User guide

1–FastFabric Overview

FastFabric Architecture

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If remote access to FastFabric is desired, set up remote access to the InfiniBand

Management Node using ssh, telnet, X-Windows, VNC or any other mechanism

which will allow the remote user to access a Linux Command Line shell. Typically

FastFabric is used only by cluster administrators.

How FastFabric Works

FastFabric consists of a variety of tools to administer hosts, chassis and externally

managed switches. Depending on the tool, the method of accessing and

administering the target devices may differ.

The following methods are used by FastFabric:

Tools which log in to other hosts will do so in a password-less manner using ssh or

telnet (configurable). Tools which log in to internally managed chassis can use ssh

or telnet (configurable). Chassis tools can prompt for a single password for all

chassis, use password-less ssh, or can be preconfigured with the password.

These approaches permit the tools to operate with minimal user interaction and

for this reason reduce the time to perform operations against many hosts or

chassis.

After initial installation, FastFabric can be configured to use IPoIB instead of the

management network.

Table 1-1. FastFabric Methods

Method Examples

Inband access through InfiniBand

Fabric Performance, Error and congestion moni-

toring. Fabric topology reports, SA database que-

ries, fabric error and link speed analysis, tools for

externally managed switches, etc.

work

Host setup and installation, tools for internally

managed chassis, etc.

MPI job startup (can be inband or

through a management network)

Verify MPI performance, running sample MPI

benchmarks.

NOTE:

IPoIB can not be used to reconfigure IPoIB or install new InfiniBand hosts.