The NVIDIA DOCA software platform unlocks the potential of the NVIDIA BlueField networking platform and provides all needed host drivers for NVIDIA BlueField and ConnectX devices. Optimized for peak performance, DOCA equips users to meet the demands of increasingly complex workloads. Its modular structure offers the flexibility needed to adapt to emerging technologies and higher data throughputs.
With a recent networking software release, NVIDIA transitioned from the MLNX_OFED suite of drivers and tools for InfiniBand and Ethernet solutions, to DOCA-OFED, marking the end of standalone MLNX_OFED releases. This shift reflects the move toward a more unified, scalable, and programmable networking stack integrated within the NVIDIA DOCA framework. The final version of MLNX_EN, a lightweight subset of MLNX_OFED, will also be released, with future features accessible only through DOCA.
DOCA-OFED will provide the same robust driver functionality as MLNX_OFED, supported by the open-source community, with enhanced programmability through DOCA.
Customers and partners are strongly encouraged to transition to DOCA to benefit from a modern, feature-rich networking stack built for the future of accelerated computing and AI workloads. DOCA is the exclusive software platform for new features and updates going forward, ensuring access to the latest networking advancements. By transitioning to DOCA, you can future-proof your infrastructure by accessing NVIDIA’s latest innovations in accelerated networking through a continually evolving software stack.
This post introduces DOCA-OFED and explains how it replaces MLNX_OFED, and why you should make the switch today.
Introducing DOCA-OFED
NVIDIA has introduced DOCA-OFED as part of the DOCA-Host package. DOCA-Host is a unified software package for host servers, incorporating all the essential components of DOCA and MLNX_OFED. DOCA-Host has four installation profiles, which are designed to work seamlessly with the latest NVIDIA hardware innovations, including BlueField Data Processing Units (DPUs) and SuperNICs, and ConnectX Network Interface Cards (NICs).
The DOCA-OFED package is the new replacement for MNLX_OFED, including the same components, drivers, and tools.
Key features of DOCA-OFED
- Unified software package: DOCA-OFED is part of the DOCA-Host package, which simplifies the installation and configuration process. This unified approach means you have a “one-stop shop” to manage your entire network stack on all your host servers, reducing complexity and potential errors.
- Broad compatibility: Whether you are using BlueField DPUs or SuperNICs, ConnectX, or both, DOCA-OFED is compatible with all these devices. This broad compatibility provides flexibility in deployment and ensures you can leverage the latest hardware innovations from NVIDIA.
- Comprehensive toolset: DOCA-OFED includes all the drivers, user-space libraries, and utilities that you are familiar with from MLNX_OFED, ensuring you have everything you need to manage your network effectively.
- Standard Linux installation: DOCA-Host is available as a public repo, supporting installation and management with standard Linux package managers.
Why transition to DOCA-OFED?
Transitioning to DOCA-OFED is not just an upgrade. It’s a step toward ensuring that your network infrastructure is ready to handle upcoming demands and can leverage future hardware and software advancements from NVIDIA.
Here’s why you should consider making the switch:
- Simplified management: Managing your network stack becomes more straightforward with DOCA-OFED as part of the DOCA-Host package. This unified approach means a single package on all of your hosts that is easier to install and configure, reducing the potential for errors and simplifying ongoing management tasks.
- Future-ready: DOCA-OFED is designed with future-proofing in mind. By adopting this new solution, you ensure your network infrastructure is ready to handle upcoming demands and can leverage future hardware and software advancements from NVIDIA.
- Ongoing innovation: MLNX_OFED will no longer be available as a stand-alone product starting in 2025 and will be supported only with long-term support, with all new devices from NVIDIA being supported only with DOCA-OFED. All new features will only be included in DOCA-OFED.
Get started with DOCA-OFED
Making the switch to DOCA-OFED is straightforward. Follow these steps to get started:
- Access DOCA-Host online or download the DOCA-Host package: The DOCA-Host download package includes everything you need to get started with DOCA-OFED.
- Uninstall MLNX_OFED: Remove any previous installation of MLNX_OFED.
- Install DOCA-OFED: Follow the installation instructions included in the DOCA-Host package. The installation process is streamlined and designed to be user-friendly, ensuring you can get up and running quickly. Whether you have BlueField DPUs, BlueField SuperNICs, ConnectX, or a combination of the three, the installation process is designed to accommodate all configurations.
- Test and validate: Once you have completed the installation and configuration, it is essential to test and validate your new setup. This step ensures everything is working correctly and that you are achieving the expected performance improvements.
- Develop your applications: DOCA-OFED fully supports the applications and pipelines you have already developed based on MLNX_OFED. With DOCA-OFED you can best utilize your DPU and NIC devices and get the best out of your network.
Conclusion
DOCA enables the most optimized AI fabric for AI clouds and factories, network management, and optimization. By transitioning from MLNX_OFED to DOCA-OFED, you are not only upgrading your network stack, but also ensuring your network infrastructure is ready to handle upcoming demands and can leverage future hardware and software advancements from NVIDIA. With simplified, unified management and a comprehensive toolset, DOCA-OFED is the ideal choice for modern data centers and AI fabrics. DOCA-OFED is the one software stack to manage your NVIDIA networking devices.
Embrace the future of data center networking with DOCA-OFED. Download the DOCA-Host package to start the transition and experience the next level of high-performance networking.
