Creating a Point-to-Point Excel File

The Point-to-Point Excel file centralizes all the physical information of the project and explicitly describes how to connect each cable. For the list of supported cables, see LinkX Cables and Transceivers | NVIDIA.

To create the excel file:

1. Open an Excel file (Welcome to download and use this Template file: https://content.mellanox.com/PTP Template/ptp-example.xls )

2. Create 2 sheets as explained below:

• • Legend – describes basic properties for each element of the cluster. Each element should include the following properties: 

    • Name – describes the naming convention for each element, best practice is to include the element basic name and * before and after the name

    • Model – element model

      The “Model” is the “device format” as described inside the “/usr/share/ibdm2.1.1/ibnl”. If the model used is not part of the supported list, please create a new one as follow: 

      https://linux.die.net/man/1/ibdm-topo-file

      https://linux.die.net/man/1/ibdm-ibnl-file

      
      

    • Switch/HCA - whether it is a switch or HCA

    • Speed – element speed

    • Comments – general comments

      NDR Example:

      Name	Model	Switch/HCA	Speed	Comments
      *dgx*	HCA_12	hca	4x-100G	NDR
      *clf*	MQM9700	switch	4x-100G	NDR
      *csp*	MQM9700	switch	4x-100G	NDR

      XDR Example:

      Name	Model	Switch/HCA	Speed	Comments
      *dgx*	HCA_12	hca	4x-200G	XDR
      *clf*	Q3400-RA	switch	4x-200G	XDR
      *csp*	Q3400-RA	switch	4x-200G	XDR

      
      

  • PTP - explicitly describes how to connect each cable. The table has two main parts, Source and Destination, each one contains mostly the same columns. Each Line should include the following for each end of the cable:Rack - device rackU - device location in the rackName – name of the device (must comply with the naming convention as specified for the device type in the Label sheet)HCA/port - HCA name and port (in Destination part only port)SourceDestinationRackUNameHCA/portRackUNamePortSU1-1 A223cl02s01dgx011Leaves SU1 A3825cl02s01clf011SU1-1 A223cl02s01dgx012Leaves SU1 A3827cl02s01clf021SU1-1 A223cl02s01dgx013Leaves SU1 A3829cl02s01clf031SU1-1 A223cl02s01dgx014Leaves SU1 A3831cl02s01clf041SU1-1 A223cl02s01dgx015Leaves SU1 A3833cl02s01clf051SU1-1 A223cl02s01dgx016Leaves SU1 A3835cl02s01clf061SU1-1 A223cl02s01dgx017Leaves SU1 A3837cl02s01clf071SU1-1 A223cl02s01dgx018Leaves SU1 A3839cl02s01clf081

NOTES:

• destination device should always be a switch (HCAs should always be specified in source)

• for switches, use real/physical port numbers

• HCA ports can be named/enumerated as you wish, and you have to verify that there is a proper mapping from HCA port enumeration to real HCA interface name (will be referred in next step page)

Last updated: July 06, 2025