Silverstorm 7000

Silverstorm 7000 ... dual port 4X (10Gb) host channel adapter (HCA) that enables the widest variety of current and next generation servers to realize the full benefits of InfiniBand.

The SilverStorm HCA 7000 creates an expressway between the server and the InfiniBand fabric, allowing information transfer at 10Gb/s, up to 10 times the bandwidth of current server interfaces - with up to 90% reduction in internal latency. A comprehensive host environment of high performance Upper Level Protocols (ULPs) contained within the QuickSilver software family, including MPI, Virtual Ethernet NIC, SRP (Fiber Channel), IBoIP, and uDAPL, enables the SilverStorm HCA 7000 to supercharge core business applications that are supported by DBMS clustering, High Performance Business Computing (HPBC), and High Availability Clustering. Like all offerings from SilverStorm Technologies, the SilverStorm ULPs seamlessly integrate with existing server environments requiring no changes to the operating system or application code.

Combined with its ULPs, SilverStorm HCA is the channel by which today's complex and costly enterprise environments can quickly evolve to feed ever-growing processing requirements. A SilverStorm HCA combined with a rich suite of standards-based ULPs can replace physical Ethernet NICs and HBAs with virtual Ethernet and Fiber Channel connections serviced by a SilverStorm HCA utilizing InfiniBand to Fiber Channel and InfiniBand to Ethernet gateways, which enable physical Ethernet and Fiber Channel ports to be shared by many virtual connections. A SilverStorm key is that unlike other approaches, the virtual Ethernet NIC connection supports all Ethernet protocols, not just IP. This includes IPX, SNA, and any custom protocol designed to use Ethernet as its transport.

SilverStorm leaves no application behind. These virtual connections enable an enhanced, less complex environment that provides equal or better throughput and availability while reducing cable clutter, human error created by complexity, and cost through reduction in the number of server interface cards, cables, cluster switches, and first level Ethernet and Fiber Channel switches. Clustering, Ethernet, and Fiber Channel are all concurrently supported via a single 10Gb fat pipe. The net effect is a significantly reduced level of infrastructure complexity and improved business responsiveness, with a lower total cost of ownership.

The HCA 7000, used in conjunction with SilverStorm's family of InfiniBand clustering switches and virtual I/O systems, is part of a complete end-to-end InfiniBand solution package ready to enable today's servers to handle tomorrow's processing requirements.