Ok But What About Literally Every Other MxGPU-capable GPU
ok but what about literally every other MxGPU-capable GPU
A Step Forward, but Not Far Enough
thankyou, really, thankyou so much - this is a great step forward and it's really, really encouraging to see AMD finally putting some actual amount of effort into (publicly-available) software support for more advanced stuff like this. However, the recent release of the GIM driver for Mi300X and Mi325X only scratches the surface of the MxGPU-capable GPUs available in the market.
The Unanswered Question: Why the Rest of the Driver?
The GIM driver for Mi300X and Mi325X is a significant step forward, but it leaves many other MxGPU-capable GPUs in the dark. The Radeon Pro V520, Radeon Pro V540, Radeon Pro V620, and Radeon Pro V710 are all currently deployed and available through one of a few different cloud providers using MxGPU SR-IOV, with full support, and are also available to buy on the open market. Yet, the GIM driver for these cards has been stripped out of this repo.
The Reason Behind the Decision
I understand not wanting to offer commercial support for those GPUs, but that seems like a pretty poor excuse. The code already exists, it's MIT licensed, and it'd be far from the first time an AMD kernel driver was compatible with an unsupported GPU (e.g. BC-250). AMD's certainly no stranger to closing issues about unsupported configurations with a WONTFIX
. This decision raises questions about the company's commitment to supporting its existing customer base.
The Demand for Functional GPU Virtualization
There's quite significant demand for functional GPU virtualization in the enterprise/homelab space too, as I'm sure you're aware; even publishing drivers for a limited number of cards would get you quite a bit of public goodwill and positive press, and developers working on unsupported configurations often find/fix bugs in supported ones. By releasing the rest of the driver, AMD can tap into this demand and establish itself as a leader in the field of GPU virtualization.
The Benefits of Releasing the Rest of the Driver
Releasing the rest of the driver would have several benefits for AMD. Firstly, it would demonstrate the company's commitment to supporting its existing customer base. Secondly, it would provide a significant boost to AMD's reputation in the industry. Thirdly, it would allow developers to work on unsupported configurations, which would lead to the discovery of new bugs and the improvement of the overall quality of the driver.
The Future of GPU Virtualization
The future of GPU virtualization is bright, and AMD has the opportunity to play a significant role in shaping it. By releasing the rest of the driver, AMD can establish itself as a leader in the field and tap into the significant demand for functional GPU virtualization in the enterprise/homelab space. The company's decision will have a lasting impact on the industry, and it's essential that they make the right choice.
The Call to Action
So... any plan to release the rest of the driver? Please? The community is eagerly waiting for a response, and the future of GPU virtualization hangs in the balance. By releasing the rest of the driver, AMD can take a significant step forward and establish itself as a leader in the field. The time to act is now.
The List of MxGPU-Capable GPUs
Here is a list of MxGPU-capable GPUs that are currently available in the market:
- Radeon Pro V520
- Radeon Pro V540 (two V520s in a trenchcoat)
- Radeon Pro V620
- Radeon Pro V710
- Mi300X
- Mi325X
The Conclusion
The recent release of the GIM driver for Mi300X and Mi325X is a significant step forward, but it leaves many other MxGPU-capable GPUs in the dark. The decision to strip out the GIM driver for other cards raises questions about AMD's commitment to supporting its existing customer base. By releasing the rest of the driver, AMD can tap into the significant demand for functional GPU virtualization in the enterprise/homelab space and establish itself as a leader in the field. The time to act is now.
The Call to Action (Again)
So... any plan to release the rest of the driver? Please? The community is eagerly waiting for a response, and the future of GPU virtualization hangs in the balance. By releasing the rest of the driver, AMD can take a significant step forward and establish itself as a leader in the field. The time to act is now.
The Final Thoughts
The future of GPU virtualization is bright, and AMD has the opportunity to play a significant role in shaping it. By releasing the rest of the driver, AMD can establish itself as a leader in the field and tap into the significant demand for functional GPU virtualization in the enterprise/homelab space. The company's decision will have a lasting impact on the industry, and it's essential that they make the right choice.
ok but what about literally every other MxGPU-capable GPU
Q&A: The Future of GPU Virtualization
In our previous article, we discussed the recent release of the GIM driver for Mi300X and Mi325X and the decision to strip out the GIM driver for other MxGPU-capable GPUs. We also highlighted the significant demand for functional GPU virtualization in the enterprise/homelab space and the benefits of releasing the rest of the driver. In this article, we'll answer some of the most frequently asked questions about the future of GPU virtualization and AMD's role in it.
Q: What is MxGPU and why is it important?
A: MxGPU is a technology developed by AMD that allows multiple virtual machines to share a single physical GPU. This technology is essential for cloud computing, virtualization, and other applications where multiple users need to access a shared GPU resource.
Q: What are the benefits of MxGPU?
A: The benefits of MxGPU include improved performance, increased flexibility, and reduced costs. With MxGPU, users can access a shared GPU resource without the need for multiple physical GPUs, which can be expensive and power-hungry.
Q: What is the current state of MxGPU support?
A: Currently, the GIM driver for Mi300X and Mi325X is available, but the GIM driver for other MxGPU-capable GPUs has been stripped out of the repo. This means that users with these GPUs cannot access the benefits of MxGPU.
Q: Why did AMD decide to strip out the GIM driver for other GPUs?
A: AMD has not provided a clear explanation for this decision, but it's likely due to a combination of factors, including commercial support and resource constraints.
Q: What are the benefits of releasing the rest of the driver?
A: Releasing the rest of the driver would provide several benefits, including:
- Demonstrating AMD's commitment to supporting its existing customer base
- Providing a significant boost to AMD's reputation in the industry
- Allowing developers to work on unsupported configurations, which would lead to the discovery of new bugs and the improvement of the overall quality of the driver
Q: What is the demand for functional GPU virtualization in the enterprise/homelab space?
A: The demand for functional GPU virtualization in the enterprise/homelab space is significant, with many organizations relying on this technology for cloud computing, virtualization, and other applications.
Q: What are the implications of AMD's decision on the future of GPU virtualization?
A: AMD's decision to strip out the GIM driver for other GPUs has significant implications for the future of GPU virtualization. If AMD does not release the rest of the driver, it may lose market share to competitors who are able to provide more comprehensive support for MxGPU.
Q: What can users do to advocate for the release of the rest of the driver?
A: Users can advocate for the release of the rest of the driver by:
- Contacting AMD directly and expressing their support for the release of the driver
- Participating in online forums and discussions to raise awareness about the issue
- Providing feedback and suggestions to AMD on how to improve the driver
Q: What is the timeline for the release of the rest of the driver?
A: Unfortunately, AMD has not provided a clear timeline for the release of the rest of the driver. However, users can continue to advocate for the release of the driver and provide feedback to AMD on how to improve the driver.
Q: What are the next steps for AMD in terms of MxGPU support?
A: AMD's next steps in terms of MxGPU support are unclear, but it's likely that the company will continue to develop and improve the driver. Users can continue to advocate for the release of the rest of the driver and provide feedback to AMD on how to improve the driver.
Q: What are the implications of AMD's decision on the future of the company?
A: AMD's decision to strip out the GIM driver for other GPUs has significant implications for the future of the company. If AMD does not release the rest of the driver, it may lose market share to competitors who are able to provide more comprehensive support for MxGPU. This could have long-term consequences for the company's reputation and financial performance.