perfSONAR User Q&A and Other Discussion

["Jeffrey R. Lang" <>]

We have tried both cards and prefer the Mellanox.  We have  used both the 
Connectx-3 and ConnectX-4 VPI cards.  They are either Infiniband or Ethernet 
capable cards and support different speeds from 10Gb to 100Gb depending on 
card. We also use the VPI Mellanox cables due to being able to support the 
different speeds and networking.  On the connectX-4 we have been able to 
drive it at 98Gb/s in a back to back system iperf test.   Were in the process 
of setting up two of these for public access and transfer testing.

We have had issues with the Intel 40Gb nic, both in firmware and driver.   
Intel finally provided working firmware and a driver and things started 
working.   We didn't use these allot in performance testing with perfsonar.

Overall we like the features and different speeds that the Mellanox cards 
provide.

jef

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Subject: [perfsonar-user] Which NIC card to get?

Does anyone have any experience they are willing to share on Mellanox or 
Intel 10Gb/40Gb NICs?

I am in a position to purchase a few servers which will be used for the 
latest perfSonar and I see them both as options. They both seem to be well 
supported in linux but was hoping to get some real world advice. 

Thank you.