Home Computing IBTA Unveils XDR InfiniBand Specification to Enable the Next Generation of AI and Scientific Computing

IBTA Unveils XDR InfiniBand Specification to Enable the Next Generation of AI and Scientific Computing

by Amelia Ramiro

XDR InfiniBand Will Provide Unprecedented 800Gb/s Server and Storage Connectivity, Elevating AI and HPC Infrastructure Capabilities

BEAVERTON, Ore., October 06, 2023–(BUSINESS WIRE)–The InfiniBand® Trade Association (IBTA), a global organization dedicated to developing and furthering the adoption of RDMA technologies, today announced the immediate availability of the IBTA Specification Volume 1 Release 1.7 and Volume 2 release 1.5. The Volume 1 Release 1.7 includes initial specifications for XDR and lays the foundation for the next speed generation in the IBTA roadmap, providing 2x increased bandwidth over the previous generation to meet the rapid performance and scalability demands of AI and HPC data centers. With SerDes support of 200Gb/s per lane, XDR-capable adapters and switches will provide unprecedented 800Gb/s speeds per port, and support for XDR switch-to-switch connections at 1.6Tb/s.

Additional features in the Volume 1 Release 1.7 and Volume 2 Release 1.5 specifications include improved support for large radix switches, mechanisms to improve congestion control in InfiniBand and RoCE-based fabrics using network probes, as well as the final physical specifications for NDR 400Gb/s InfiniBand.

“High bandwidth, low latency and power-efficient interconnections are critical for AI and HPC applications that involve large-scale data processing and analysis, such as scientific simulations, deep learning, and training neural networks on vast datasets,” said Alan Benner, senior technical staff member at IBM, and Chair of the ElectroMechanical Working Group at IBTA. “XDR InfiniBand sets the stage for the next generation of AI and scientific computing with unprecedented 800Gb/s speeds, empowering AI applications and furthering the frontiers of knowledge and discovery.”

Volume 1 of the InfiniBand specification suite comprises the core of the InfiniBand Architecture, specifying requirements for InfiniBand switches, routers, and adapters. It also specifies a complete architecture for managing an InfiniBand fabric. Its companion, Volume 2, specifies the physical aspects of the architecture.

Resources:

  • Download IBTA Specification Volume 1 Release 1.7
  • Download IBTA Specification Volume 2 Release 1.5
  • View IBTA Specification Volume 1 Release 1.7 Overview
  • To participate in defining the future of AI, become an IBTA Member

About the InfiniBand® Trade Association

The InfiniBand® Trade Association was founded in 1999 and is chartered with maintaining and furthering the InfiniBand and the RoCE specifications. The IBTA is led by a distinguished steering committee that includes HPE, IBM, Intel Corporation, Marvell Technology Group and NVIDIA. Other members of the IBTA represent leading enterprise IT vendors who are actively contributing to the advancement of the InfiniBand and RoCE specifications. The IBTA markets and promotes InfiniBand and RoCE from an industry perspective through online, marketing and public relations engagements, and unites the industry through IBTA-sponsored technical events and resources. For more information on the IBTA, visit www.infinibandta.org.

InfiniBand (TM/SM) and RoCE are trademark and service marks of the IBTA. Other names and brands are the property of their respective owners.

View source version on businesswire.com: https://www.businesswire.com/news/home/20231005429279/en/

Contacts:

Denise Jarrett-Weeks
IBTA Administrator
InfiniBand Trade Association
Phone: 503.619.0565
[email protected]

Article:

The InfiniBand® Trade Association (IBTA) has announced the availability of the IBTA Specification Volume 1 Release 1.7 and Volume 2 release 1.5. This release includes initial specifications for XDR, a technology that will significantly enhance server and storage connectivity. XDR will provide unprecedented speeds of 800Gb/s, elevating the capabilities of AI and HPC infrastructure.

The IBTA is dedicated to the development and adoption of RDMA technologies, and the latest specification release paves the way for the next speed generation in the IBTA roadmap. With 2x increased bandwidth over the previous generation, XDR is poised to meet the rapidly evolving performance and scalability demands of AI and HPC data centers.

XDR-capable adapters and switches will support speeds of 800Gb/s per port, thanks to their SerDes support of 200Gb/s per lane. In addition, XDR will enable switch-to-switch connections at a remarkable speed of 1.6Tb/s. These high bandwidths, low latency, and power-efficient interconnections are critical for AI and HPC applications that involve large-scale data processing and analysis. XDR InfiniBand sets the stage for the next generation of AI and scientific computing, empowering AI applications and pushing the boundaries of knowledge and discovery.

The Volume 1 Release 1.7 and Volume 2 Release 1.5 specifications also feature improved support for large radix switches and congestion control in InfiniBand and RoCE-based fabrics using network probes. Furthermore, the final physical specifications for NDR 400Gb/s InfiniBand are included in this release.

The InfiniBand specification suite is divided into two volumes. Volume 1 comprises the core of the InfiniBand Architecture, specifying requirements for InfiniBand switches, routers, and adapters. It also details a complete architecture for managing an InfiniBand fabric. Volume 2 specifies the physical aspects of the architecture.

To access the IBTA specifications, interested parties can download IBTA Specification Volume 1 Release 1.7 and Volume 2 Release 1.5. Additionally, the IBTA offers resources such as an overview of IBTA Specification Volume 1 Release 1.7. Those looking to participate in defining the future of AI can become an IBTA member.

The InfiniBand Trade Association, founded in 1999, is responsible for maintaining and furthering the InfiniBand and RoCE specifications. Led by a distinguished steering committee, the IBTA includes HPE, IBM, Intel Corporation, Marvell Technology Group, NVIDIA, and other leading enterprise IT vendors who contribute to the advancement of the InfiniBand and RoCE specifications. The IBTA promotes and markets InfiniBand and RoCE through online, marketing, and public relations engagements. It also unites the industry through IBTA-sponsored technical events and resources.

In conclusion, XDR InfiniBand with its unprecedented 800Gb/s speeds is set to revolutionize AI and HPC infrastructure capabilities. With the release of the IBTA Specification Volume 1 Release 1.7 and Volume 2 Release 1.5, the future of AI and scientific computing looks promising, enabling breakthroughs in various fields of knowledge and discovery.

Source: [Business Wire](https://www.businesswire.com/news/home/20231005429279/en/)

Contacts:
Denise Jarrett-Weeks
IBTA Administrator
InfiniBand Trade Association
Phone: 503.619.0565
[email protected]

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