Saturday, May 16, 2020

Relicensing or converting QSFP+, QSFP28, QSFP28+ Infiniband switches to Ethernet. Seeking advice from those who have done it.

I need to convert a used Infiniband switch (not yet purchased) to Ethernet. L3 management would be nice, but I can live without if that requirement makes the conversion too complex or expensive. 16 ports are enough, if count matters.

I've spent hours searching this topic with limited conclusive success. People in other forums say they've done it easily. Some for free, some for a couple hundred bucks for a license. Others say support is spotty and don't do it, even within the same model/family due to changes in firmware or varying components. Some have done it through undisclosed methods, some by purchasing a license, and some by flashing an open OS. Reports are all over the place, and unfortunately, so many posters didn't bother listing what model they succeeded or failed with. Thanks, uncertainty.

So, r/networking, what's the real deal on repurposing surplus Infiniband gear for Ethernet and saving it from the dump?

For those who have done it, which switch did you use, how much did the license cost (if any), and were there any pitfalls -- especially if I'm reloading software as some have suggested?

Would anyone recommend a specific model for ease of conversion, low cost of Ethernet licensing, or strong compatibility with third party firmware / operating systems?

In short, where's the trap, how do I avoid it, and is there a golden ticket out there?



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