http://www.infinibandta.org/specs/faq/
Specifications: FAQ
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InfiniBand™ Architecture defines a new interconnect technology for servers that changes the way data centers will be built, deployed and managed. By creating a centralized I/O fabric, InfiniBand Architecture enables greater server performance and design density while creating data center solutions that offer greater reliability and performance scalability. InfiniBand technology is based upon a channel-based switched fabric point-to-point architecture.
What is InfiniBand Architecture?
InfiniBand Architecture is an industry standard, channel-based, switched fabric, interconnect architecture for servers. InfiniBand architecture changes the way servers are built, deployed, and managed.
Why is InfiniBand Architecture important?
As processor speeds increase with Moore's Law and the Internet drives the demand for constantly available data, the biggest gate to improved data center performance is the I/O subsystem. InfiniBand Architecture provides a blueprint for significantly improved solution performance and increased availability to meet the needs of the Internet. InfiniBand Architecture is designed to fulfill the need for greater data center reliability, availability and scalability, as well as greater design density for InfiniBand architecture enabled servers.
What performance range is offered by the InfiniBand Architecture specifications?
InfiniBand Architecture offers three levels of link performance - 2.5 Gbits, 10 Gbits, and 30 Gbits/sec. InfiniBand Architecture also enables low latency communication within the fabric enabling higher aggregate throughput than traditional standards-based protocols. This uniquely positions InfiniBand Architecture as the I/O interconnect for data centers.
What will it take to integrate InfiniBand Architecture into a data center?
InfiniBand Architecture is expected to be implemented with existing data center implementations through connectivity into the InfiniBand fabric. Initial server implementations are expected to include InfiniBand Host Channel Adapters deployed on PCI adapter cards. As the technology evolves, native InfiniBand implementations are expected with a broad base of interoperable products from member companies. IT managers should talk to their suppliers about migration strategies to InfiniBand Architecture enabled solutions.
What is the expected demand for InfiniBand Architecture enabled solutions?
InfiniBand Architecture solutions create new opportunities for product development. According to IDC, initial InfiniBand architecture enabled servers are expected to ship in the first half of 2002 with 50% of total servers enabled with InfiniBand architecture by 2005.
What specific benefits do IT managers anticipate with InfiniBand fabric rollout?
IBTA IT program members have identified many areas of interest in InfiniBand fabric deployment including increased I/O performance for leading applications including database clusters, enhanced server density, and multi-vendor system interoperability.
How will InfiniBand fabrics be managed?
The InfiniBand Architecture specifications have standardized InfiniBand management infrastructure. InfiniBand fabrics will be managed via InfiniBand consoles and InfiniBand fabric management is expected to snap into existing enterprise management solutions.
How big is the InfiniBand Architecture development effort?
The InfiniBand Trade Association has grown from 7 companies to more than 190 since its launch in August, 1999. Membership is open to any company, department of government or academic institution interested in the development of InfiniBand architecture. To see a list of current trade association members please visit the roster.
When are products based on the InfiniBand Architecture Specification expected in the marketplace?
Initial InfiniBand fabric implementations are expected to appear in 2002. As with many new data center technologies, customers are expected to test InfiniBand architecture enabled solutions through pilot programs prior to mass rollout of the technology. To read about how some data centers are planning on using InfiniBand architecture visit www.infinibandta.org/itinfo/it.
Over sixty member companies have already announced plans for products based on InfiniBand Architecture. To see a list of member company InfiniBand architecture-related announcements visit www.infinibandta.org/newsroom/articles.
How does InfiniBand Architecture relate to 3rd Generation I/O technology (3GIO)?
The technologies are complimentary. InfiniBand Architecture was designed from the ground up to address the specific needs of data centers. In the server market, 3GIO is expected to be an inside the box interconnect, or local I/O.
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