OCP 2019: Facebook rethinks data center fabric

At this week's OCP Summit in San Jose, Facebook released details on how they're rethinking the fabric of their data centers. FBOSS is still used to bind together its data center, but there are significant changes to ensure that a single code image and the same overall systems can support multiple generations of data center topologies and an increasing number of hardware platforms. Facebook's next-generation "F16" data center fabric design offers...

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OCP 2019: Microsoft's Project Zipline offers better data compression

At OCP 2019, Microsoft unveiled Project Zipline, a new compression standard for data sets covering Edge to Cloud app. Project Zipline promises "compression without compromises where always-on procession achieves high compression ratios with high throughput and low latency. Zipline encompasses algorithms, software, and silicon engines. Microsoft estimates Zipline data set sizes at 4 ~ 8% of uncompressed sizes. Over time, Microsoft anticipates Project...

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OCP 2019: Arista's 12.8Tbps switch developed with Facebook

At OCP 2019, Arista Networks announced a high-radix 12.8Tbps switching system developed with Facebook with the goal of simplifying 100/400G networking. The Arista 7360X Series doubles system density while reducing power consumption and cost by doubling the network diameter and reducing the number of required leaf-spine tiers. Full manageability via FBOSS (Facebook Open Switching Software) is supported for controlling power and thermal efficiency...

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OCP 2019: Facebook plans own fiber linking data centers in Ohio, VA, NC

As previously disclosed, Facebook built its own 200-mile underground fiber cable between its data centers in New Mexico and Texas. The cable is described as "one of the highest-capacity systems in the United States, with state-of-the-art optical fiber." Facebook now plans new fiber builds between its data centers in Ohio, Virginia, and North Carolina. This blog posting by Facebook's Kevin Salvadori discusses the company's fiber deployments. https://code.fb.com/connectivity/fiber-optic-cable/ Facebook...

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OCP 2019: New Open Domain-Specific Architecture sub-project

The Open Compute Project is launching an Open Domain-Specific Architecture (ODSA) sub-project to define an open interface and architecture that enables the mixing and matching of available silicon die from different suppliers onto a single SoC for data center applications. The goal is to define a process to integrate best-of-breed chiplets onto a SoC. Netronome played a lead role initiating the new project. “The open architecture for domain-specific...

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OCP 2019: CBTS brings Carrier Open Infrastructure based on OpenCORD

CBTS (formerly Cincinnati Bell Technology Solutions) announced its Carrier Open Infrastructure (COI) reference architecture based on frameworks from the Open Networking Foundation (ONF), open source hardware from the Open Compute Project (OCP) and Open Source VNFs. CBTS said its goal is to help carriers leverage open source virtual networking functions (VNFs) and common, off-the-shelf (COTS) hardware to grow revenue as broadband speeds increase...

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OCP 2019: Juniper integrates with SONiC

Juniper Networks will offer native integration of its platforms with Software for Open Networking in the Cloud (SONiC), which was developed and contributed to the Open Compute Project (OCP) Foundation by Microsoft. SONiC is an extensible network switch operations and management platform with a large and growing ecosystem of hardware and software partners. Juniper said native integration with SONiC underscores its commitment to open programmability,...

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OCP 2019: Big Switch demos SONiC + Open Network Linux

At OCP 2019, Big Switch Networks demonstrated an open-source network operating system (NOS) through an integration with Microsoft-led Software for Open Networking in the Cloud (SONiC) and Big Switch-led Open Network Linux (ONL). The demonstration highlights automation, zero-touch provisioning and visibility leveraging a DevOps-centric Ansible workflow and SDN-centric controller workflows. The SONiC + ONL NOS is comprised of the following open-source...

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OCP 2019: Apstra shows data center automation with SONiC

At OCP 2019 in San Jose, Apstra demonstrated its Intent-Based Data Center Automation with support for SONiC (Software for Open Networking in the Cloud) as part of a multi-vendor solution. Apstra Intent-Based Data Center Automation enables vendor-agnostic data center lifecycle management. “Apstra is a strong advocate of network disaggregation. Our mission is to deliver massively automated turnkey infrastructure operations that are hardware independent,...

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OCP 2019: Broadcom intros OCP NIC 3.0 adapters

Broadcom introduced OCP NIC 3.0 adapters supporting the full range of data rates and interfaces from 1GbE to 200GbE. The portfolio includes a wide selection of Ethernet adapter cards with 1-, 2- and 4-port configurations. The new 100GbE and 200GbE adapters, which are based on Broadcom's NetXtreme E-Series Ethernet controllers, also feature Broadcom’s Thor multi-host controller that has the industry’s best performing 56G PAM-4 SerDes and PCIe 4.0...

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Determined AI emerges from stealth with focus on deep learning software

Determined AI, a start-up based in San Francisco, emerged from stealth to unveil its plans to offer specialized software that addresses the challenges faced by deep learning. Determined AI has raised $11 million in series A funding led by GV (formerly Google Ventures), Amplify Partners, CRV, Haystack, SV Angel, The House, and Specialized Types. The company says its software will feature a DL-aware scheduling system that allows for cluster sharing,...

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