Compaq ProLiant CL380 ServerNet II SAN Interconnect for Scalable Computing Clu - Page 9

WHITE PAPER (cont.) Doc Number TC000602WP ... THE FUTURE WITH INFINIBAND Although ServerNet II SAN architectures provide excellent performance for today's parallel application clusters, distributed computing systems still require multiple interconnects because interprocessor communication is different from I/O communication. Distributed computing systems consist of multiple, function-specific fabrics for interprocessor communication, IP networks, and storage area networks. A single I/O architecture is needed both to simplify existing interconnect methodologies and to provide a flexible framework for proven computing and storage technologies to evolve. Therefore, in 1999 Compaq and other industry leaders2 formed the InfiniBandSM Trade Association (http://www.infinibandta.org) to develop a new industry-standard specification for a channel-based, switched fabric I/O interconnect. The goal of the InfiniBand Trade Association is to combine the best traits of existing interconnect technologies into a single specification called the InfiniBand Architecture. The InfiniBand Architecture will reduce the complexity of distributed computing systems by using a single communication fabric for both I/O and interprocessor communication. During 2000, Compaq ServerNet II will provide customers with a bridge to InfiniBand by implementing InfiniBand verbs over ServerNet II. This will allow ISVs and early adopters to begin porting their applications to InfiniBand before InfiniBand hardware is available. SUMMARY Compaq's ServerNet II SAN interconnect addresses the need for efficient messaging in scalable computing clusters. ServerNet II leverages several industry-standard features of the VI Architecture to handle intense messaging efficiently and reliably with minimal impact to other critical system resources. These features add robustness to a cluster and allow it to scale to tens of servers. For the long term, Compaq is investing in the InfiniBand Architecture as a common I/O switchedfabric interconnect for the industry. Compaq intends to emulate InfiniBand verbs using ServerNet II during 2000 for early InfiniBand development partners. 2 Steering committee companies include Compaq, Dell, Hewlett-Packard, IBM, Intel, Microsoft, and Sun Microsystems. Sponsoring companies include Adaptec Inc., Cisco Systems Inc., Fujitsu-Siemens, Hitachi, Lucent Technologies, NEC, Nortel Networks Corp, and 3Com. There are also over 120 member companies. 9