Utilizing Remote Direct Memory Access (RDMA) technology over an InfiniBand network is crucial for achieving high throughput and low latency in data transfers between servers, essential for high-performance computing tasks like cluster computing, real-time databases, and large-scale data processing applications. This article provides detailed instructions for configuring CentOS 7 to support these technologies.

Prerequisites

Before initiating the configuration, ensure your system meets the following prerequisites:

• Installed CentOS 7 operating system.
• At least one InfiniBand adapter is physically connected and properly identified by the system.
• Connection to an InfiniBand network.

Installation and Configuration of Drivers

1. System Update

The first step is to update your system. Open a terminal and run the following command:

sudo yum update

2. Installation of InfiniBand Support

Install the necessary packages to support InfiniBand and RDMA. These packages include drivers, libraries, and tools essential for management and configuration.

sudo yum groupinstall "Infiniband Support"
sudo yum install infiniband-diags perftest qperf

Network Configuration

1. IPoIB Configuration (IP over InfiniBand)

RDMA communication requires IP addresses to be configured on InfiniBand adapters. This allows communication between devices at the IP level over the InfiniBand network.

• Determine the name of your InfiniBand interface using the ibv_devinfo command.
• Create a configuration file for the interface, e.g., /etc/sysconfig/network-scripts/ifcfg-ib0, and set the IP address, subnet mask, and other network parameters.

2. Ensuring Automatic Startup

To ensure the automatic startup of InfiniBand services at system boot, enable and start the rdma service.

sudo systemctl enable rdma
sudo systemctl start rdma

Testing the Configuration

Upon completing the configuration, it's essential to perform tests to verify the functionality of RDMA.

• Use the ibping tool to test connectivity at the InfiniBand level.
• For testing RDMA transfer performance, utilize ibv_rc_pingpong on both the server and client sides.

Advanced Configuration and Tuning

For achieving maximum performance, advanced configuration and tuning can be performed.

• MTU Tuning: Set the Maximum Transmission Unit (MTU) to the highest possible value for your InfiniBand interface to increase transfer efficiency.
• Partition Key (P_Key) Configuration: P_Key segregates network traffic into different logical segments. For security and performance optimization, configure P_Key according to your application's needs.

 

Configuring CentOS 7 for RDMA over InfiniBand network is a complex yet crucial task for enhancing the performance of computational and network operations. By following the outlined steps, you ensure your system is properly configured for high-speed data transfers. For further optimization and tuning, consult the documentation for your specific InfiniBand devices and continuously monitor network traffic performance.