HPC scaling concepts
Applications running in parallel require a fast network connection between the individual cluster nodes. This is the only way to fully utilise the joint capacity of the individual CPUs. High-speed interconnects such as Myrinet or InfiniBand offer a high bandwidth with short network latency time. However, 10 Gigabit Ethernet can also be used here. | Overview |  |  | Ethernet |  | | Infiniband | | | Myricom | |
Overview
A dedicated high-speed interconnect is the ideal solution for applications with a high level of communication. This is a network that is customised to meet the specific requirements of an HPC cluster. transtec offers three different options:
Gigabit Ethernet connectivity
- Economical interconnect
- High port density
- Easy administration
- High-speed interconnect
- Low latency (1.2 µs)
- High-speed interconnect
- 10 Gigabit Ethernet
- Myricom MX
- Low latency (2.6 µs)
- Low purchase costs
- Easy administration
- Proven technology
- Latency from 1.3 - 2.6 µs
- Support for PCIe interface
- Full performance with dual-port cards
- Low latency from 2.0 - 3.2 µs
- Use under Myricom MX or 10 GbE
- Myricom MX switches for up to 512 ports
| Adapter | Latency | Throughput |
| Ethernet GB | ~ 25 - 30 us | > 105 MB/s |
| MYRI MX-10G. | ~ 2.6 us | > 1100 MB/s |
| IB Infinihost III | ~ 3.5 us | > 900 MB/s (SDR) / >1300 MB/s (DDR) |
| IB CX | ~ 1.2 us | > 900 MB/s (SDR) / > 1300 MB/s (DDR) |
Infiniband connectivity
Myrinet interconnect
Gigabit Ethernet
If the interconnect is required for SMP (Shared Memory Processing) jobs, the network plays a subordinate role. Gigabit Ethernet is the perfect choice for this kind of applications, and features:
Administrators familiar with Ethernet networks will have no problems with the connectivity for an HPC cluster.
InfiniBand
High speed - preventing the connectivity from becoming a bottleneck. This is a key challenge the more intensively the processes in an application communicate with one another. With the fourth generation of Mellanox ConnectX, InfiniBand offers dedicated products for multi-core architectures and minimum latency:
Myrinet
Equipped for the future. Myricom offers the user two options in a single product. Myricom adapters can be used to set up both Myrinet MX and 10 GbE connections. This allows the user to decide which technology to use. Unlike with Gigabit Ethernet, latencies close to InfiniBand levels can be achieved.
mytranstec: Login | register
Your project in the best of hands
Find out more about our expertise, the benefits to you and how a project runs. [read more]
transtec high-performance clusters are certified Intel cluster ready!
Find out more about our expertise, the benefits to you and how a project runs. [read more]
 | transtec cluster nodes Configurable processor options: |
Consultation: +44 (0)1295 756-100
Support: +44 (0)1295 756-140
Support: +44 (0)1295 756-140
transtec Computers Ltd. 01295 / 756100