QLogic Introduces Automated InfiniBand Fabric Optimization with New HPC Management Tools

By DE Editors

QLogic Corp. has released InfiniBand Fabric Suite (IFS) 6.0, a new version of its fabric management software package for high performance computing (HPC) clusters.

As clusters scale, communications among applications and nodes become more complex and the potential for inefficiency, bottlenecks, and failures grows. IFS 6.0 incorporates Virtual Fabrics configurations with application-specific class-of-service (CoS), Adaptive Routing, and Dispersive Routing. It also includes performance-enhanced versions of vendor-specific MPI libraries, and support for torus and mesh network topologies. The result is a suite of features that network managers can use to maximize throughput, eliminate the effects of path congestion, and automate quality-of-service (QoS) on a per-application basis, according to the company. IFS 6.0’s Adaptive and Dispersive Routing capabilities increase network routing intelligence as the number of nodes and switches scales, says QLogic.

“Effective fabric management has become the most important factor in maximizing performance in an HPC cluster investment and as clusters scale, issues like congestion mitigation and QoS can make a big difference in whether the fabric performs up to its potential,” says Addison Snell, president of InterSect 360 Research.

“Clients using high-performance computing clusters need more efficient systems and better resource utilization, while reducing operating costs,” says Glenn Keels, director of marketing, Scalable Computing and Infrastructure organization, HP. “The combination of HP Cluster Platforms and QLogic InfiniBand Fabric Suite enables our clients to achieve the best results possible for their most demanding high-performance computing applications.”

For more information, visit QLogic.

Sources: Press materials received from the company and additional information gleaned from the company's website.