NVIDIA NCA-AIIO Exam - Topic 3 Question 14 Discussion

Actual exam question for NVIDIA's NCA-AIIO exam

Question #: 14
Topic #: 3

When using an InfiniBand network for an AI infrastructure, which software component is necessary for the fabric to function?

AVerbs

BMPI

COpenSM

Show Suggested Answer

Suggested Answer: C

OpenSM (Open Subnet Manager) is essential for InfiniBand networks, managing the fabric by discovering topology, configuring switches and host channel adapters (HCAs), and handling routing. Without it, the fabric cannot operate. Verbs is an API for RDMA, and MPI is a communication protocol, but OpenSM is the critical software component for functionality.

(Reference: NVIDIA Networking Documentation, Section on InfiniBand Subnet Management)

by Buddy at Jan 05, 2026, 05:16 AM

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Gail

1 day ago

I thought MPI was the key component?

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Jean

7 days ago

OpenSM is essential for InfiniBand.

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Felicia

12 days ago

Verbs? OpenSM? I thought we were talking about InfiniBand, not some secret society handshake.

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Stephania

17 days ago

Verbs, OpenSM, what is this, a Star Wars convention? I'll just use Ethernet, it's more my speed.

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Whitley

1 month ago

B) MPI? Really? That's for message passing, not fabric management. Clearly C) OpenSM is the right choice.

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Roy

1 month ago

C) OpenSM is the way to go. Can't have an InfiniBand network without the Open Subnet Manager!

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Kenda

2 months ago

A) Verbs is the correct answer. The InfiniBand fabric requires the Verbs software component to function.

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Gladis

2 months ago

I'm a bit confused; I thought MPI was important for communication, but does that mean it's necessary for the fabric itself?

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Edelmira

2 months ago

I practiced a similar question about InfiniBand components, and I think OpenSM was mentioned as a key player in fabric management.

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Henriette

2 months ago

I feel like we covered Verbs and MPI in class, but I can't recall if they are essential for the fabric to actually function.

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Miriam

2 months ago

I think I remember that OpenSM is crucial for managing the InfiniBand fabric, but I'm not entirely sure if it's the only necessary component.

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Lorean

2 months ago

I'm a bit stumped on this one. I know InfiniBand is used for high-speed networking, but I'm not sure about the specific software components required. I'll have to review my notes and try to eliminate the incorrect options.

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Veronique

3 months ago

I'm confident the answer is C) OpenSM. That's the software component responsible for managing the InfiniBand network and ensuring the fabric functions properly.

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Ceola

3 months ago

Okay, let me see. I remember learning that Verbs are the basic operations in the InfiniBand architecture, and MPI is a message passing interface. But I'm pretty sure the correct answer is C) OpenSM, which is the subnet manager that controls the InfiniBand fabric.

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Dalene

3 months ago

Hmm, I'm not too sure about this one. I know InfiniBand is used for high-performance computing, but I'm not familiar with the specific software components. I'll have to think this through carefully.

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Levi

3 months ago

I think the answer is C) OpenSM. That's the software component that manages the InfiniBand fabric, right?

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