InfiniBand Virtual Fabric Configuration via Subnet Manager
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Solution Overview
Problem
Current Infiniband network configurations require separate and independent settings for Quality of Service (QOS), partitioning, and routing, leading to undesirable uniform routing that may not optimize network performance.
Innovation Solution
An enhanced subnet manager interface that allows users to input virtual fabric configuration parameters interrelating QOS, partitioning, and routing, enabling the subnet manager to compute and configure these elements in an integrated manner for switches and host channel adapters within the Infiniband fabric.
Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles
Engineering Contradiction Analysis
1Ease of operation
If separate and independent configuration parameters are used for QOS, partitioning, and routing, then the configuration process is simplified and manageable, but the routing becomes uniform and cannot be optimized for specific network performance requirements
Solution Approach 1:
The patent combines separate QOS, partitioning, and routing configuration parameters into a unified virtual fabric configuration parameter. This allows the subnet manager to compute all three elements in an interrelated manner, enabling non-uniform routing that optimizes network performance while maintaining configuration manageability through a single integrated parameter set.
Solution Approach 2:
The patent changes the configuration approach from multiple independent parameters to a single integrated virtual fabric parameter that encompasses QOS, partitioning, and routing. This parameter transformation enables the system to compute optimized, non-uniform routing paths while maintaining ease of configuration through a unified parameter interface.
2Extent of automation
If uniform routing is computed based on fabric topology, then the configuration process is automated and consistent, but the routing paths may not be desirable or optimized for user-specific requirements
Solution Approach 1:
The patent enables different routing paths to be computed for different virtual fabrics based on their specific requirements. Each virtual fabric can have customized QOS, partitioning, and routing parameters that reflect local quality requirements, allowing automated computation that adapts to user-specific needs rather than applying uniform routing across all fabrics.
Solution Approach 2:
The patent makes the routing configuration dynamic by allowing the subnet manager to compute QOS, partitioning, and routing parameters that adapt to specific virtual fabric requirements. The system transitions from static uniform routing to dynamic, customized routing that can be automatically computed based on user-desired parameters and specific fabric needs.
3Adaptability or versatility
If separate configuration parameters are provided to the subnet manager, then each parameter can be configured independently, but the interrelationships between QOS, partitioning, and routing cannot be optimized together
Solution Approach 1:
The patent merges independent QOS, partitioning, and routing configuration parameters into a single virtual fabric configuration parameter. This merging allows the subnet manager to analyze and compute all three elements together in an interrelated manner, optimizing their interactions while still allowing users to configure each aspect independently through the unified parameter structure.
Data Source
AI summary
A method and system for configuring an Infiniband fabric is provided. The method comprises providing a virtual fabric configuration parameter via an enhanced user interface to a subnet manager (“SM’) to configure a virtual fabric within the Infiniband fabric; analyzing the virtual fabric; determining if configuration based on the virtual fabric configuration parameter can be implemented; computing a quality of service (QOS) parameter, a routing and a partition such that the QOS parameter, routing and partitioning are interrelated; and configuring a plurality of switches and a plurality of host channel adapters (HCA's) within the virtual fabric.