31-01-2009, 11:14 AM
Mellanox and related companies are now positioned to release InfiniBand as a multifaceted architecture within several market segments. The most notable application area is enterprise class network clusters and Internet data centers. These types of applications require extreme performance with the maximum in fault tolerance and reliability. Other computing system uses include Internet service providers, co-location hosting, and large corporate networks. IBA will also see marketing in the embedded device arena for high-speed routers, switches, and massive telecommunications devices.At least for the initial introduction, InfiniBand is positioned as a complimentary architecture. IBA will move through a transitional period where future PCI, IBA, and other interconnect standards can be offered within the same system or network. The understanding of PCI limitations (even PCI-X) should allow InfiniBand to be an aggressive market contender as higher-class systems move towards the conversion to IBA devices. Currently, Mellanox is developing the IBA software interface standard using Linux as their internal OS choice. The open source nature of Linux allows for easy code modification. At release, InfiniBand will also be supported by Microsoft Windows and the future Windows Whistler. Expect Unix support to be available as well, considering the relative ease of porting Linux-based drivers.
Another key concern is the costs of implementing InfiniBand at the consumer level. Industry sources are currently projecting IBA prices to fall somewhere between the currently available Gigabit Ethernet and Fibre Channel technologies. Assuming these estimates prove accurate, InfiniBand could be positioned as the dominant I/O connectivity architecture at all upper tier levels. These same sources also offered current rumors that InfiniBand is being researched at the vendor level as possibility for a future I/O standard in mid-range PC desktops and workstations. Considering the competitive price point of IBA, this projection offers ominous potential at all market levels. This is definitely a technology to watch.
