Lenovo ConnectX-3 Pro ML2 2x40GbE/FDR VPI Adapter

Overview

The Lenovo 00FP650 is a network interface adapter designed for Lenovo System x servers, providing two ports capable of delivering up to 40 gigabits per second each. This adapter supports both standard Ethernet and FDR InfiniBand protocols through Virtual Protocol Interconnect, allowing flexible use for traditional IP traffic or lossless InfiniBand fabric commonly used in high-performance computing clusters. Its ML2 form factor optimizes server airflow and conserves PCIe slots, making it a practical choice for dense server environments.

Key features

• Dual 40 Gbps ports that switch seamlessly between Ethernet and FDR InfiniBand, adapting to different network demands.
• ML2 connector designed specifically for Lenovo System x servers, which helps maintain efficient airflow and frees up PCIe slots for other expansions.
• Virtual Protocol Interconnect technology enables dynamic protocol selection, matching network traffic to the most suitable protocol without hardware changes.
• Low latency and high throughput communication ideal for workloads such as message passing, distributed storage, real-time analytics, and virtualization clusters.
• Power-efficient design that draws only the necessary power, supporting scalability in large server deployments.
• Compatibility with common Linux distributions and virtualization platforms ensures straightforward integration and driver support.

Key specs

• Port speed: 2 x 40 Gbps
• Supported protocols: Ethernet and FDR InfiniBand via Virtual Protocol Interconnect
• Form factor: ML2 connector for Lenovo System x servers
• Latency: extremely low for high-performance computing needs
• Power consumption: optimized for efficiency in dense server environments
• Compatibility: fits Lenovo System x rack servers with standard driver support for Linux and virtualization platforms

Connectivity and compatibility

This adapter fits into the ML2 slot of Lenovo System x servers, providing two high-speed ports that can be configured for Ethernet or InfiniBand networks. This flexibility allows it to serve in diverse environments, from traditional IP-based data centers to high-performance computing clusters that require lossless InfiniBand communication. Its compatibility with standard drivers simplifies deployment across common Linux and virtualization setups.

Performance and reliability

With each port delivering 40 Gbps bandwidth and extremely low latency, the adapter accelerates data transfer between servers, reducing wait times for message passing and real-time analytics. Its design supports east-west traffic in database and virtualization farms, while also enabling direct connection to InfiniBand backbones in scientific compute clusters without additional hardware. The power-efficient ML2 form factor contributes to reliable operation in large-scale deployments.

Ideal uses and environments

This adapter is well suited to environments that demand high bandwidth and low latency, such as high-performance computing clusters, virtualization farms, and scale-out storage systems. It fits neatly into Lenovo System x rack servers, making it a strong choice for IT professionals managing dense server configurations who need flexible networking options without sacrificing airflow or expansion capabilities.