From Mellanox to NVIDIA Networking: Product Names and Reading OPNs

Buying InfiniBand hardware means meeting three different naming schemes: old Mellanox names, new NVIDIA marketing names, and ordering part numbers (OPNs). The same product can be called three ways — “Mellanox QM8700”, “NVIDIA Quantum HDR switch” and “MQM8700-HS2F” are the same box.

The confusion is not merely cosmetic: failing to read it correctly when comparing quotes, browsing the second-hand market or taking inventory leads to real cost mistakes. This article lays out the map.

Short history: how Mellanox became NVIDIA Networking

Mellanox Technologies was the most widely deployed commercial implementer of InfiniBand: switch ASICs (Switch-IB, Quantum), adapters (ConnectX) and the software stack (MLNX-OFED, UFM) all came from one source.

NVIDIA acquired Mellanox in 2020. The products continued but branding shifted gradually: Mellanox Quantum → NVIDIA Quantum, Mellanox ConnectX → NVIDIA ConnectX, MLNX-OFED → DOCA-OFED.

In practice this means: documents, datasheets and inventory records written before 2020 carry the Mellanox name and are still valid. The same product appearing under a different title in an NVIDIA document does not make it a different product.

Switch generation map

Two things to note:

The marketing name differs from the ASIC name. The XDR platform is marketed as Quantum-X800 while the silicon inside is called Quantum-3. That is why the front panel of a Q3200-RA reads “QUANTUM-3”. Both are correct; they name different layers.

Models ending in 0 and 90. In the QM8700/QM8790 and QM9700/QM9790 pairs the hardware is almost identical; the difference is management. Models ending in 00 are managed (onboard subnet manager), those ending in 90 are unmanaged.

Adapter (ConnectX) generation map

The adapter generation does not have to match the switch generation; a link comes up at the highest rate both ends support. That is an important property, and it is what makes phased upgrades possible.

How to read an OPN

An ordering part number carries the full configuration of the product. Let us break MQM8700-HS2F apart:

Prefixes:

Airflow letters — always confirm before ordering. Codes ending in F have P2C (connector-side outlet) airflow, those ending in R have C2P (connector-side inlet). Choosing the wrong direction breaks hot-aisle / cold-aisle containment and cannot be corrected on site — the fan and PSU set has to be replaced entirely.

Practical examples

Five things to check when reading a quote

1. Compare OPNs, not model names. Two quotes both saying “HDR switch” may be one managed and one unmanaged — a serious difference.

2. Check the airflow letter. The F and R variants of the same model are indistinguishable in price but not interchangeable on site.

3. Are power supplies and fans included? In modular systems PSUs and fans are separate line items. Look for lines such as MTEF-PSF-AC-C.

4. Rail kits and cable management. Small items, but their absence causes trouble on installation day.

5. Optical module body type. The finned/flat-top distinction on the OSFP side should be stated explicitly in the quote; if it is not, ask.

Second-hand and “compatible” products

EDR and HDR hardware is widely available second-hand. It works technically, but watch three things:

• Warranty and support. Manufacturer warranty does not transfer; lead time on failure becomes unpredictable.
• Firmware version. Old firmware may not work with newer adapters, and updating needs manufacturer access.
• EOL status. The EDR generation has reached the end of manufacturer support; spare-part availability declines year over year.

Third-party “compatible” optical modules present a similar picture: they work, but the responsibility boundary blurs during fault diagnosis.

The Mevasis supply approach

Mevasis is an authorised dealer; every item is supplied new and under manufacturer warranty. Quotes are given at OPN level, not model-name level: switch, adapter, optics and cable compatibility — including airflow direction and module body type — comes verified in the list.

Share your current inventory and we will work out which item belongs to which generation and prepare a compatible list for expansion. See InfiniBand switch models, adapters and the HPC networking catalogue, or get in touch.

Frequently Asked Questions

Is the Mellanox name still in use? Product names moved to NVIDIA, but the Mellanox name still appears widely in older documents, inventory records and second-hand listings. They refer to the same hardware.

Are QM8700 and MQM8700-HS2F different products? No. QM8700 is the model name; MQM8700-HS2F is the ordering code for a specific configuration of it — with 2 AC power supplies and P2C airflow.

Are Quantum-3 and Quantum-X800 the same thing? Quantum-X800 is the platform’s marketing name, Quantum-3 the name of the switch silicon inside. The front panels of the Q3200-RA and Q3400-RA carry a “QUANTUM-3” label.

Can I buy an NDR switch with my ConnectX-6 adapters? You can; the link comes up at HDR 200G. The switch’s spare capacity stays unused until the adapters are upgraded to ConnectX-7. It is a common path in phased migrations.