MXH918 PCIe 4.0 x8 NTB Host Adapter
PCIe 4.0 x8 NTB Host Adapter
The MXH918 PCIe 4.0 x8 NTB Host Adapter is our medium performance PCIe 4.0 clustering product. Based on Microchip Switchtec PCIe bridging architecture, the MXH918 host adapter includes advanced features for non-transparent bridging (NTB), DMA operations and clock isolation. The adapter card supports the full Dolphin eXpressWare software stack.
- One x8 PCIe edge port
- Two x4 PCIe Cable ports
- PCIe 4.0 cables
- 0.5 microsecond host to host latency
- Low Profile Design
- Dual SFF-8644 Connectors
- Non Transparent Bridging
- 128 Gbit/s Performance
- Full Dolphin Software Stack
MXH918 Product Data
The MXH918 PCIe 4.0 x8 NTB Host Adapter is our medium performance clustering product. Based on Microchip Switchtec® PCIe 4.0 bridging architecture, the MXH918 host adapter includes advanced features for non-transparent bridging (NTB) and clock isolation.
For high performance application developers, the MXH918 host adapter combines 128 Gbit/s performance with an application to application latency below 500 nanoseconds. Inter-processor communication benefits from the high throughput and low latency. Using the latest SmartIO technology software from Dolphin, GPU / Cuda applications can now stream data to remote GPUs at at the same speed as to local GPUs. Advanced DMA features enables fast data transfers hosts.
Dolphin eXpressWare
The MXH918 card comes with a full license to the Dolphin eXpressWare clustering software. This includes
- SISCI API - a robust and powerful shared memory programming environment for PCIe
- Standard TCP/IP drivers
- SuperSockets socket accelerator software
- SmartIO - access to remote PCIe devices over PCIe
- Board management software
Dolphin’s software suite takes advantage of DMA and PIO data transfer scheme to effectively supporting both large and small data transfers. PIO transfers optimize small packet transfers at the lowest latency. DMA moves data with virtually no CPU consumption. The eXpressWare software is currently available for Linux, Windows and VxWorks.
The overall software framework is designed for rapid development and deployment of inter-processor communication systems. More information about Dolphin eXpressWare clustering software.
Cables
The MXH918 card has a dual SFF-8644 cable connector and support PCIe 4.0 cables. The MXH918 is carefully designed for maximum cable lengths. Fiber optics extends this distance to 100 meters. More info on cable alternatives for the MXH918 card.
Configurations
The MXH918 can be used to create several types of PCIe networks:
- A two node network can be realized using 2 cables (x8). Full PCIe Gen4 x8 performance between the two systems.
- A three node network can be realized using 1 cable (x4) between each system. Full PCIe 4.0 x4 performance between the three systems.
- Larger configurations can be realized using one or more of the MXS924 24 port PCIe 4.0 switch.
PCIe Hot-Add
In combination with Dolphins eXpressWare, the MXH918 supports surprise hot add when connected to a traditional external IO system. More on Dolphins Hot Add. If you don't need Transparent Hot Add, please select the MXH932 Gen4 Adapter card.
Features
- PCI Express® 4.0 compliant - 16.0 GT/s per lane
- Link compliant with Gen1, Gen2, Gen3 PCI Express
- PCI Express 4.0 cables
- Dual SFF-8644 x4 PCI Express NTB cable ports that can be configured as:
- One - x8 PCI Express port
- Two - x4 PCI Express ports
- RDMA support through DMA, PIO and System DMA
- Copper and fiber-optic cable connectors
- Full host Clock isolation support. Automatic support for host running CFC or SSC
- Non-transparent bridging to cabled PCI Express systems
- Low profile PCI Express form factor
- FLASH for system configuration
- Link status LEDs through face plate
Dolphin PCIe Gen4 NTB Host Adapter comparison
The table below compares the PCIe Gen 4.NTB host adapters available from Dolphin.
| Feature | Description |
|---|---|
| Link Speeds | 64 Gbit/s per port, total 128 Gbit/s |
| Application Performance | Less than 500 nanosecond latency (application to application) |
| Active Components | Microchip Switchtec® PCI Express 4.0 Switch |
| PCI Express® | Base Specification 4.0 |
| Topologies | 2 node direct cable |
| Cable Port | Two SFF-8644 / Two x4 Gen4 Ports |
| Supported cables | PCIe 4.0 cables |
| Maximum power rating | 12 Volt: max 1.66A (no port power) 2.86A (max port power) |
| Typical power rating | 12 Volt: 1.5 A (no port power) |
| Port power supply (per cable port) | VPWR: 3.2V - 3.4V, 0.86A |
| Mechanical Dimensions | Low profile, Half length 167.65mm- (6.6 inches) x 68.90 mm (2.731 inches) |
| Operating Environment | Operating Temperature: 0°C - 55°C (32°F - 131°F) Airflow : 350 LFM (preliminary) Relative Humidity: 5% - 95% (non- condensing) |
| Software | SuperSockets™ Berkley Sockets API Microsoft WinSock2/LSP support SISCI API TCP/IP driver |
| Multicast groups | Max 16, default 4 |
| Configuration | DIP-Switch |
| Regulatory approvals | CE Mark |
| Regulatory EMC tests |
EN 55032:2012 |
| Operating Systems |
Windows |
MXH918 - NTB Host + Dolphin eXpressWare software license
MXH917 - Transparent Host