ACADEMIA

With the needs of High-Performance Computing (HPC) and advanced data centers converging, Myricom, Inc., has successfully tested joint 10-Gigabit Ethernet networking solutions with Fujitsu Computer Products of America, Inc., one of the world's leading suppliers of innovative computer products. Addressing the demands of HPC environments seeking broader interoperability and of enterprises requiring HPC-caliber performance in media, storage, and other intensive applications, Myricom and Fujitsu demonstrated interoperability and near-wire-speed user-level throughput in combined tests of both companies' latest 10-Gigabit products. The tests featured a Fujitsu 10-Gigabit Ethernet switch in conjunction with Myricom's Myri-10G 10-Gigabit Network Interface Cards (NICs). The Fujitsu XG700 layer-2, non-blocking, 12-port, 10-Gigabit Ethernet (10GbE) switch is based on the world's first 10GbE switch-on-a-chip. The XG700 supports 10 Gbps data rates full-duplex on all incoming and outgoing ports simultaneously, and demonstrates industry-leading low latency at 450ns. With a host of advanced features including link aggregation, IGMP snooping, port security, ingress rate control, and cut-through and store-and-forward routing, the Fujitsu XG700 switch is a cost-effective solution for HPC clusters, enterprise server and storage networks, and media conversion. The newest generation of products from Myricom, a decade-long global leader in HPC, introduces a convergence of the company's renowned Myrinet interconnect with 10-Gigabit Ethernet. Rapidly gaining traction among HPC users, enterprise data centers, and global Ethernet networking leaders, Myri-10G solutions have set new performance standards for the industry at highly competitive price points. As Myri-10G increasingly appeals to broad- based enterprises as well as HPC users, Myricom expects efforts such as its alliance with Fujitsu to speed deployments in both arenas. In conducting the tests, the engineers encountered no problems with setup or interoperability. Performance testing employed standard benchmarks such as "netperf" in servers in which Myri-10G, PCI-Express, 10GBase-CX4 NICs and Myricom's Linux drivers were installed. With 9KByte jumbo frames, the engineers consistently observed sustained UDP/IP traffic up to 9920 Megabits/s, essentially at the theoretical limit for 10GbE (considering the required 64-Byte gap between 10GbE frames). The measured, short-message latency through the Fujitsu XG700 switch was approximately 0.4 microseconds. In random-traffic TCP/IP tests, there were no packet-data errors, and theoretically ideal arbitration. "Test results such as these reflect very positively both on the Fujitsu XG700 switch and on Myricom's NICs, and provide assurance that our joint customers will be pleased with the performance and dependability of systems that use these products together," says Myricom founder and CEO Dr. Chuck Seitz. "Also, the tests we've just completed support Fujitsu's reputation for engineering excellence as well as being wonderful to work with. The XG700 is a very fine switch that should thrive in rigorous HPC, embedded-system, and data-center environments." Vic Herring, senior director, New Products Group at Fujitsu envisions early adopters including applications in the medical and financial industries, and systems for storing and conveying high-speed video. "It's very difficult to get true wire-speed on 10-Gigabit, but Fujitsu and Myricom are consistently achieving over 9.8 Gbps in joint trials," Herring says. "This gives advanced data centers tremendous power for storage, media, and other highly intensive applications."