Created by Myricom, Myrinet is fundamentally a networking communication (packet communication and switching) scheme which seeks to boost network messaging performance between clustered host computers. The link and routing specifications for Myrinet are published and open, and are an ANSI standard (ANSI/VITA 26-1998). Myricom offers documentation explaining the functionality and use of the Myrinet platform, as well as hardware and software allowing for its implementation in computational clusters.

Similar to traditional networks, Myrinet networks employ interface cards in the host machines that individually connect to switches; forming the fabric of the computing cluster. Host software (supplied by Myricom) provides the interface between the host operating system/applications and the network operations. The key benefit in utilizing Myrinet networking technology is message passing speed. Myricom reports that with single-port NICs, measured, user-level, one-way, data rates are ~1.98 Gb/s, and two-way (summed bidirectional) data rates are ~3.92 Gb/s. With high-end, dual-port NICs, the measured, user-level, one-way data rate is ~3.9 Gb/s, and on hosts with good PCI-X throughput, the two-way (summed bidirectional) data rate approaches 6.4 Gb/s.

Key technologies of this performance include the ability of the host interfaces to offload protocol processing from the host computer (the interface firmware interacts directly with host processes and the network, bypassing operating system calls), and the ability of the Myrinet switch mechanisms to employ fully bisectioned Clos network topologies. The messaging software itself, loaded on the host machines, can automatically map the network and provide for shortest path communications between hosts without requiring switch programming or routing tables.

Interface cards for Myrinet connectivity are supplied by Myricom in single and dual port PCI/PCI-X form factors. Software is available for various host machines enabling communication accross the Myrinet network via Myricom's GM (Message Passing System) or newer MX (Myrinet eXpress) core platforms. On top of this core message-passing capability can be loaded various "bridges" available from both Myricom and third parties allowing for the use of applications based on existing messaging schemes (such as IP or UDP) on top of the GM core, which allows for message transmissions of any length.

At the center of the Myrinet system is the switch enclosure, which houses a fully bisectioned port cluster for up to 256 host computers (enclosures can also be "chained" together by utilizing part of the enclosure's capacity for inter-switch link line cards, also available from Myricom). Port enclosures are available accommodating 2, 4, 8, and 16 line cards with an optional monitoring card. While original Myricom equipment allowed for 8 port implementations on each card (with the backplane of the largest enclosure supporting 8 16 port spine connections), newer technology from Myricom increases this density to 16 ports per card, allowing for the connectivity of up to 256 hosts in a single enclosure. Multiple 256 port enclosures can be linked to create a fabric of up to 1280 hosts. While line cards are available offering Fiber, Serial, or SAN (System Area Network) connections, Myricom recommends Fiber for best performance.

The 256 port offering sports hot-swappable line cards, fans, and power supplies (4).

New to the Myrinet family are 10 Gigabit capable switches (Myri-10G) and NICs.

The Myri-10G switches provide from 16 to 128 ports in single enclosures (again, multiple switches can be interconnected); and the NICs feature the ability to communicate both with Myrinet 10G switches and standard 10 Gig Ethernet gear. The vendor notes that protocol-conversion devices will connect 10G Myrinet switch fabrics to 10-Gigabit Ethernet IP networks and storage.

Pricing for interface cards starts at $495. Switch line cards start at $2,400, while switch enclosures start at $1,600. The 256 port configuration can be purchased with a retail price of $312 per host. For the newer 10G equipment, 10GBase-CX4 port NICs will list for $795 (the vendor notes that other flavors, including fiber will also be available); and the Myri-10G switches will include a standalone 1U 16-port switch with a list price of $6,400, and modular offerings with capacity of up to 128 ports and pricing as low as $400 per port. The 10G gear is expected to ship in September.

Contact Myricom for further information.

product submission by EITPlanet Staff

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