New server NIC for Linux boxes makes intriguing claims

NETWORK WORLD NEWSLETTER: PHIL HOCHMUTH ON LINUX
06/20/05
Today's focus: New server NIC for Linux boxes makes intriguing
claims

Dear networking.world@gmail.com,

In this issue:

* Level 5 aims to bump up bandwidth of Linux server connections
* Links related to Linux
* Featured reader resource
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Today's focus: New server NIC for Linux boxes makes intriguing
claims

By Phil Hochmuth

Users looking to get more bandwidth out of Linux server
connections may want to check out a new server adapter from
start-up Level 5.

The firm's EthernetFabric product - available this week for all
Linux servers running the 2.4 or 2.6 kernel - is a dual-port
Gigabit Ethernet NIC, which adds a new wrinkle into the
development of next-generation, high-capacity server
interconnect hardware, such as InfiniBand, Remote Direct Memory
Access (RDMA) and iWarp.

Level 5 says the server NIC improves on existing Ethernet NI C
architecture by distributing a separate TCP/IP software stack to
each application running on a Linux server (as opposed to all
applications having to access a single TCP/IP stack embedded in
the operating system). Level 5 says its hardware is designed to
give each application direct access to the memory space on the
NIC hardware, thus eliminating the need for applications to copy
data to system memory, which causes higher CPU utilization and
introduces latency into server I/O performance.

The TCP/IP stacks are installed during the NIC driver and
software installation process, where they are implemented as "LD
preload" libraries for each installed application, developers of
the technology say.

For server administrators looking into interconnect technology
such as InfiniBand or Myrinet, Level 5 says its Ethernet-based
technology offers cost advantages, since it works with standard
Ethernet LAN switch architecture, and does not require special
cabling or proprietary hardware. The vendor also claims the
EthernetFabric cards do not require significant changes to the
Linux kernel when installed, as opposed to other advanced
interconnect technologies that require major changes to the
operating system, such as RDMA or iWarp (which runs RDMA or
TCP/IP).

At around $500 for a two-port Gigabit card, the Level 5 gear
might be worth a test run. I'd be interested to hear if readers
find this technology actually delivers the performance
enhancements and compatibility features touted by the vendor vs.
standard Ethernet or other server-interconnect methods.

RELATED EDITORIAL LINKS

Levanta puts Linux management in a box
Network World, 06/20/05
http://www.networkworld.com/news/2005/062005-levanta.html?rl
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To contact: Phil Hochmuth

Phil Hochmuth is a Network World Senior Editor and a former
systems integrator. You can reach him at
<mailto:phochmut@nww.com>.
_______________________________________________________________
This newsletter is sponsored by DuPont
Reduce Fire Safety Risk in Your Network!

Concerns are rising about the growing number of combustible
cables present in buildings required to service the
ever-increasing demands of IT networks. More workstations are
taxing the infrastructure. These concerns are the thrust behind
new "limited combustible" cables that reduce fire safety risk.
Click here for news, a free demo CD and more. Visit DuPont's
Cabling center today!
http://www.fattail.com/redir/redirect.asp?CID=107006
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ARCHIVE LINKS

Breaking Linux news from Network World and around the 'Net,
updated daily: http://www.networkworld.com/topics/linux.html

Archive of the Linux newsletter:
http://www.networkworld.com/newsletters/linux/index.html
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