Abstract Block storage access across Storage Area Networks (SANs) have an interesting protocol and transport history. The NVMe-oF transport family provides storage administrators with the most efficient and streamlined protocols so far leading to more efficient data transfers and better SAN deployments. In this session we will explore some of the protocol history to set the context for a deep dive into NVMe/TCP, NVMe/RoCE, and NVMe/FC. We will then examine network configurations, network topology, QoS settings, and offload processing considerations.

A new class of cloud and datacenter infrastructure is emerging into the marketplace. This new infrastructure element, often referred as Data Processing Unit (DPU) or Infrastructure Processing Unit (IPU), takes the form of a server hosted PCIe add-in card or on-board chip(s), containing one or more ASIC’s or FPGA's, usually anchored around a single powerful SoC device. The DPU/IPU-like devices have their roots in the evolution of SmartNIC devices but separate themselves from that legacy in several important ways.

The Open Programmable Infrastructure (or OPI) is an open-source effort within the Linux Foundation to develop a standard API for utilizing SmartNICs, DPUs and IPUs, and other coprocessors or processing elements. It will allow users to provision and orchestrate all devices in the same way, thus allowing them to handle many different devices, implement new devices, and change or replace devices without learning a new command structure. It will also allow manufacturers to create a standard API, deliver new or upgraded devices faster, and benefit from a large ecosystem.