[openib-general] RE: IB Diagnositic Tools

[Fab Tillier]

> From: Eitan Zahavi [mailto:eitan at mellanox.co.il]
> Sent: Saturday, June 25, 2005 12:25 PM
> 
> Following the discussion about the debug tools, I would like to propose using
> OpenSM Vendor layer as a common layer for developing the debug tools. Since
> this layer is already available on both Windows and Linux stacks it could
> allow us to have the same code tree for both.

I think this is a decent idea.  My only reservations are that it would require
everyone to learn the OSM Vendor Layer API.  It might also not allow testing
nuances in the access layer APIs, which might be useful.

So I think it would be useful to have the test run over each low level MAD API,
as well as to the OSM Vendor Layer.  I'm a bit weary of adding extra layers
between the tests and the access layer - it just creates more areas where things
can go wrong.  That said, I'm not dead set on this and could be convinced
otherwise, but I just don't know enough about the OSM Vendor Layer at the moment
and don't have many cycles to learn it.

> Also I would like to propose developing an enhanced functionality for some of
> the tools.
>
> Especially adding the concept of reporting using "system names" rather then
> GUIDs and LIDs.

By system names, you mean node descriptions?

> The discovery tool would also be enhanced to perform some basic health checks
> for the fabric.

I think this would be valuable.

> As we (Mellanox) already have a "MADs" and "Topology" manipulations layers
> implemented we plan to open them in the OpenIB repository as well as develop
> the enhanced debug capability in OpenIB.
>
> If there is an interest in these tools we can provide an open version of those
> in week or two.

Sounds good, thanks!

- Fab