Mellanox Boot over IB (BoIB) User Manual

This manual describes how to use Mellanox's Boot over IB (BoIB) feature, which allows systems to be booted from an InfiniBand network.

Mellanox Boot over IB (BoIB) User Manual - cover page
Brand
Boot
Category
Network Tools
Document type
User Manual
Language
English
Pages
28
File format
PDF
File size
2 MB
Published
09 May, 2012
Updated
30 September, 2023
MD5 checksum
48DE715FE84BD02F306F6199109D5D22
PDF
Mellanox Boot over IB (BoIB) User Manual PDF

About this manual

This manual describes Mellanox Boot over IB (BoIB), a software solution that enables booting operating systems over InfiniBand HCA devices. It covers the supported Mellanox HCAs, the BoIB package contents, and the steps required to burn the expansion ROM image onto the device.

The guide also details the DHCP server setup needed for BoIB, including client identifier formatting, DHCP and TFTP configuration, BIOS settings, and optional iSCSI boot procedures. Revision history and contact information for Mellanox Technologies are provided at the end.

What's inside

  • Overview
  • Supported Mellanox HCA Devices
  • BoIB Package
  • Burning the Expansion ROM Image
  • Preparing the DHCP Server
  • Installing DHCP
  • Configuring the DHCP Server
  • Subnet Manager – OpenSM
  • iSCSI Boot
  • Revision History

Specifications

Supported HCA – ConnectX IBFirmware: fw-25408
Supported HCA – InfiniHost II ExFirmware: fw-25218
Supported HCA – InfiniHost II LxFirmware: fw-25204
Device ID25218
Firmware Version5.3.0

Frequently asked questions

What DHCP server is required for BoIB?

BoIB requires a DHCP server that runs on a machine supporting IP over InfiniBand and has Mellanox OFED installed.

How do I burn the expansion ROM image to a Mellanox HCA?

Install the Mellanox Firmware Tools (MFT) package and use the mlxburn command to burn both the firmware and the expansion ROM image simultaneously.

What is the format of the BoIB client identifier?

The client identifier is 21 bytes long and is composed of the prefix "20", a 4‑byte QP number, and a 16‑byte GID.

Which Mellanox HCAs are supported by BoIB?

BoIB supports ConnectX IB, InfiniHost II Ex, and InfiniHost II Lx devices.

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