The Mellanox SX6005 is a 12-port InfiniBand switch, not a general-purpose Ethernet switch. Despite “VPI” appearing in some Mellanox product descriptions, the manufacturer’s manual says externally managed SX6005 switches operate only in an InfiniBand fabric and cannot run Ethernet protocol. Check the exact model and part number before buying or planning a connection.
What the SX6005 is—and what “VPI” does not mean here
The SX6005 is an externally managed (unmanaged) SwitchX-2 InfiniBand switch with 12 QSFP+ ports. Mellanox’s SwitchX/SwitchX-2 hardware manual, revision 1.4, lists FDR and FDR-10 versions. It gives a non-blocking switching capacity of 1.34 Tb/s and lists per-port rates of 40 or 56 Gb/s, depending on the variant.
“VPI” is a Mellanox networking term associated with InfiniBand and Ethernet-capable products, but the letters alone do not establish that this particular switch can use Ethernet. The manual is explicit about the externally managed configuration: it can run only in an InfiniBand fabric and cannot run Ethernet protocol. Do not treat an SX6005 listing as an Ethernet switch on the strength of “VPI” in its title.
Which SX6005 variant are you looking at?
The manufacturer’s ordering table distinguishes these configurations. Confirm the label on the physical unit: used-market titles may blur the variants.
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| Part number | InfiniBand variant | Power supplies | Other listed configuration details |
|---|---|---|---|
| MSX6005F-1BFS | FDR | One AC | 12 QSFP+ ports; unmanaged; short depth; connector airflow out; rail kit sold separately |
| MSX6005F-2BFS | FDR | Two AC | 12 QSFP+ ports; unmanaged; short depth; connector airflow out; rail kit sold separately |
| MSX6005T-1BFS | FDR-10 | One AC | 12 QSFP+ ports; unmanaged; short depth; connector airflow out; rail kit sold separately |
The listed configurations are also marked RoHS6. The manual identifies FDR and FDR-10 as variants; verify the exact SKU rather than assuming that every SX6005 supports the same per-port speed.
What “unmanaged” means for setup and maintenance
The manual describes externally managed switches as plug and play, but “unmanaged” also means fewer management and repair options than a managed Ethernet switch:
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- Item Package Quantity - 1
- Product Type - ELECTRONIC SWITCH
- Model Number - MSB7890-ES2F
- Accessories may not be original, but will be compatible and fully functional. Product may come in generic box.
- There are no Ethernet or console management interfaces, and the manual says the switches have no field-replaceable units.
- I2C on the connector side is the management interface. Firmware updates are normally performed in-band with Mellanox firmware tools.
- If in-band firmware burning is not possible, the manual describes I2C access using an MT USB-1 device.
NVIDIA Networking lists documentation, firmware downloads, InfiniBand/VPI drivers, Ethernet drivers, and end-of-life products among its support resources. That page is a route to product information; it does not confirm that a particular firmware build is available for your SX6005 or that a used unit remains supported.
Check the rack, power, and airflow before installing it
The hardware manual’s specifications for the SX6005 are 44 mm × 200 mm × 398.8 mm (1.73 × 7.9 × 15.7 inches). It gives a weight of 2.98 kg with one power supply or 3.2 kg with two, an input range of 100–240 VAC at 50–60 Hz, and an operating temperature range of 0–45°C. It also lists 10–85% non-condensing operating humidity, a 3050 m operational altitude, and 573 BTU/hr heat dissipation.
The listed SX6005 part numbers use connector-side airflow out, and the rail kit is sold separately. Check rack depth, the intended airflow path, the unit’s power-supply configuration, and whether the rails are included. These specifications describe the manufacturer’s listed configurations and may not match a modified or relabeled unit.
Independent reader supportYour contribution helps us test, update, and keep practical guides available for everyone.Match the switch to the rest of the InfiniBand fabric
The 12 QSFP+ ports are for an InfiniBand setup, so confirm that the host adapters and cabling are appropriate for the intended FDR or FDR-10 configuration. A QSFP+ connector by itself does not establish that a particular cable will meet the link-speed, length, or adapter requirements. Check those details against the equipment at both ends before ordering.
Quick Recap
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- Confirm the intended protocol is InfiniBand, not Ethernet.
- Check the switch’s exact part number and the speed supported by the attached equipment.
- Verify cable type, length, and host-adapter compatibility for the specific setup.
- Check whether the unit has one or two power supplies and whether its airflow direction suits the rack.
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