Infiniband

Definition

Infiniband is a high-speed networking standard used for interconnecting servers and storage systems in data centers and high-performance computing environments. It enables efficient communication between nodes in a parallel architecture, providing low latency and high throughput for data-intensive applications.

5 Must Know Facts For Your Next Test

1. Infiniband supports both direct memory access (DMA) and remote direct memory access (RDMA), enabling efficient data transfer without involving the CPU.
2. The technology is capable of delivering bandwidths ranging from 2.5 Gbps up to 400 Gbps, making it suitable for applications requiring large amounts of data movement.
3. Infiniband can be implemented in both point-to-point and switched fabric configurations, allowing for flexible network topologies.
4. It is particularly useful in environments where low latency is critical, such as scientific simulations and financial modeling, due to its ability to minimize delays in communication.
5. Many supercomputers and large-scale data centers utilize Infiniband to ensure high-speed connectivity between numerous compute nodes, enhancing overall system performance.

Review Questions

• How does Infiniband contribute to the efficiency of parallel architectures?
  • Infiniband enhances the efficiency of parallel architectures by providing low-latency communication and high throughput between nodes. This is crucial for applications that rely on rapid data transfer among multiple processors. Its support for remote direct memory access (RDMA) allows data to be transferred directly between memory locations without involving the CPU, significantly reducing processing delays and improving overall performance in parallel computing tasks.
• What are the advantages of using Infiniband over traditional Ethernet networks in high-performance computing scenarios?
  • Using Infiniband in high-performance computing offers several advantages over traditional Ethernet networks, including lower latency, higher bandwidth, and better support for parallel processing. Infiniband's architecture enables efficient data movement with minimal overhead, making it ideal for applications that require quick access to large datasets. Additionally, its ability to handle multiple simultaneous connections enhances the scalability of computational tasks, which is essential in environments with numerous interconnected nodes.
• Evaluate the role of Infiniband in shaping the future of data centers and high-performance computing environments.
  • Infiniband plays a significant role in shaping the future of data centers and high-performance computing by facilitating faster and more efficient data communication among interconnected systems. As workloads become increasingly data-driven and computationally intensive, the demand for higher bandwidth and lower latency will continue to grow. Infiniband's capabilities address these needs, making it an attractive option for organizations seeking to enhance their computing power. Its integration with advanced technologies like machine learning and big data analytics further solidifies its position as a cornerstone of modern computing infrastructure.

Related terms

High-Performance Computing (HPC): A field of computing that focuses on the development of powerful computing systems to perform complex calculations at high speeds, often using parallel processing.

Message Passing Interface (MPI): A standardized and portable message-passing system designed to allow processes to communicate with one another in a parallel computing environment.

Data Center: A facility that houses computer systems and associated components, such as telecommunications and storage systems, often optimized for high availability and efficient data processing.