Chapter 1. Introduction and general description 33
Table 1-13 Converged network modules supported by the QLogic CNA
1.6.5 InfiniBand switch module
The Voltaire 40 Gb InfiniBand Switch Module for BladeCenter provides InfiniBand QDR
connectivity between the blade server and external InfiniBand fabrics in non-blocking
designs, all on a single device. Voltaire's high speed module also accommodates
performance-optimized fabric designs using a single BladeCenter chassis or stacking
multiple BladeCenter chassis without requiring an external InfiniBand switch.
The InfiniBand switch module offers 14 internal ports, one to each server, and 16 ports out of
the chassis per switch.
The module's HyperScale architecture also provides a unique interswitch link or mesh
capability to form highly scalable, cost-effective, and low latency fabrics. Because this switch
has 16 uplink ports, they can create a meshed architecture and still have unblocked access to
data using the 14 uplink ports. This solution can scale from 14 to 126 nodes and offers
latency of less than 200 nanoseconds, allowing applications to operate at maximum
efficiency.
The PS700, PS701, and PS702 blades connect to the Voltaire switch through the CFFh form
factor 4X InfiniBand DDR Expansion Card (CFFh). The card is only supported in a
BladeCenter H and the two ports are connected to high speed I/O switch bays 7/8 and 9/10.
The Voltaire 40 Gb InfiniBand Switch Module for the BladeCenter H is shown in Table 1-14.
Table 1-14 InfiniBand switch module for IBM BladeCenter
1.6.6 Multi-switch Interconnect Module
The MSIM is a switch module container that fits in the high speed switch bays (bays 7 and 8
or bays 9 and 10) of the BladeCenter H chassis. Up to two MSIMs can be installed in the
BladeCenter H. The MSIM supports most standard switch modules.I/O module. I/O module to
MSIM compatibility matrixes can be reviewed at the following Web pages:
ServerProven:
Part
Number
Feature
Code
Description Number of
external ports
46C7191 1639 BNT Virtual Fabric 10 Gb Switch Module for IBM BladeCenter
a
b
a. Used for top-of-rack solution.
b. Use with Fabric Extension Module for self contain BladeCenter solution.
10 x 10 Gb SFP+
46M6181 1641 10 Gb Ethernet Pass-Thru Module for BladeCenter
a
14 x 10 Gb SFP+
46M6172 4799 QLogic Virtual Fabric Extension Module for IBM BladeCenter
c
d
c. Also requires BNT Virtual Fabric 10 Gb Switch Module.
d. BladeCenter H only.
6 x 8 Gb FC SFP
46M6071
0072
Cisco Nexus 4001I Switch Module for IBM BladeCenter
a
e
e. Support is planned.
6 x 10 Gb SFP+
Part
number
Feature
code
Description Number of
external ports
Type of external
ports
46M6005 0057 Voltaire 40 Gb InfiniBand Switch Module
a
a. BladeCenter H only
16 4X QDR (40 Gbps)