How does AddOn support high-performance AI and ML cluster connectivity?
AddOn focuses specifically on the connectivity needs of AI and ML clusters by combining rigorously tested hardware with a streamlined buying and deployment experience.
From a technology standpoint, AddOn provides:
- **Transceivers from 100G to 800G** supporting Ethernet and InfiniBand protocols (EDR, HDR, NDR)
- **DAC (Direct Attach Cables) and AOC (Active Optical Cables)** covering 100G, 200G, 400G, and 800G
- **Fiber cabling** optimized for AI/ML topologies, including multi-mode and single-mode MPO options, splitter cables, and fanouts
Every Nvidia Mellanox–compatible transceiver and cable is **100% tested in the intended environment** to help ensure:
- Interoperability with leading network equipment manufacturers
- Stable performance under AI/ML workloads
- Non-stop operations, which is a core focus of AddOn’s business
Operationally, AddOn aims to help customers **meet or exceed AI/ML deployment timelines** by pairing high-quality optics and cabling with:
- A simplified purchasing process
- Rapid fulfillment
This combination is designed to help organizations build or scale AI and ML clusters with predictable performance, compatibility, and delivery timelines.
What connectivity speeds and protocols does AddOn support for AI and ML clusters?
AddOn’s portfolio is built to cover the main performance tiers used in modern AI and ML clusters.
**Transceivers**
- **100G**: Multiple QSFP28 options, including Infiniband EDR and 100GBase-DR (e.g., MMA1B00-E100-AO, MMS1V70-CM-AO)
- **200G**: QSFP56 modules supporting Infiniband HDR and 200GBase-SR4 (e.g., MMA1T00-HS-AO, MMA1T00-VS-AO)
- **400G**: QSFP-DD and OSFP112 options for 400GBase-SR8, DR4, and SR4 PAM4 (e.g., MMA1U00-WS-AO, MMS1V00-WM-AO, MMA4Z00-NS400-AO)
- **800G**: OSFP modules for 800GBase-2xSR4 and 800GBase-DR8 PAM4 (e.g., MMA4Z00-NS-AO, MMS4X00-NM-AO)
**DAC and AOC Cables**
- **Data rates**: 100G, 200G, 400G, and 800G
- **Protocols**: InfiniBand EDR, HDR, NDR and Ethernet variants
- **Form factors**: QSFP28, QSFP56, QSFP-DD, OSFP, and splitter options (e.g., QSFP56 to 2xQSFP56, QSFP-DD to 4xQSFP56, OSFP 800G to 2xOSFP112 400G NDR)
- **Lengths**: Commonly from **0.5m to 50m** depending on product type and gauge
**Fiber Cabling**
- **Multi-mode (OM4)** and **single-mode (SMF)** options
- **MPO-12 PC, MPO-12 APC, and MPO-16 APC** connectors
- **Cross-over (Type B)** cabling tailored for transceiver-to-transceiver connections
- **Splitter and fanout cables**, such as MPO-12 to 2xMPO-12 and MPO-12 to 4x duplex LC
All these products are designed to work together to support dense, high-bandwidth AI/ML fabrics across short-reach (rack/row) and longer-reach cluster links.
How does AddOn ensure compatibility and simplify deployment for Nvidia Mellanox-based AI clusters?
AddOn’s approach is to reduce integration risk and deployment friction for AI and ML clusters, especially those built on Nvidia Mellanox networking.
**Compatibility and Testing**
- AddOn offers a broad line of **Nvidia Mellanox–compatible transceivers and cabling** across 100G, 200G, 400G, and 800G.
- Each product is **100% tested in the intended environment**, not just at the component level. This includes validation for:
- Correct coding and identification by Mellanox switches and adapters
- Interoperability with other leading network equipment manufacturers
- Performance under InfiniBand EDR/HDR/NDR and Ethernet workloads
**Design for AI/ML Topologies**
- Fiber cabling options (MPO-12, MPO-16, splitter and fanout cables) are tailored for **transceiver-to-transceiver and leaf–spine–GPU node connections** common in AI/ML fabrics.
- Cross-over (Type B) wiring and non-pinned (female) connectors are selected to align with typical data center and cluster designs.
**Deployment Experience**
- AddOn’s business is centered on **non-stop operations**, so the optics and cabling are built and tested with uptime in mind.
- A **streamlined purchasing process** and **rapid fulfillment** are intended to help customers keep AI/ML cluster buildouts on schedule or better.
For teams standardizing on Nvidia Mellanox, this means they can source optics, DACs, AOCs, and fiber from AddOn with a clear expectation of compatibility, predictable behavior in production, and fewer surprises during cluster turn-up.