Convert Mellanox MQ3601Q to Ethernet

[galvesribeiro]

Hello folks!

I'm considering buying a Dell PowerEdge M1000e Blade Server Chassis which comes with a Mellanox M3601Q switch I/O module on the chassis. The thing is that this switch according to Dell documentation is a Infiniband switch.

Is that possible to convert it to an ethernet switch? Like flashing a firmware or something else?

Thank you!

 

[i386]

I don't think so, it predates the vpi switches/asics from mellanox.

 

[nasbdh9]

This is InfiniScale IV, only supports IB

 

[necr]

there are Ethernet switches available for that chassis - MXL10/40 Gb and others. Take out IB blade(s), put Ethernet blades in. ConnectX3 blade AOCs will support both.

 

[galvesribeiro]

there are Ethernet switches available for that chassis - MXL10/40 Gb and others. Take out IB blade(s), put Ethernet blades in. ConnectX3 blade AOCs will support both.

Just spoke with the seller - he is saying that it comes with the blades a Mellanox ConnectX-3 56Gb InfiniBand FDR Mezzanine Card CX380A.Do you mean that card also support Ethernet as well?

Thanks!

 

[necr]

Just spoke with the seller - he is saying that it comes with the blades a Mellanox ConnectX-3 56Gb InfiniBand FDR Mezzanine Card CX380A.Do you mean that card also support Ethernet as well?

Thanks!

yes. Convert ports to Ethernet and you're done. Or install a VPI switch additionally (SX6012/SX6036) to route between Infiniband and Ethernet.

 

[galvesribeiro]

yes. Convert ports to Ethernet and you're done. Or install a VPI switch additionally (SX6012/SX6036) to route between Infiniband and Ethernet.

Thanks! Do you have anywhere to read about the conversion process?

i’ve found another vendor which already comes with that ethernet switch you mentioned. The rest of the network is ethernet. If it were RDMA would be a plus, but Infiniband we have no use for here.

I’m curious - those switch modules, do they interconnect internally like a regular switch all blades without need an external switch?

Never had played with it before and wide documentation besides Dell’s manual is not very much available.

Thanks!

 

[necr]

Thanks! Do you have anywhere to read about the conversion process?

Has been posted here on the forums, with mlxconfig on Linux, or with GUI on Windows.

I’m curious - those switch modules, do they interconnect internally like a regular switch all blades without need an external switch?

Correct, that's how all chassis work (storage or compute) - some blades, some midplane/backplane, some "control/network" blades that are connected to the same midplane.