnect for AI/ML training, high-performance computing (HPC), and financial modeling clusters.
• 200GbE Leaf-Spine Networks: Connects top-of-rack switches (like NVIDIA SN3700) to spine switches (like NVIDIA SN4600) in modern data centers.
• Storage Area Networks (SAN): Provides high-bandwidth links for all-flash storage arrays and storage controllers.
• Hyper-Converged Infrastructure (HCI): Facilitates fast node-to-node communication in HCI deployments.

Related Product Alias: This high-speed mq9700 series serves as a critical nic card interconnect, complementing our range of network card solutions.

• Superior Performance vs. DAC: Offers longer reach (100m vs. typically 5m for passive copper) and lighter weight, simplifying cable management in large racks.
• Advanced Diagnostics: Real-time DDM allows for proactive network health monitoring, a feature often lacking in basic cables.
• Proven Interoperability: Qualified for use in major OEM systems and NVIDIA switch platforms, ensuring reliable out-of-the-box performance.
• Future-Ready Design: Supports both InfiniBand HDR and 200GbE, protecting your infrastructure investment.

We stand behind every network card and cable we supply. Our service commitment includes:

• Quality Assurance: All products undergo rigorous testing prior to shipment.
• Inventory: Over $10 million in inventory ensures prompt availability of popular items like the mq9700 series.
• Technical Support: Access to our experienced technical team for pre-sales consultation and post-sales troubleshooting.
• Customer Service: 24/7 customer service for order tracking and general inquiries.
• Warranty: Standard manufacturer warranty applies. Please contact us for specific warranty terms.

Q1: Is the MFS1S00-H005V hot-pluggable?

A: Yes. This AOC is fully hot-pluggable, allowing for safe insertion and removal while the host equipment is powered on.

Q2: What systems is this cable compatible with?

A: It is designed for systems with QSFP56 ports supporting 200Gb InfiniBand HDR or 200Gb Ethernet. This includes NVIDIA SN3700, SN4600 switches, and other qualified HDR/HDR100 adapters and switches.

Q3: What is the difference between this AOC and a QSFP56 DAC (Direct Attach Copper) cable?

A: AOCs use fiber optics, enabling longer distances (up to 100m), lighter weight, and immunity to Electromagnetic Interference (EMI). DACs are typically limited to 3-5m, are heavier, and are more susceptible to EMI.

Q4: Does this product, similar to a nic card, require drivers?

A: No. As a passive physical layer cable (when considering host drivers), it does not require specific software drivers. The host system's InfiniBand or Ethernet controller drivers manage the link.

• ESD Protection: Always use proper ESD precautions (wrist strap, grounded workstation) when handling.
• Bend Radius: Do not bend the cable below the minimum bend radius of 30mm to prevent internal fiber damage.
• Compatibility: Verify host system compatibility before purchase. Not all QSFP56 ports are configured for both InfiniBand and Ethernet.
• Environmental: Operate within the specified temperature (0°C to 70°C) and humidity (5% to 85% non-condensing) ranges.
• Installation: Ensure protective caps are removed before insertion and that the connector is firmly seated in the cage.

With over a decade of industry experience, we have established ourselves as a reliable partner for enterprise networking solutions. Our strengths include a large-scale operational facility and a robust technical team, enabling us to support complex deployments.

We are an authorized distributor for leading brands including NVIDIA (Mellanox), Ruckus, Aruba, and Extreme Networks. Our core product portfolio encompasses original brand-new equipment such as network switches, network cards (including the mq9700 series and other high-performance nic card solutions), wireless access points, controllers, and cables.

We maintain a substantial inventory valued over $10 million, allowing us to fulfill diverse and volume orders efficiently. Our commitment extends beyond delivery: we ensure accurate order fulfillment and provide round-the-clock customer consultation and dedicated technical support. This customer-centric approach, backed by our professional sales and engineering teams, has earned us a strong reputation in the global market.