RoCEHardware

RoCEHardware refers to the class of hardware components that implement RDMA over Converged Ethernet (RoCE) technology in computer networks. It encompasses host channel adapters (HCAs) and network interface cards (NICs), PCIe add-in cards, embedded adapters, as well as Ethernet switches and fabric devices that support RoCE traffic. RoCEHardware enables RDMA transfers over Ethernet networks, allowing direct memory access between servers with minimal CPU intervention, lower latency, and higher throughput.

RoCEHardware relies on RoCE technology variants. RoCEv1 operates at the Ethernet layer and uses InfiniBand encapsulation, while RoCEv2 encapsulates RDMA over UDP/IP to enable routable, data-center networks. Both variants require a lossless or congestion-managed Ethernet fabric, typically achieved through priority-based flow control and related Ethernet features, as well as compatible device drivers and RDMA verb interfaces. They support kernel-bypass paths and remote direct memory access APIs for applications.

A typical RoCEHardware deployment includes RoCE-enabled host adapters in servers, RoCE-capable switches, and appropriate cabling or fiber. The hardware is supported by software stacks and drivers from hardware vendors and by RDMA libraries that expose RDMA verbs to applications. RoCEHardware is commonly used in high-performance computing clusters, data centers, and storage networks that demand low latency and high throughput for inter-server transfers, NVMe over fabrics, or distributed in-memory systems.

Limitations and considerations include the need for properly engineered lossless Ethernet, careful network design, and compatibility between NICs, switches, and software. Advantages of RoCEHardware include reduced CPU overhead and improved data transfer speeds in suitable environments.

See also: RDMA, RoCE, InfiniBand, iSER, iSCSI.