Performance demands continue to evolve in High Performance Computing (HPC) and enterprise cloud networks, increasing the need for enhancements to InfiniBand capabilities, support features, and overall interoperability. To address this need, the InfiniBand Trade Association (IBTA) is announcing the public availability of two new InfiniBand Architecture Specification updates – the Volume 2 Release 1.3.1 and a Virtualization Annex to Volume 1 Release 1.3.
The Volume 2 Release 1.3.1 adds flexible performance enhancements to InfiniBand-based networks. With the addition of Forward Error Correction (FEC) upgrades, IT managers can experience both minimal error rates and low latency performance. The new release also enables the InfiniBand subnet manager to optimize signal integrity while maintaining the lowest power possible from the port. Additionally, updates to QSFP28 and CXP28 memory mapping support improved InfiniBand cable management.
This new Volume 2 release also improves upon interoperability and test methodologies for the latest InfiniBand data rates, namely EDR 100 Gb/s and FDR 56 Gb/s. These enhancements are achieved through updated EDR electrical requirements, amended testing methodology for EDR Limiting Active Cables, and FDR interoperability and test specification corrections.
With an aim toward supporting the ever-increasing deployment of virtualized solutions in HPC and enterprise cloud networks, the IBTA also published a new Virtualization Annex to Volume 1 Release 1.3. The Annex extends the InfiniBand specification to address multiple virtual machines connected to a single physical port, which allows subnet managers to recognize each logical endpoint and reduces the burden on the subnet managers as networks leverage virtualization for greater system scalability.
The InfiniBand Architecture Specification Volume 2 Release 1.3.1 and Volume 1 Release 1.3 are available for public download here.
Please contact us at press@infinibandta.org with questions about InfiniBand’s latest updates.
