Chapter 2. Architecture and technical overview 77
InfiniBand is based on a switched fabric architecture of serial point-to-point links, where these
IB links can be connected to either host channel adapters (HCAs), used primarily in servers,
or to target channel adapters (TCAs), used primarily in storage subsystems.
The InfiniBand physical connection consists of multiple byte lanes. Each individual byte lane
is a four-wire, 2.5, 5.0, or 10.0 Gbps bidirectional connection. Combinations of link width and
byte-lane speed allow for overall link speeds from 2.5 Gbps to 120 Gbps. The architecture
defines a layered hardware protocol, and also a software layer to manage initialization and
the communication between devices. Each link can support multiple transport services for
reliability and multiple prioritized virtual communication channels.
For more information about InfiniBand, read HPC Clusters Using InfiniBand on IBM Power
Systems Servers, SG24-7767.
IBM offers the GX++ 12X DDR Adapter that plugs into the system backplane (GX++ slot).
There are two GX++ slots in each CEC enclosure. By attaching a 12X to 4X converter cable
(FC 1828), an IB switch can be attached.
Table 2-19 lists the available InfiniBand adapters.
Table 2-19 Available InfiniBand adapters
2.8.12 Asynchronous and USB adapters
Asynchronous PCI adapters provide connection of asynchronous EIA-232 or RS-422
devices. Table 2-20 lists the available asynchronous and USB adapters.
Table 2-20 Available asynchronous adapters
Feature
code
CCIN Adapter description Slot Size OS
support
1808 2BC3 GX++ 12X DDR adapter, Dual-port GX++ Standard
size
AIX, IBM i,
Linux
5285 58E2 2-Port 4X IB QDR adapter 40 Gb PCIe Full
height
AIX, IBM i,
Linux
Feature
code
CCIN Adapter description Slot Size OS
support
2728 57D1 4-port USB PCIe adapter PCIe Short AIX, Linux
5289 57D4 2-Port Async EIA-232 PCIe
adapter, 2-Port RJ45 Async
PCIe Short AIX, Linux
5785 57D2 4-Port Asynchronous EIA-232
PCIe adapter
PCIe Short AIX, Linux
Heartbeats: PowerHA releases no longer support heartbeats over serial connections.
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