I have a few different Mellanox connects 4 and 5 25G and 100G PCIe cards flashed to the Atto Fastframe 3 firmware using Mellanox tools. They work great with Atto software and with Jumbo Frames. Get max 24.7 on Iperf 3 on 2019 MacPro. On m4 MacBook Pro using both Atto ThunderLink 3252 and Sonnet Twin25G see around 22 max using jumbo frames. The Twin25G kernel panics any Mac used when unplugged or waking from sleep. Both have internal fans the Atto is the loudest. Also I’m using a Ubiquity USW-pro aggregation switch. Flashing the cards is pretty easy following guide on STH forums. Used BootCamp to flash cards firmware is on Atto site under downloads.
forums.servethehome.com
Ak360’s post is extremely helpful once you download the Mellanox drivers and flashing tools all done in command prompt. If anyone is interested. Not responsible for bricking cards doing firmware mods do at own risk. The cards are cheap on eBay and Sonnet and Atto cards are the same but they charge outlandish prices for them. Once flashed they work great in Thunderbolt enclosures as well. Make sure you back up original cards info like the Mac address or else it will be all zeros.
There are also new $230 USD Chinese Thunderbolt 25G adapters that hit Amazon and eBay that have no power bricks. I’ve ordered one to see if I can flash the OCP 2 Mellanox ConnectX 4 card used inside. Being able to enable Jumbo frames gives just that extra boost and only possible with firmware modifications. Will report back on that and what Thunderbolt chip they used. I tested the new JHL9480 chip and got 24.7Gbps which was the fastest I’ve ever seen but the connection wasn’t the best kept cutting out power issues I’m hearing from vendors. Some are waiting for next Intel Thunderbolt 5 chip.
Lenovo Connectx-4 card flash to Mellanox
Hello helpful people, I have just received 3x Lenovo 01GR250 CX4 2x25Gb cards. Is there an idiots guide out there to flash these to MCX4121A-ACAT firmware which is what they are under the skin :) ?? I searched the forums but couldn't see anything for Connectx 4 other than someone trying to...
forums.servethehome.com
Ak360’s post is extremely helpful once you download the Mellanox drivers and flashing tools all done in command prompt. If anyone is interested. Not responsible for bricking cards doing firmware mods do at own risk. The cards are cheap on eBay and Sonnet and Atto cards are the same but they charge outlandish prices for them. Once flashed they work great in Thunderbolt enclosures as well. Make sure you back up original cards info like the Mac address or else it will be all zeros.
There are also new $230 USD Chinese Thunderbolt 25G adapters that hit Amazon and eBay that have no power bricks. I’ve ordered one to see if I can flash the OCP 2 Mellanox ConnectX 4 card used inside. Being able to enable Jumbo frames gives just that extra boost and only possible with firmware modifications. Will report back on that and what Thunderbolt chip they used. I tested the new JHL9480 chip and got 24.7Gbps which was the fastest I’ve ever seen but the connection wasn’t the best kept cutting out power issues I’m hearing from vendors. Some are waiting for next Intel Thunderbolt 5 chip.
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