InfiniBand* Architecture
InfiniBand architecture is a new I/O specification for servers. Connections between servers, remote storage and networking are accomplished by attaching all devices through a central, unified, fabric of InfiniBand switches and links. This seemingly simple design offers increased system performance, enhanced reliability, greater availability and independent scalability of fabric elements.
By replacing shared bus architecture with InfiniBand technology, servers have the flexibility to remove I/O from the server chassis creating greater server density. The removal of I/O from the server chassis allows for a more flexible and scalable data center as independent fabric nodes may be added based on individual need.
With channel-based links operating at 2.5 Gbits/sec, servers enter a new realm of performance scalability meeting the demands of Internet data centers. Server, storage and networking nodes connect together as peers through the central InfiniBand fabric.
InfiniBand* Architecture
"The Industry's Choice for I/O Architecture"
Initially InfiniBand Technology will be used to connect servers with remote storage and networking devices, and other servers. It will also be used inside servers for inter-processor communication (IPC) in parallel clusters. Customers requiring dense server deployments, such as ISPs, will also benefit from the small form factors being proposed. Other benefits include greater performance, lower latency, easier and faster sharing of data, built in security and quality of service, improved usability (the new form factor will be far easier to add/remove/upgrade than today's shared-bus I/O cards).
Additionally, InfiniBand Architecture reduces total cost of ownership by focusing on data center reliability and scalability. The technology addresses reliability by creating multiple redundant paths between nodes (reducing hardware that needs to be purchased). It also moves from the load-and-store-based communications methods used by shared local bus I/O to a more reliable message passing approach.
Scalability needs are addressed in two ways. First, the I/O fabric itself is designed to scale without encountering the latencies that some shared bus I/O architectures experience as workload increases. Second, the physical modularity of InfiniBand Technology will avoid the need for customers to buy excess capacity up-front in anticipation of future growth. Instead, they will be able to buy what they need at the outset and 'pay as they grow' to add capacity without impacting operations or installed systems.
developer.intel.com
Seven of the computing industry's leaders, Compaq, Dell, Hewlett-Packard, IBM, Intel, Microsoft and Sun Microsystems have joined together to address this important issue by leading an independent industry body called the InfiniBandSM Trade Association. The association is dedicated to developing a new common I/O specification to deliver a channel based, switched fabric technology that the entire industry can adopt. InfiniBand™ Architecture represents a new approach to I/O technology and is based on the collective research, knowledge, and experience of the industry's leaders.
infinibandta.org |
