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RDMA over Ethernet carries remote direct memory access (RDMA) traffic across Ethernet, most commonly using RDMA over Converged Ethernet (RoCE). RoCEv1 stays within a Layer 2 Ethernet domain; RoCEv2 encapsulates RDMA in UDP over IP, allowing it to cross Layer 3 routers when the network is configured to support it.
What RDMA over Ethernet means
RDMA, or Remote Direct Memory Access, lets systems transfer data directly between application memory on different machines, with hardware supporting transport processing and memory placement. This can reduce CPU-mediated work during data movement; it does not mean CPUs are never involved in setting up or running a workload.
RoCE stands for RDMA over Converged Ethernet. It is a way to use RDMA over an Ethernet network, not another name for every form of RDMA. The InfiniBand Trade Association describes RoCE as RDMA used by enterprise Ethernet networks (IBTA FAQ).
How RoCEv1 and RoCEv2 differ
| Variant | Encapsulation | Network reach | Practical distinction |
|---|---|---|---|
| RoCEv1 | Ethernet-layer encapsulation; NVIDIA documents EtherType 0x8915. | Local Layer 2 domain | Its reach is limited to the Layer 2 Ethernet domain. |
| RoCEv2 | RDMA carried in UDP over IP over Ethernet | Can cross IP Layer 3 routers | IP routing can extend reach, but does not guarantee that a path is compatible, correctly configured, congestion-managed, or performant. |
The InfiniBand Trade Association announced RoCEv2 in 2014 as an extension of the original RoCE specification (IBTA RoCEv2 announcement). NVIDIA also documents the encapsulation distinction and RoCEv1’s EtherType (NVIDIA RoCE documentation).
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What a working RoCE setup requires
RoCE requires compatible RDMA-capable network adapters as well as network support appropriate to the chosen version. Do not assume an ordinary Ethernet adapter supports it. NVIDIA documents ConnectX Ethernet adapters with RoCE hardware offload as one example; check the specific adapter’s supported RoCE version, operating system, driver, and network configuration before planning a deployment (NVIDIA RoCE documentation).
What “routable” does—and does not—mean
RoCEv2’s IP encapsulation allows it to traverse Layer 3 routers. That is a protocol capability, not a promise that any routed Ethernet path will carry RoCE successfully or deliver a particular level of performance. Adapter and driver compatibility, network configuration, and behavior under the intended workload still matter. NVIDIA’s topology guidance discusses RoCE network design considerations (NVIDIA RoCE topology documentation).
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When comparing RoCE options
For a real deployment, first establish whether the design needs only a Layer 2 domain or must cross routed Layer 3 networks. Then verify adapter and driver support and the network’s configuration. Finally, measure performance with the intended workload and topology: the protocol distinction alone does not establish a universal performance winner.
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