Mellanox (NVIDIA) MCP1600-E001E30 DAC Direct Attach Cable – Product Launch and Key Feature Highlights

As enterprise and cloud data centers continue their migration to 100G Ethernet, network architects face a persistent challenge: how to scale leaf-spine fabrics without inflating power budgets or complicating cable management. Traditional active optical cables (AOCs) offer reach but at the cost of significant per-port power consumption and higher capital expenditure. For the majority of connections that reside within or between adjacent racks, the industry has long needed a solution that delivers 100G performance with the simplicity and efficiency of copper. Enter the Mellanox (NVIDIA) MCP1600-E001E30, a new addition to NVIDIA's industry-leading direct attach copper (DAC) portfolio designed specifically for short-reach, high-density 100G deployments.

The MCP1600-E001E30 QSFP28 DAC cable is engineered to address the precise needs of modern Top-of-Rack (ToR) architectures. As a passive copper assembly, it requires no external power for signal amplification, drawing energy directly from the host QSFP28 port. This NVIDIA Mellanox MCP1600-E001E30 leverages proven twinax technology to ensure signal integrity over distances optimized for intra-rack and adjacent-rack links. By eliminating the need for optical transceivers at both ends, it dramatically reduces both the material cost and the physical footprint of 100G cabling, enabling denser switch populations and improved airflow within the rack.

The MCP1600-E001E30 100Gb/s passive copper DAC is built to meet the rigorous performance standards of NVIDIA Mellanox ecosystems. Its core attributes include:

• Zero Power Consumption: As a purely passive assembly, the cable adds no additional power draw to the network, directly contributing to lower Power Usage Effectiveness (PUE) in the data center.
• Signal Integrity Assurance: Fully compliant with the SFF-8662 QSFP28 standard, the MCP1600-E001E30 maintains tight control over insertion loss and crosstalk, ensuring error-free 100Gb/s transmission over its rated length.
• Broad Compatibility: The cable is designed to be MCP1600-E001E30 compatible with a wide range of NVIDIA Mellanox switches, adapters, and third-party hardware that adhere to the QSFP28 MSA, simplifying procurement and sparing strategies.
• Mechanical Flexibility: The copper twinax construction allows for tight bend radii, facilitating neat cable routing in high-density environments without stressing the connector interface.

For network engineers architecting a 100G fabric, the MCP1600-E001E30 QSFP28 DAC cable solution offers immediate value in several common topologies. In a standard leaf-spine design where spine switches are located at the end of the row, the MCP1600-E001E30 provides a cost-effective interconnect for leaf-to-spine links under five meters. Similarly, for server-to-leaf connections within the same rack, it eliminates the cost and complexity of optical transceivers and fiber patching. IT managers evaluating the MCP1600-E001E30 price against active alternatives will find that the passive copper approach delivers the lowest total cost of ownership for short-reach links, often reducing cable-related expenses by 50-70% compared to AOCs. Detailed mechanical drawings and electrical specifications are available in the MCP1600-E001E30 datasheet to support precise deployment planning.

With the introduction of the MCP1600-E001E30, NVIDIA Mellanox reinforces its commitment to providing a complete portfolio of connectivity options tailored to real-world deployment scenarios. By combining the reliability of passive copper with the performance required for 100Gb/s transmission, this cable enables architects to scale their networks efficiently without compromising on density or power budgets. For organizations seeking a proven, compatible, and cost-effective short-reach interconnect, the MCP1600-E001E30 represents a strategic choice.