Thanks
1. Sorry for this very basic q, trying to get my hardware straight and am confused regarding adapters/transceivers
a. The above mentioned adapters are for converting QSFP to SFP+ (ie connecting to a regular 10gbE switch)? If I were to get a
QSFP to 4xSFP+ cable I would not need those additionally?
b. Optical transceivers would only be needed if I wanted to use fiber instead of copper cables?
2. Are ib switches downward compatible? i.e. Could i get a DDR card and use it on a QDR switch (I assume so) ?
Answer:
As a standard-based solution, InfiniBand offers backward compatibility between the different speeds.
This allows users to expand their system and to connect newer parts to older existing ones.
3. Can I run multiple instances of opensm in the same network at the same time?
Answer:
There can be multiple subnet managers residing in a subnet as long as only one is active. Non-active subnet managers (StandbySubnet Managers) keep copies of the active subnet manager’s forwarding information and verify that the activesubnet manager is operational. If an active sub-net manager goes down, a standby subnet manager will take over responsibilities to ensure the fabric does not go down with it
4. What is the Mellanox Gateway license needed for (if at all)?
Answer:
Built with Mellanox's SwitchX-based switches, the InfiniBand to Ethernet gateway software license, or system, provides full port flexibility to toggle between 56Gb/s InfiniBand and either 10, 40 and 56Gb/s Ethernet with low 400ns latency.
With the new gateway functionality, the Mellanox edge switches can now be used for both InfiniBand and Ethernet switches at the same time with an integrated gateway capability between the two networks
-> Not sure how to activate that on my un-managed switch though
Edit:Found most of it by now, left in for others