As data center workloads grow in scale, network bandwidth between switches and GPU servers has become a critical design factor. Traditional 100G and 400G connections are increasingly unsuitable for environments that rely on large numbers of GPUs operating in parallel. To address this, data centers are deploying 800G switch ports combined with active copper cables to deliver high throughput within short distances.

This blog explains how Mellanox NVIDIA SN5600 800G switch ports connect to GPU servers using active copper cables, focusing on physical connections, signal flow, breakout design, and deployment structure.

Inside an 800G switch port

An 800G switch port provides up to 800 gigabits per second of bandwidth from a single physical interface. Internally, this bandwidth is carried using multiple high-speed electrical lanes rather than a single signal.

Internal structure of an 800G port

Instead of dedicating one port to one server, 800G ports are commonly used as shared bandwidth sources, distributing capacity to multiple GPU servers.

Why are active copper cables used?

At 800G speeds, signal quality becomes a major concern. Passive copper cables struggle to maintain clean signals at these data rates, even over short distances. This is where active copper cables are used. Active copper cables contain built-in electronic components that condition the signal as it travels through the cable.

Key reasons for using active copper cables

• Maintain signal quality at high speeds
  
• Support short-reach connections inside racks
  
• Lower power usage than optical links
  
• Simple installation without optical handling
  

These cables are designed specifically for switch-to-server connections, where distance is short, but bandwidth requirements are high.

NIC’s Role In The Connection

In an 800G switch-to-GPU architecture, the network interface card (NIC) is the server-side endpoint of the active copper breakout link. It receives high-speed electrical signals from the switch and converts them into structured data streams that CPUs and GPUs can process efficiently. The NVIDIA ConnectX-7 is widely used in these environments, supporting up to 400G per port and enabling efficient 800G → 2×400G or 800G → 4×200G breakout configurations.

Key responsibilities of the network interface card include:

• Receiving high-speed PAM4 electrical signals
  
• Performing lane alignment and decoding
  
• Applying forward error correction (FEC)
  
• Managing traffic steering and queues
  
• Delivering packets to CPUs and GPUs
  

By maintaining signal integrity and accurate packet processing, the network interface card ensures reliable, low-latency communication between the 800G switch and GPU servers.

Connection Flow

The physical connection path is straightforward:

800G Switch Port → Active Copper Cable → NIC → GPU Server

Each component has a defined role in the data path

Breaking One Port Into Many Links

An 800G switch port is rarely used as a single 800G link to one server. Instead, the bandwidth is split into smaller links using breakout connections.

Common breakout options

The breakout happens inside the active copper cable assembly, not at the switch or server. There were also 100G splitters.

How 800G Splits Into Four 400G Links

This configuration is commonly used when each GPU server requires very high bandwidth.

The NVIDIA MCA7J60 800Gb/s Twin-Port OSFP to 2×400Gb/s OSFP Active Copper Splitter Cable is designed exactly for this purpose, delivering a reliable 800G to 2×400G breakout connection between switch ports and GPU servers.

Step 1: Switch sends data

The switch transmits traffic over 8 electrical lanes, each running at 100G.

Step 2: Lane grouping

Inside the active copper cable:

• Lanes 1 - 4 form the first 400G link
  
• Lanes 5 - 8 form the second 400G link
  

Step 3: Signal conditioning

Electronics inside the cable:

• Equalize signals
  
• Reduce noise
  
• Preserve timing accuracy
  

Step 4: NIC termination

Each 400G link connects to a separate NIC port on one or two GPU servers.

Step 5: Server processing

The NIC forwards data to the server’s internal buses and GPUs.

This setup allows one switch port to serve two high-bandwidth servers without wasting capacity.

How 800G Splits Into Four 200G Links

When more servers require connectivity, the same 800G port can be split further using the NVIDIA MCA7J75 800Gb/s OSFP to 4×200Gb/s QSFP112 4 m/5 m Active Copper Splitter Cable, enabling a single high-speed switch port to connect up to four 200G NIC-equipped servers efficiently.

Step 1: Lane distribution

The 8 lanes are divided into four pairs, with each pair delivering 200G.

Step 2: Cable-level breakout

The active copper cable routes each lane pair to a separate downstream connector.

Step 3: Independent links

Each 200G connection:

• Trains independently
  
• Handles errors independently
  
• Operates as a standalone network link
  

Step 4: Server attachment

Each 200G link connects to:

• A separate GPU server, or
  
• Multiple NIC ports within a single server
  

This approach increases port efficiency and server density.

Cable Length And Placement

Active copper cables are intended for short distances only.

The connection is not for long-distance.

Thermal And Physical Design Factors

High-speed electrical connections generate heat. To manage this:

• Connectors are designed to handle higher temperatures
  
• Cable electronics operate within strict power limits
  
• Proper airflow around switch ports is required
  

Good cable routing and rack airflow are essential for stable operation.

Why Is This Design Widely Used?

Using active copper cables to connect 800G switch ports to GPU servers provides a balance of:

• High bandwidth
• Low latency
• Controlled power usage
• Simple deployment

This makes them well-suited for dense server environments where switches and servers are located close to each other.

800G switch ports connect to GPU servers by dividing high-speed electrical lanes and delivering them through active copper cables. The cable manages signal quality and breakout mapping, while the NIC terminates each link before data reaches the GPUs. This approach allows one switch port to support multiple servers efficiently within short rack-level distances, making it a practical design for high-density GPU environments.

Conclusion

Active copper cables provide the ideal balance of high bandwidth, low latency, and simple deployment for connecting 800G switch ports to GPU servers. With support for breakout configurations and built-in signal conditioning, they are the go-to choice for high-density data center environments. If you are looking for active copper cables for your 800G switch-to-GPU deployments, solutions like the NVIDIA MCA7J60 and MCA7J75 offer reliable, high-performance options designed for modern data center demands.