Product Overview

The NVIDIA MCA4J80 series delivers 800Gb/s twin-port OSFP Active Copper Cables for next‑generation NDR InfiniBand and Spectrum‑4 Ethernet fabrics. The MCA4J80-N005 (5‑meter variant) utilizes thicker 26AWG copper pairs with integrated pre‑emphasis equalizer ICs at both ends, enabling reliable transmission beyond passive DAC limits while preserving extremely low latency and power consumption of only 1.5W per connector. Each cable is factory‑tuned to reduce signal noise and back reflections, and the EEPROM provides full product identification and diagnostic data to the host system. For shorter reaches (<3m), NVIDIA offers passive DAC alternatives; the ACC series optimizes performance for 3m, 4m, and 5m links.

Key Features

• 800Gb/s aggregate bandwidth – twin-port OSFP to 2x400Gb/s OSFP, 8 lanes @ 100G-PAM4 per port.
• 5-meter reach (26AWG) – ideal for top-of-rack and adjacent rack connectivity.
• Ultra-low power – maximum 1.5 Watts per end, significantly lower than active optical cables.
• Hot‑pluggable & RoHS compliant – LSZH jacket, halogen‑free, lead‑free.
• Protocol‑agnostic operation – automatically configures for InfiniBand or Ethernet depending on attached switch.
• Robust signal integrity – integrated equalizer and per‑length tuning reduce reflections and ISI.
• I²C management interface – based on SFF‑8636, provides real‑time cable status and identification.
• Operating temperature 0°C to +70°C – suitable for enterprise and cloud data center environments.

Technology & Design

The MCA4J80-N005 belongs to NVIDIA’s Active Copper Cable (ACC) family – a hybrid design that combines passive copper cabling with active equalization circuitry. Unlike passive DACs, ACC integrates a pre‑emphasis equalizer IC in each connector housing, which compensates for high‑frequency losses inherent to copper at longer lengths. This enables distances up to 5m while maintaining bit error rates compliant with InfiniBand NDR specifications. The 100G-PAM4 modulation per lane maximizes spectral efficiency, and the twin-port OSFP form factor offers breakout capability: a single 800Gb/s port interfaces to two independent 400Gb/s ports, simplifying connections to Quantum‑2 switches or DGX H100 systems. NVIDIA’s rigorous cable testing ensures out‑of‑the‑box durability, low insertion loss, and excellent crosstalk isolation.

Typical Deployments

• Quantum‑2 InfiniBand switch to Quantum‑2 switch – building non‑blocking NDR fabrics up to 5m between leaf/spine nodes.
• Quantum‑2 switch to DGX H100 / HGX H100 systems – direct attach for GPU clusters requiring high‑throughput and low latency.
• Spectrum‑4 Ethernet switch to switch or server uplinks – 800Gb/s Ethernet deployments for AI/ML backend networks.
• High‑performance computing (HPC) and storage disaggregation – reliable point‑to‑point connections inside racks.

Compatibility

The MCA4J80-N005 ACC is fully compatible with NVIDIA Quantum‑2 InfiniBand switches, Spectrum‑4 Ethernet switches, and DGX H100 server platforms. It also operates with any standard OSFP cage that supports 800G NDR or 2x400G breakout modes, following OSFP MSA Rev. 1.12 and SFF‑8636 management interface. The cable automatically detects the link protocol (InfiniBand vs Ethernet) based on the switch side, requiring no manual configuration. For legacy 400G or 200G environments, contact your NVIDIA representative for adapter or passive DAC options.

Compatibility Matrix

Technical Specifications

Selection Guide – MCA4J80 Series

Advantages Over Passive DAC & Active Optical Cables

• Cost‑effective: Lower cost than active optical cables (AOC) while providing longer reach than passive DAC.
• Minimal latency: Sub‑microsecond latency due to analog equalization, no protocol retiming.
• Power efficiency: 1.5W per end vs 3-5W typical for optical modules.
• Reliability: No optical contamination issues, robust in high‑vibration environments.
• Deployment simplicity: Standard copper handling, no cleaning or polarity concerns.

Service & Support

Hong Kong Starsurge Group Co., Limited provides full supply chain and technical support for NVIDIA networking solutions. Our team assists with configuration validation, compatibility checks, and after‑sales RMA services. Contact our network hardware specialists for volume pricing, cable length recommendations, and integration with existing InfiniBand/Ethernet fabrics. We offer global delivery with rapid dispatch from regional warehouses.

Frequently Asked Questions (FAQ)

Handling Precautions & ESD Guidelines

• Always use ESD‑grounded wrist straps when handling cables and inserting into OSFP cages.
• Do not exceed minimum bend radius (single: 5x diameter; repeated: 10x diameter) to prevent conductor damage.
• Protective dust caps should remain in place until installation to prevent contamination.
• Do not pull or apply excessive tension to the cable jacket; use appropriate cable management brackets.
• Operate within specified case temperature (0°C to +70°C) to ensure reliable equalizer performance.

Buyer Checklist – MCA4J80-N005

Related Products

Related Guides & Resources

• NVIDIA Cable Management Guidelines for OSFP/QSFP (PDF)
• InfiniBand NDR Fabric Design Best Practices
• Understanding Active Copper vs. Active Optical Cables
• DGX H100 Networking Guide

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 global customers across government, healthcare, manufacturing, education, finance, and enterprise sectors. Our portfolio includes network switches, NICs, wireless access points, IoT solutions, custom software development, and high‑speed cabling (including NVIDIA InfiniBand and Ethernet products). With a customer‑first approach and multilingual support, Starsurge ensures reliable quality, responsive service, and tailored network infrastructure. Our experienced sales and technical team provides end‑to‑end support from design to global delivery.

Partner with us for NVIDIA original ACC cables, DACs, and switch solutions.