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Updated
17 Dec 2007Form Number
REDP3949PDF size
174 pages, 378 KBAbstract
InfiniBand networking offers a high speed, low latency interconnect that is often a requirement for High Performance Computing (HPC) networks. Combined with various Ethernet and Fibre Channel gateways, this technology also offers a simplified multifabric I/O to permit InfiniBand clients to access more traditional interconnects, using InfiniBand as the single unifying infrastructure.
This paper introduces the various IBM, Cisco, and QLogic InfiniBand components that are available for IBM BladeCenter. These components include the internal 4X InfiniBand switch and pass-thru modules, 4X host channel adapters, and Ethernet and Fibre Channel bridge modules. We also introduce the external Cisco SFS 3012 Multifabric Server switch, which provides scalable and robust Ethernet and Fibre Channel gateway connectivity to InfiniBand clients. Lastly, we introduce general InfiniBand technology concepts.
Beyond product and general InfiniBand introductions, the paper provides a number of step-by-step examples that show how to deploy these products, including how to install the InfiniBand client software and configure the various switches and gateways to demonstrate some of the many connection options that these solutions offer.
This paper is targeted at audiences that need an introduction to the available InfiniBand connectivity options for the IBM BladeCenter H and a basic introduction to InfiniBand, as well as for those who need specific information about how to implement these products.
Update 12/2007: The 4X InfiniBand Switch Module is not supported in the BladeCenter HT
Table of Contents
Chapter 1. IBM BladeCenter products and technology
Chapter 2. InfiniBand products for BladeCenter
Chapter 3. InfiniBand technology
Chapter 4. Configuring InfiniBand with QLogic bridges
Chapter 5. Configuring IP over InfiniBand for use with Cisco Systems switches
Chapter 6. Boot from InfiniBand using the Cisco Systems 3012 InfiniBand to FC gateway
Chapter 7. Configuring the Cisco 3012 InfiniBand to Ethernet gateway
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