Just scored this IB switch, how did I do?

[Dajinn]

Mellanox IS5030 36 Port QDR Infiniband Switch | eBay

Seller accepted 250, might go even lower.

Details here: http://www.mellanox.com/related-docs/prod_ib_switch_systems/IS5030.pdf

 

[neo]

Good price. Good switch. It sounds like a jet plane at take-off though.

What will you be using to connect to it?

 

[Dajinn]

I'll probably pick up some connectx-2 cards, still waiting on a seller to respond to an offer I sent actually, and go IPoIB.

 

[groove]

Does it quite down after initial startup or does it stay loud through out the time its on ?

Good price. Good switch. It sounds like a jet plane at take-off though.

What will you be using to connect to it?

 

[neo]

I'll probably pick up some connectx-2 cards, still waiting on a seller to respond to an offer I sent actually, and go IPoIB.

Sounds good, just make sure you purchase QSFP ConnectX-2 card though.

Does it quite down after initial startup or does it stay loud through out the time its on ?

Not from what I have observed. They are designed to run at 100% load 24/7 in a datacenter. Generates quite a bit of heat too.

 

[Dajinn]

Does it quite down after initial startup or does it stay loud through out the time its on ?

If you are thinking of purchasing one of the switches I linked in OP I would hold off until I can report back on some details I'm waiting on from the seller. They seem clueless. I think they only have a few on hand but I literally gave them super specific instructions on how to check the specific model number and they were like sorry, didn't see it but here's a picture of a useless generic Mellanox label that shows IS-50xx.

The information is relevant because the model depends on which rail kit you need to get and also the FabricIT license key is located on a tab physically on the switch. It is possible the labels get removed during resale so I asked for pictures of both sides of the tab...

 

[Dajinn]

Looks like someone already got it.

 

[Dajinn]

I'm a little hesitant on sending payment for this switch as I am not able to easily find the download location for their subnet manager. I think you need to request a login for it. Has anyone purchased a used IB/Mellanox switch and requested a login and gotten access?

 

[T_Minus]

Not there yet, but it sounds like there is potentially 3 of us going to play around with IB

I'd imagine we can figure it out

519571 B21 HP Voltaire Infiniband 4036 36PORT 4XQDR Managed Switch VLT 30111 0884420783428 | eBay

Still many left of that one.

 

[Dajinn]

do all of the mellanox based IB switches use the same openSM manager unless you license or get access to their special management programs?

 

[Dajinn]

I posted on the Mellanox community forums regarding S/w downloads for second-hand switches and this is the response I got:

"Typically the support site and new versions download is reserved for contracted customers.

You can certainly purchase a support contract for this switch. Mellanox support can help with that."

I guess I'm just worried that with whatever platform I end up using whether or not it's some UNIX distro/hypervisor or Windows /w Hyper-V that at a bare minimum I'll be able to manage VLANs or IP configs at the switch level?

I take it that these "managed" switches nullify the need to have openSM run on individual nodes that are interconnected with ConnectX adapters, right?

Would love to get some final information about those things before I end up with a 250 dollar paperweight.

 

[Dajinn]

After some additional contact with Mellanox support I received a FabricIT .img file and user manual.

Will provide download links shortly once they finish(internet slow at work today). I assume you need a license key from the switch to use FabricIT.

 

[Dajinn]

FabricIT management manual: Dropbox - FabricIT EFM 1.1.3004 User Manual.pdf

FabricIT image: Dropbox - image-PPC_M405EX-EFM_1.1.3004.img