Technical requirements
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To implement the BeeGFS on NetApp solution, ensure your environment meets the technology requirements outlined in this document.
Requirements overview
This page details the hardware, software, and firmware requirements for implementing BeeGFS on NetApp building blocks. Requirements are organized into the following sections:
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Hardware requirements - File nodes (hardware/software/firmware), block nodes (hardware/firmware), networking, and cabling
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Software deployment requirements - Ansible-deployed components
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Ansible control node requirements - Control node software versions
Hardware requirements
Before you begin, ensure that your hardware meets the following specifications for a single building block design of the BeeGFS on NetApp solution. The exact components for a particular deployment may vary based on customer requirements. Each file node should meet or exceed these specifications to achieve expected performance.
File node requirements
| Quantity | Specifications |
|---|---|
2 |
Lenovo ThinkSystem SR665 V3 Hardware:
Software and Firmware:
|
|
File nodes require a valid Red Hat Enterprise Linux Server subscription and the Red Hat Enterprise Linux High Availability Add-On. |
Block node requirements
Each building block requires two E-Series arrays of the same model. Do not mix array models within the same building block.
| Quantity | Model | Specifications |
|---|---|---|
2 |
EF600 |
Hardware:
Firmware:
|
Storage network switch requirements
| Quantity | Specifications |
|---|---|
1 |
NVIDIA QM9700 Quantum 2 NDR InfiniBand Switch The storage network switch must be capable of 200Gb/s InfiniBand speeds. The NVIDIA QM9700 is the recommended switch for the cluster. |
|
Alternative switches such as the NVIDIA MQM8700 Quantum may be used but require different cabling. |
Cabling requirements
Block node to file node cables
Direct connections from block nodes to file nodes require the following cables:
| Quantity | Cable Specification | Length |
|---|---|---|
8 |
MCP1650-H001E30 - NVIDIA Passive Copper cable, QSFP56, 200Gb/s |
1m |
File node to storage switch cables
The following cable types are recommended for the NVIDIA QM9700 Quantum 2 switch. Choose either active fiber or passive copper based on your requirements. Quantities are per building block.
| Switch model | Cable Type | Quantity | Part Number |
|---|---|---|---|
NVIDIA QM9700 |
Active Fiber (including transceivers) |
2 |
MMA4Z00-NS (multimode, IB/ETH, 800Gb/s 2x400Gb/s Twin-port OSFP) |
4 |
MFP7E20-Nxxx (multimode, 4-channel-to-two 2-channel splitter fiber cable) |
||
8 |
MMA1Z00-NS400 (multimode, IB/ETH, 400Gb/s Single-port QSFP-112) |
||
Passive Copper |
2 |
MCP7Y40-N002 (NVIDIA passive copper splitter cable, InfiniBand 800Gb/s to 4x 200Gb/s, OSFP to 4x QSFP112) |
Software deployment requirements
The following table lists the software requirements deployed automatically as part of the Ansible-based BeeGFS deployment.
| Software | Version |
|---|---|
BeeGFS |
8.2.2 |
Corosync |
3.1.8-1 |
Pacemaker |
2.1.7-5.2 |
Fence Agents (redfish/apc) |
4.10.0-62 |
InfiniBand / RDMA Drivers |
DOCA-OFED-25.04-0.6.1 |
Ansible control node requirements
The BeeGFS on NetApp solution is deployed and managed from an Ansible control node. For more information, see the Ansible documentation.
The software requirements listed in the following tables are specific to the version of the NetApp BeeGFS Ansible collection listed below.
| Software | Version |
|---|---|
Ansible-core |
>= 2.19.0 |
Python |
3.12 |
Additional Python packages |
Cryptography-46.0.3, netaddr-1.3.0, ipaddr-2.2.0 |
NetApp E-Series BeeGFS Ansible Collection |
4.0.0 |