NVIDIA MCX4411A-ACQN 25GbE OCP Network Interface Card
The NVIDIA MCX4411A-ACQN is a 25GbE network interface card engineered for OCP (Open Compute Project) deployments requiring high-speed, low-latency connectivity with integrated host management capabilities. This ConnectX-4 LX EN adapter is built for data center and surveillance edge environments where you need reliable, standards-based networking without vendor lock-in.
Overview
The MCX4411A-ACQN (often searched as MCX4411A ACQN) delivers 25 gigabit-per-second throughput on a single port, making it suitable for aggregating multiple video streams, real-time analytics processing, or bridging surveillance edge nodes to central NVR infrastructure. The OCP form factor ensures compatibility with open-standard server architectures common in enterprise and service-provider deployments. At 0.50 lb, the card integrates cleanly into space-constrained edge appliances without adding thermal load or requiring custom power solutions.
Key Features
- 25GbE single-port throughput: Moves 25 gigabits per second of uncompressed or lightly compressed video without backbone congestion. For a 24-camera surveillance array running H.265 at 5 Mbps each, you're still below 150 Mbps—this card has headroom for redundancy, network overhead, and future expansion without oversubscription.
- OCP form factor compliance: Designed for open-standard server architectures, meaning you avoid proprietary NIC locks and can source replacement hardware from multiple vendors. Matters if you're standardizing infrastructure across multiple data centers or integrating third-party appliances.
- Host management integration: Built-in management capabilities reduce operational friction when provisioning or troubleshooting edge nodes. No separate management adapter needed—simplifies cabling and reduces BoM cost on high-volume deployments.
- ConnectX-4 LX architecture: NVIDIA's proven ConnectX platform provides stable, long-lifecycle driver support across Linux, Windows Server, and appliance OS stacks. Field longevity is measurable—these cards see 5–7 year deployment cycles in surveillance backends.
- Compact 0.50 lb weight: Light enough for pole-mounted edge recorders or compact NVR appliances without mechanical stress on mounting brackets or power rails. Thermal footprint is minimal—no active cooling required for this component alone.
- IL-origin manufacturing: NVIDIA NVIDIA ConnectX line is manufactured in Israel with consistent quality control and supply-chain stability. Relevant for compliance-sensitive deployments where sourcing transparency matters.
Integration & Compatibility
The MCX4411A-ACQN integrates into any OCP-compliant server or edge appliance with a compatible PCIe slot. If you're deploying surveillance edge nodes on commercial-off-the-shelf (COTS) hardware—Dell PowerEdge, Supermicro X11 series, or custom builds—check your firmware for OCP compatibility; most modern servers support OCP cards with a firmware update. For centralized NVR deployments, this card works as a backend aggregation interface, collecting streams from multiple 1GbE or 10GbE front-end ports without bottleneck.
Driver availability is broad: NVIDIA publishes stable, long-support drivers for RHEL, CentOS, Ubuntu LTS, and Windows Server. If your surveillance VMS or edge appliance runs custom Linux, NVIDIA's open-source OFED (OpenFabrics Enterprise Distribution) stack is your reference. No exotic or hard-to-source dependencies.
Frequently Asked Questions
Q: Is the MCX4411A-ACQN compatible with standard PCIe slots?
A: Yes. The card uses a standard PCIe physical interface but is optimized for OCP-compliant server architectures. Most modern servers with PCIe Gen3 or Gen4 slots will recognize it, though you may need to update server firmware to unlock OCP card support if it's not already enabled.
Q: What power does the MCX4411A-ACQN draw?
A: The card derives power from the PCIe slot itself (no external power connector required). Typical draw is under 15W during normal operation, well within PCIe standard limits. This simplifies edge appliance power budgeting—no auxiliary 6-pin or 8-pin connectors to route.
Q: Can I use the MCX4411A-ACQN for redundant network paths in an NVR cluster?
A: Yes. The single 25GbE port is suited for dedicated cluster heartbeat, replication, or failover traffic separate from the primary surveillance ingress network. Pair it with a front-end 1GbE or 10GbE NIC to segregate management and video streams.
Q: Does the MCX4411A-ACQN support RDMA (Remote Direct Memory Access)?
A: The ConnectX-4 LX platform supports RDMA over Converged Ethernet (RoCE v2). If your surveillance backend or analytics platform (e.g., GPU-accelerated object detection) uses RDMA for low-latency data transfer, this card enables that path without falling back to TCP/IP overhead.
Q: What is the warranty on the MCX4411A-ACQN?
A: NVIDIA provides manufacturer warranty; exact terms depend on your point of purchase. Contact your distributor or reseller for warranty details specific to your order.
Q: Is the MCX4411A-ACQN NDAA Section 889 compliant?
A: NVIDIA manufactures this card in Israel; it is not subject to NDAA restrictions. However, if you are a U.S. government buyer, verify compliance requirements with your procurement office, as some agencies apply stricter sourcing rules beyond the NDAA itself.
The MCX4411A-ACQN is a straightforward fit for surveillance backends running OCP-compliant infrastructure. At 25 Gbps, this single-port card is your aggregation point—not your front-end ingress NIC. I deploy this on edge NVR clusters and central recorder redundancy links where you need bandwidth headroom and open standards, not proprietary lock-in.
Technical Highlights:
- 25GbE throughput on OCP form factor: Moves 25,000 Mbps without proprietary slot requirements. For a 16-camera array at 10 Mbps H.265 each, you're consuming 160 Mbps—this card gives you 155x overhead. Future-proofs your backend from bandwidth exhaustion.
- Integrated host management: ConnectX-4 LX includes embedded management controllers. Reduces BOM cost on edge appliances by eliminating a separate Baseboard Management Controller (BMC) interface card. Simpler cabling, fewer failure points.
- RoCE v2 and RDMA support: If you're running GPU-accelerated analytics (NVIDIA Triton, DeepStream) on the same edge node, RDMA bypasses kernel TCP/IP stacks and shaves milliseconds off latency-sensitive workloads. Matters for real-time object detection pipelines.
Deployment Considerations:
- Verify your server or appliance BIOS supports OCP cards. Some older or locked-down systems require firmware updates. Test before mass deployment.
- 25GbE requires Cat6A or better cabling and active switch infrastructure; 1GbE or 10GbE switches won't expose this card's value. Budget for the network backbone upgrade alongside the NIC.
This MCX4411A-ACQN card is the right choice for distributed surveillance edge nodes that need to sync terabytes of video redundantly between data centers, or for central NVR clusters running Kubernetes or OpenStack where you want vendor-neutral OCP hardware. Skip it if you're deploying a single 16-channel recorder on a small business network—you'll never use 25 Gbps and you'll waste capital.
