Wednesday, May 22, 2024

#CampusNaaS: Redefining Network-as-a-Service

How far is the 'as a service' model permeating the networking industry? Anil Varanasi, Co-founder and CEO from Meter, discusses:

- The shift towards 'as a service' models in the networking industry. He discusses how companies are increasingly adopting this model as it looks better on their balance sheets and appeals to investors.

- The need for an end-to-end service, from designing the hardware to maintaining it, and providing routing, switching, wireless applications, and security. 

- A surge in companies claiming to offer 'as a service' models. He warns of potential fallout from products that are not fully integrated.

https://youtu.be/8xbw_ol1h4Y

Check out our full set of Campus and Enterprise #NaaS (Network-as-a-Service) videos here: https://ngi.fyi/naas24yt (plus download free Campus NaaS Report).

Want to be involved our video series? Contact info@nextgeninfra.io

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#CampusNaaS: Early Innings for Campus NaaS

What is Network as a Service (NaaS) and how is it succeeding in the market? 

Mauricio Sanchez, Sr. Director, Enterprise Security & Networking Research from Dell'Oro Group covers the following in his video:

- The current definition of NaaS and its role in changing how network services are delivered, including the shift towards a cloud-based experience for provisioning and setting up network services.

- The intersection of NaaS with Secure Access Service Edge (SASE) and security, highlighting the emergence of vendors that provide both user edge secure access layer and middle services.

- The potential growth of NaaS in the future, with a focus on its benefits such as scalability, cost-efficiency, and enhanced connectivity for businesses across various sectors.


https://youtu.be/LK2tgYidXbA

Want to be involved our video series? Contact info@nextgeninfra.io

Check out our full set of Campus and Enterprise #NaaS (Network-as-a-Service) videos here: https://ngi.fyi/naas24yt (plus download free Campus NaaS Report).


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#CampusNaaS: Is NaaS at a Tipping Point?

Check out our full set of Campus and Enterprise #NaaS (Network-as-a-Service) videos here: https://ngi.fyi/naas24yt (plus download free Campus NaaS Report).

Is Network-as-a-Service reaching the tipping point when the market shifts from early adopters to mainstream businesses? 

Pankaj Patel, CEO and co-Founder from Nile, share his views on:

- The gradual but impactful transition of major markets towards NaaS, drawing parallels with the evolution of the electric vehicle market and the cloud transition.

- The rapid evolution of NaaS and its impact on industries, emphasizing the shift towards simpler, secure, and high-performance connectivity.

- The benefits of NaaS for businesses, including scalability, cost efficiency, enhanced connectivity, and advanced AI and security features.


https://youtu.be/taGeU26WFSo

Want to be involved our video series? Contact info@nextgeninfra.io

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AWS to invest EUR 15.7 billion in Spain

Amazon Web Services (AWS) has announced a significant investment plan of €15.7 billion in Spain, aimed at bolstering its AWS Europe (Spain) region. This investment is projected to support the equivalent of 17,500 full-time jobs annually in local businesses and contribute €21.6 billion to Spain's GDP by 2033. The initiative highlights Spain's strategic importance as a digital hub in Southern Europe, leveraging the country's excellent connectivity and favorable climatic and energy conditions. The investment also aligns with Spain's recently approved AI strategy.

Spanish Minister for Digital Transformation and Public Function, José Luis Escrivá, emphasized the strategic significance of AWS's investment, noting that it solidifies Spain's position as a leader in technological innovation and artificial intelligence in Europe. The investment will particularly benefit the region of Aragón, where 40% of the estimated national jobs (around 6,800) will be located. These jobs will span various sectors, including construction, facility maintenance, engineering, and telecommunications. Moreover, over half of the projected contribution to Spain's GDP will be concentrated in Aragón.

AWS's commitment to Aragón includes establishing a sustainable and technologically advanced infrastructure. Suzana Curic, AWS General Manager for Iberia, reiterated the company's dedication to supporting Spain through continued collaboration with local schools and community initiatives. AWS aims to maintain 100% renewable energy usage in its Aragón data centers and explore innovative, efficient, and sustainable operational practices. The investment also marks a sixfold increase from AWS's initial €2.5 billion plan announced in 2021.

Key Points:

  • Investment Amount: AWS will invest €15.7 billion in Spain.
  • Economic Impact: Expected to contribute €21.6 billion to Spain's GDP by 2033.
  • Job Creation: Supporting 17,500 full-time jobs annually, with 40% of these in Aragón.
  • Sustainability: AWS data centers in Aragón are 100% renewable energy-powered.
  • Local Support: Continued collaboration with local schools and community initiatives.
  • Expansion: Investment plan is six times the original plan from 2021.
  • Aragón's Role: Significant focus on Aragón, with substantial economic and job benefits.
  • Innovation Leadership: Reinforces Spain's position as a technological and AI hub in Europe.

https://www.aboutamazon.es/noticias/aws/nueva-inversion-de-15700-millones-de-aws-en-espana



Sparkle Lands BlueMed Submarine Cable in Greece

Sparkle, Italy’s first international service provider and a leading global operator, has successfully landed the BlueMed submarine cable in Chania, Greece. The announcement was made at a press conference held at the Italian Ambassador’s Residence in Athens, attended by key figures including Paolo Cuculi, the Italian Ambassador, and Dimitris Papastergiou, Greece’s Minister of Digital Governance. The event highlighted the strategic significance of the cable, which aims to enhance digital connectivity between Italy, France, Greece, and other Mediterranean countries.

The BlueMed cable is part of the broader Blue & Raman Submarine Cable Systems, a project developed in collaboration with Google and other operators. This system extends connectivity from Italy through the Mediterranean and further into the Middle East, reaching Mumbai, India. Equipped with four fiber pairs and an initial design capacity exceeding 25 Terabits per second (Tbps) per pair, BlueMed is set to provide high-speed internet connections and advanced solutions for ISPs, carriers, telecom operators, and content providers, catering to the rising digital demands in these regions.

The installation of BlueMed began in 2023 with the primary Tyrrhenian trunk linking Genoa and Palermo, with additional branches to Marseille, Bastia, Golfo Aranci, and Pomezia. From Palermo, the cable has traversed the Strait of Messina to Crete, with plans for further expansion in the Mediterranean towards Aqaba in Jordan. Currently, the Tyrrhenian and Middle Eastern segments are operational, with the entire route from Genoa to Aqaba expected to be fully functional by the end of this year. Sparkle is also enhancing its data center in Chania to support this infrastructure and future projects like GreenMed, aiming to improve connectivity between Central Europe, the Balkans, and the Eastern Mediterranean.

Key Points:

  • Sparkle landed the BlueMed submarine cable in Chania, Greece.
  • BlueMed connects Italy with France, Greece, and other Mediterranean countries, extending to the Middle East and India.
  • The cable has four fiber pairs with over 25 Tbps capacity per pair.
  • The project is a part of the Blue & Raman Submarine Cable Systems, in partnership with Google.
  • Future expansions include further Mediterranean landings and the GreenMed project connecting Italy to the Balkans and Eastern Mediterranean.


NVIDIA hits revenue of $26 billion, up 262% yoy

NVIDIA reported quarterly revenue of $26.0 billion, up 18% from Q4 and up 262% from a year ago. 

GAAP earnings per diluted share was $5.98, up 21% from the previous quarter and up 629% from a year ago. Non-GAAP earnings per diluted share was $6.12, up 19% from the previous quarter and up 461% from a year ago.

“The next industrial revolution has begun — companies and countries are partnering with NVIDIA to shift the trillion-dollar traditional data centers to accelerated computing and build a new type of data center — AI factories — to produce a new commodity: artificial intelligence,” said Jensen Huang, founder and CEO of NVIDIA. “AI will bring significant productivity gains to nearly every industry and help companies be more cost- and energy-efficient, while expanding revenue opportunities.

“Our data center growth was fueled by strong and accelerating demand for generative AI training and inference on the Hopper platform. Beyond cloud service providers, generative AI has expanded to consumer internet companies, and enterprise, sovereign AI, automotive and healthcare customers, creating multiple multibillion-dollar vertical markets.

“We are poised for our next wave of growth. The Blackwell platform is in full production and forms the foundation for trillion-parameter-scale generative AI. Spectrum-X opens a brand-new market for us to bring large-scale AI to Ethernet-only data centers. And NVIDIA NIM is our new software offering that delivers enterprise-grade, optimized generative AI to run on CUDA everywhere — from the cloud to on-prem data centers and RTX AI PCs — through our expansive network of ecosystem partners.”

NVIDIA also announced a ten-for-one forward stock split.


Synopsis posts sales of $1.455 billion, up approximately 15%

Synopsis reported revenue of $1.455 billion for its second quarter of fiscal year 2024, up approximately 15% year over year and at the high-end of guidance.

Quarterly GAAP earnings per diluted share were $1.92; non-GAAP earnings per diluted share were $3.00, up approximately 26% year over year and exceeding guidance.

Raising full year targets for revenue and non-GAAP EPS, based on strong execution and continued business momentum.

"We continued our strong operational execution and business momentum in Q2. Customers continue investing in Synopsys solutions to maximize their R&D and power their future innovations for this era of pervasive intelligence," said Sassine Ghazi, president and CEO of Synopsys. "We expect our planned acquisition of Ansys, which was approved today by Ansys shareholders, to further our mission of empowering technology innovators everywhere with essential silicon to systems design solutions."


https://s201.q4cdn.com/778493406/files/doc_earnings/2024/q2/presentation/InvestorOverviewPresentationFinal.pdf

Nokia completes acquisition of Fenix for defense expertise

Nokia completed its previously-announced acquisition of Fenix Group, a privately held company specializing in tactical communications solutions for defense communities. This acquisition, first announced in December 2023, enhances Nokia's capabilities in the defense sector by integrating Fenix's advanced broadband tactical communications products into its portfolio. Notable additions include the Banshee family and Talon MANET radios, which will enable Nokia to provide a more comprehensive suite of 3GPP-based solutions to its defense customers globally, facilitating the digital transformation of military communications.

Nokia said the completion of the acquisition, following the necessary review and approval by the Committee on Foreign Investment in the United States (CFIUS), signifies a crucial milestone in its U.S. strategy. This move reaffirms Nokia's commitment to delivering secure and innovative solutions to the U.S. Federal government. With Fenix's established support for Defense Department programs, Nokia is now strategically positioned to expand its role as a key technology provider for mission-critical defense needs.

Nokia and Fenix had previously collaborated under a Defense Innovation Unit (DIU) program initiated in October 2021 to provide tactical private wireless communications solutions. The acquisition supports the objective of enhancing dual-use technology capabilities for defense applications, ensuring that military operations benefit from high-performance, secure, and reliable communications solutions.

Key Points:

  • Acquisition Completion: Nokia completes the acquisition of Fenix Group.
  • Defense Sector Enhancement: Integrates Fenix's tactical communications products, including Banshee and Talon radios.
  • Strategic Milestone: Marks a significant step in Nokia’s U.S. strategy, supported by CFIUS approval.
  • Enhanced Offerings: Expands Nokia's 3GPP-based solutions for defense customers globally.
  • Defense Innovation Collaboration: Builds on a joint DIU program to deliver tactical private wireless communications.
  • Positioning: Strengthens Nokia's role as a trusted provider of mission-critical technology solutions.

https://www.nokia.com/about-us/news/releases/2024/05/22/nokia-successfully-completes-acquisition-of-fenix-group-accelerating-us-strategy/

Dell'Oro: Mobile Core Network market under stress

 Due to economic headwinds, the Mobile Core Network (MCN) market dropped 10 percent in 1Q 2024, according to a new report from Dell'Oro Group. The 5G MCN market growth rate continues to decelerate in 1Q 2024.

 “The four-quarter rolling average has developed an ominous downward trend for three quarters as economic headwinds tighten their grip on the market, moving into negative territory in year-over-year growth rate in 1Q 2024,” stated Dave Bolan, Research Director at Dell’Oro Group. “This suggests that the downward trajectory will last at least one more quarter after the market high in 1Q 2023 falls out of the four-quarter rolling average. In addition, the 5G MCN market, based on the four-quarter rolling average, has now decelerated for five quarters in a row.

 “Inflation has impacted the ability of some Mobile Network Operators (MNOs) to raise capital, and it has also impacted subscribers when it comes to upgrading their phones to 5G. Many MNOs have lowered their CAPEX plans and announced that they have fewer than expected 5G subscribers on their networks; which limits MNOs' growth plans. As a result, we are lowering our expectations for 2024 from a positive growth rate to a negative one,” continued Bolan.

 Additional highlights from the 1Q 2024 Mobile Core Network and Multi-Access Edge Computing Report include:

  • As of 1Q 2024, 51 MNOs have commercially deployed 5G SA eMBB networks with two additional MNOS launching in 1Q 2024.
  • Based on the four-quarter rolling average trends, CALA and EMEA are trending into negative territory in terms of Y/Y revenue growth rates. North America is also trending into negative territory, while Asia Pacific, including China, is trending positive as of 1Q 2024.
  • Based on the four-quarter rolling average trend, the top four vendor rankings and shares remained stable between 4Q 2023 and 1Q 2024.

 https://www.delloro.com/news/1q-2024-mobile-core-network-market-drops-10-percent-amid-economic-challenges/

Netrouting picks Nokia for Optical + IP in data centers

Netrouting, a leading provider of cloud services and data center solutions in the Netherlands, is deploying Nokia's advanced Optical and IP technologies for the seamless interconnection of its cloud infrastructure and peering across seven data centers.

Nokia’s IP routing and optical solutions will supply the cloud infrastructure provider with a scalable and stable network infrastructure for its network edge routers that support its core network, for the interconnection of its data centers, and for support of its points of local distribution. The solution will include Nokia’s 1830 Photonic Service Switch (PSS), its 7750 Service Router (SR), and 7220 Interconnect Router (IXR).

Mark Vanderhaegen, Director of European Cloud Infrastructure Business at Nokia, said: “Nokia is thrilled to work with Netrouting to deploy our optical and IP technologies, marking a significant milestone Netrouting’s journey towards a full infrastructure upgrade for its network and data centers. This deal not only showcases our continued commitment towards revolutionizing cloud connectivity, but also our ability to deliver comprehensive, state-of-the-art networking solutions that meet the evolving needs of our customers."

https://www.nokia.com/about-us/news/releases/2024/05/22/nokia-powers-netrouting-cloud-interconnection-and-peering-in-the-netherlands/

Tuesday, May 21, 2024

Ampere targets 256-core CPU

Ampere Computing has released its annual update, showcasing the company's commitment to sustainable, power-efficient computing for the Cloud and AI sectors. The announcement included a collaboration with Qualcomm Technologies, Inc. to develop a joint AI inferencing solution. This solution will leverage Qualcomm's high-performance, low-power Qualcomm Cloud AI 100 inference solutions alongside Ampere's CPUs, aiming to deliver robust AI inferencing capabilities.

Renee James, CEO of Ampere, emphasized the growing importance of Ampere's silicon design, particularly in addressing the increasing power demands of AI. She highlighted that Ampere's approach has successfully combined low power consumption with high performance, challenging the traditional notion that low power equates to low performance. James pointed out that as AI continues to advance rapidly, the energy consumption of data centers becomes a critical issue, and Ampere's solutions are designed to address this by enhancing efficiency and performance without compromising sustainability.

Jeff Wittich, Chief Product Officer at Ampere, outlined the company's vision for "AI Compute," which integrates traditional cloud-native capabilities with AI. He noted that Ampere CPUs are versatile enough to handle a range of workloads, from data processing and web serving to media delivery and AI applications. Both James and Wittich introduced the upcoming AmpereOne® platform, featuring a 12-channel 256-core CPU built on the N3 process node, which promises to significantly boost performance.

Key Highlights from Ampere's Update:

  • Collaboration with Qualcomm Technologies to develop a joint AI inferencing solution featuring Ampere CPUs and Qualcomm Cloud AI 100 Ultra.
  • Expansion of Ampere's 12-channel platform with a 256-core AmpereOne® CPU, delivering over 40% more performance than current market CPUs without requiring exotic cooling solutions.
  • Meta's Llama 3 is now running on Ampere CPUs at Oracle Cloud, showing comparable performance to an Nvidia A10 GPU with a third of the power consumption.
  • Formation of a UCIe working group as part of the AI Platform Alliance to enhance CPU flexibility through open interface technology.
  • Detailed performance updates on AmpereOne®, which outpaces AMD Genoa by 50% and Bergamo by 15%, offering significant performance per watt advantages.
  • AmpereOne® platform provides up to 34% more performance per rack, aiding data centers in refreshing and consolidating infrastructure to save space, budget, and power.
  • Continued emphasis on sustainable data center infrastructure with solutions for retrofitting existing air-cooled environments and building new, environmentally sustainable data centers.
  • Ampere CPUs capable of running a wide range of workloads, from cloud-native applications to AI, integrating seamlessly with traditional applications.
  • Ampere's ongoing commitment to pioneering the efficiency frontier in computing, delivering high performance within an efficient computing envelope.


Ampere Computing has released its annual update, showcasing the company's commitment to sustainable, power-efficient computing for the Cloud and AI sectors. The announcement included a collaboration with Qualcomm Technologies, Inc. to develop a joint AI inferencing solution. This solution will leverage Qualcomm's high-performance, low-power Qualcomm Cloud AI 100 inference solutions alongside Ampere's CPUs, aiming to deliver robust AI inferencing capabilities.


Renee James, CEO of Ampere, emphasized the growing importance of Ampere's silicon design, particularly in addressing the increasing power demands of AI. She highlighted that Ampere's approach has successfully combined low power consumption with high performance, challenging the traditional notion that low power equates to low performance. James pointed out that as AI continues to advance rapidly, the energy consumption of data centers becomes a critical issue, and Ampere's solutions are designed to address this by enhancing efficiency and performance without compromising sustainability.

Jeff Wittich, Chief Product Officer at Ampere, outlined the company's vision for "AI Compute," which integrates traditional cloud-native capabilities with AI. He noted that Ampere CPUs are versatile enough to handle a range of workloads, from data processing and web serving to media delivery and AI applications. Both James and Wittich introduced the upcoming AmpereOne® platform, featuring a 12-channel 256-core CPU built on the N3 process node, which promises to significantly boost performance.

Key Highlights from Ampere's Update:

  • Collaboration with Qualcomm Technologies to develop a joint AI inferencing solution featuring Ampere CPUs and Qualcomm Cloud AI 100 Ultra.
  • Expansion of Ampere's 12-channel platform with a 256-core AmpereOne® CPU, delivering over 40% more performance than current market CPUs without requiring exotic cooling solutions.
  • Meta's Llama 3 is now running on Ampere CPUs at Oracle Cloud, showing comparable performance to an Nvidia A10 GPU with a third of the power consumption.
  • Formation of a UCIe working group as part of the AI Platform Alliance to enhance CPU flexibility through open interface technology.
  • Detailed performance updates on AmpereOne®, which outpaces AMD Genoa by 50% and Bergamo by 15%, offering significant performance per watt advantages.
  • AmpereOne® platform provides up to 34% more performance per rack, aiding data centers in refreshing and consolidating infrastructure to save space, budget, and power.
  • Continued emphasis on sustainable data center infrastructure with solutions for retrofitting existing air-cooled environments and building new, environmentally sustainable data centers.
  • Ampere CPUs capable of running a wide range of workloads, from cloud-native applications to AI, integrating seamlessly with traditional applications.
  • Ampere's ongoing commitment to pioneering the efficiency frontier in computing, delivering high performance within an efficient computing envelope.


https://youtu.be/pmHnZy7AjSk


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Edgecore intros AI Server AGS8200 powered by Intel Gaudi

Edgecore Networks has launched the AGS8200 AI server, designed to meet the needs of AI (Artificial Intelligence) and ML (Machine Learning) applications. This GPU-based server is suitable for training large language models, automation, and object classification and recognition tasks. The AGS8200 aims to enhance performance and efficiency for users in the AI and ML fields.

The AGS8200 is built with eight Intel Habana Gaudi 2 processors and dual 4th Gen Xeon Scalable Sapphire-Rapids processors. The Gaudi 2 processor features 96GB HBM2E memory and 24 NICs of 100Gbps RoCEv2 RDMA, offering strong connectivity and scalability for deep learning processes. The server's design allows for seamless training across all eight Gaudi 2 processors without needing an external Ethernet switch.

Additionally, the AGS8200 supports six QSFP-DD ports for scale-out, connecting to 400Gbps switches or 800Gbps switches via breakout cables. This makes it a practical choice for integrating into racks and clusters of Intel Gaudi 2-based nodes, optimizing AI/ML connectivity. The server is available for purchase through Edgecore Networks and its authorized distributors, making advanced AI technology accessible to businesses and research institutions.

Key Features of the AGS8200:

  • Powered by the Intel Gaudi 2 AI accelerator, the AGS8200 is suitable for training and inferencing large language models (LLM).
  • The Intel Gaudi 2 processors are designed for efficient heat dissipation and energy use, offering cost benefits.
  • Edgecore's commitment to open and optimized hardware and software supports initiatives like OCP, TIP, and SONiC.
  • The server's 24 x 100Gbps NICs and 21 x 100Gbps non-blocking connectivity support robust internal and external scale-out.
  • Six QSFP-DD ports enable the AGS8200 to connect to high-speed switches, ensuring scalability in AI/ML environments.
  • The AGS8200 is available for purchase, providing access to advanced AI technology through Edgecore Networks and its authorized distributors.

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Molex releases Advanced Thermal Management report for data centers

 Molex released a report on thermal management challenges and innovations as data centers face increasing demands for high-speed data throughput. The report highlights the need to address growing power density and heat dissipation in critical servers and interconnect systems. By exploring new thermal management approaches for I/O modules, Molex aims to provide solutions that support the transition from 112 Gbps to 224 Gbps connectivity while enhancing overall system efficiency.

Doug Busch, VP & GM of Molex’s Enabling Solutions Group, emphasized the importance of integrating new cooling technologies to optimize airflow and thermal management within next-generation data centers. As the demand for faster data processing and storage escalates, the heat generated by high-performance servers also rises. Molex is pioneering innovations in both copper and optical platforms, along with power management products, to improve system cooling capabilities and energy efficiency. This includes the application of optical connectivity and modules combined with advanced cooling solutions.

The report explores the latest air and liquid cooling techniques, such as direct-to-chip liquid cooling and immersion cooling. Molex's integrated floating pedestal liquid cooling solution addresses the challenges of cooling pluggable I/O modules by allowing a single cold plate to adapt to different configurations. Additionally, Molex's Drop Down Heat Sink (DDHS) technology offers a reliable method to enhance heat transfer without compromising component integrity. By collaborating with industry leaders in the Open Compute Project, Molex is at the forefront of developing next-generation cooling technologies to meet evolving data center needs.

Highlights:

  • Thermal Management Approaches: Innovations include drop-down heat sink solutions for I/O modules.
  • Demand for Faster Data Processing: Rise in heat generation from high-performance servers.
  • Liquid Cooling Solutions: Integration of direct-to-chip and immersion cooling within existing form factors.
  • Integrated Floating Pedestal: Each pedestal moves independently, optimizing heat transfer efficiency.
  • Drop Down Heat Sink (DDHS): Eliminates metal-to-metal contact, improving installation and durability.
  • Industry Collaboration: Participation in the Open Compute Project to advance cooling technologies.

www.molex.com

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MaxLinear launches 2.5G 7 & 10 port switches and 2.5G Octal-port Ethernet PHYs

MaxLinear has introduced a new family of 2.5G Ethernet switches and PHYs, featuring both 7-and 10-port switches and 8-port PHYs. These single-chip solutions are designed for consumer and industrial applications, boasting a large packet buffer, low power consumption, and an extensive feature set.

Key Features

1. Single-Chip Solutions:

  • Switches: 7-and 10-port configurations.
  • PHYs: 8-port configuration.

2. Power Efficiency:

  • Operates at just 600mW per port.
  • Total power consumption for eight PHYs is 4.8W.
  • Power consumption for five PHYs is 3.6W.

3. Advanced Features:

  • Wire-speed switching.
  • IGMPv3 (Internet Group Management Protocol).
  • MLPv1,2 (Multi-Link Point-to-Point Protocol).
  • LACP (Link Aggregation Control Protocol).
  • PTP (Precision Time Protocol).
  • SyncE (Synchronous Ethernet).
  • MACsec (Media Access Control Security).

4. Uplink Flexibility:

  • Options include 10G SERDES uplink ports.

5. Versatility:

  • Support for unmanaged, web-smart, cloud-managed, and industrial switches.

The new family enhances MaxLinear’s Ethernet product line, which already includes:

  • 10/100 Ethernet solutions.
  • 1G Ethernet solutions.
  • 2.5G bridges, PHYs, and switches.

"We are excited about MaxLinear's innovative 2.5G Ethernet solutions, which provide the high data rates we require while maintaining cost-effectiveness and energy efficiency,” said Andy Yang, GM of switch BU of Tenda. 

“The inclusion of advanced features like IGMPv3, LACP, HTTPS, ACL, and LLDP in a single-chip design simplifies our network deployments and enhances overall functionality."


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Expedera raises $20 million for AI chip tech

Expedera, a start-up based in Santa Clara, California, raised $20 million in Series B funding.

Expedera is a licensor of edge inference artificial intelligence (AI) semiconductor intellectual property (IP.

Expedera introduced its Origin NPU IP in 2021. Origin IP scales to 128 TOPS with a single engine and features highly efficient processor utilization with market-leading low-power consumption while requiring minimal external memory bandwidth. Expedera has production license contracts with multiple smartphone OEMs and numerous automotive, AR/VR/MR, and consumer device chipset makers. Its Origin IP has been deployed in over 10M devices.

The company says the funding will enable it to advance its high-performance, energy-efficient Neural Processing Unit (NPU) IP products and services and expand its global engineering footprint.

The funding round was led by indie Semiconductor, with participation from prominent repeat and new industry investors. This investment, which includes converting a previous SAFE note, brings the company's total funding to more than $47M. 

"AI is rapidly becoming one of the most important enablers for all market segments where edge computation and data intelligence is paramount, including in the automotive space," said Donald McClymont, indie co-founder and CEO. "Expedera has quickly emerged as the market leader in enabling edge inference with its Origin NPU IP. indie is excited to be on this journey with Expedera as it unlocks multiple new applications - including ADAS and sensor fusion - with class-leading edge AI performance and efficiency." 

"Since our Series A round, Expedera has dramatically increased the capabilities of our Origin hardware and software stack, added support for leading-edge neural networks, grown our customer base, and expanded into a global company," said Da Chuang, Expedera co-founder and CEO. "The addition of indie as lead among our new investors, and the continued support of our existing investors is a testament to the strength of Expedera's NPU solutions." 

https://www.expedera.com

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Netherland's signetbreedband deploys Nokia's advanced core

Nokia has secured a significant contract with Dutch managed network solutions provider Signetbreedband, a subsidiary of team.blue, a leading digital services provider in Europe. By integrating its advanced routing technology into Signetbreedband's core network, Nokia is enhancing the provider's ability to offer reliable and robust business networking services across the Netherlands.

Nokia is instrumental in the development of Signetbreedband’s new core network, "Connectivity Core." This network features automated and scalable components and integrates various fiber, LTE, and DSL partners to create an open, aggregated network. Nokia has deployed its 7250 interconnect router (IXR) family to build a resilient, scalable, and high-performance MPLS-based core network for Signetbreedband. Additionally, the 7250 IXR routers provide termination points for all regional Points of Presence (POPs).

The deployment also includes Nokia's 7750 Service Router (SR) as the Broadband Network Gateway (BNG), which is crucial for Signetbreedband’s business service networking architecture. The BNG enables automatic authentication, authorization of network access, enforcement of bandwidth policies, and recording of usage data for accounting. This evolution allows Signetbreedband to transition from static provisioning to an automated, centralized system using advanced protocols like NETCONF for improved data configuration management.

Highlights:

  • Nokia partners with Signetbreedband, enhancing their core network capabilities.
  • New core network "Connectivity Core" integrates automated, scalable components with fiber, LTE, and DSL partners.
  • Deployment of 7250 IXR routers provides a resilient, scalable MPLS-based core network with regional POP termination points.
  • Integration of 7750 Service Router acts as Broadband Network Gateway, central to business service networking.
  • Transition to advanced protocols like NETCONF for better data configuration management through automated, centralized provisioning.
  • Improved reliability and performance for business network services in the Netherlands.
https://www.nokia.com

Monday, May 20, 2024

Broadcom intros 400G RoCE/RDMA Ethernet NICs

 Broadcom has announced the release of its latest 400G PCIe Gen 5.0 Ethernet adapters, aimed at enhancing the efficiency and performance of data centers, particularly those focused on AI applications. These new products are designed to address the needs for higher bandwidth and improved connectivity in environments where XPU bandwidth and cluster sizes are expanding rapidly.

Key Points:

  • Advanced Manufacturing: The adapters are the industry’s first to be built using 5nm process technology, which contributes to better power and thermal efficiency.
  • Improved Connectivity Options: The adapters support passive copper cables up to five meters and ultra-low power linear pluggable optics transceivers. They are compatible with Broadcom’s high-radix Ethernet switches, facilitating higher rack density through mainstream air-cooling technologies.
  • Designed for AI Networks: With features like a third-generation RoCE pipeline and low-latency congestion control, the adapters are suited to the demanding requirements of AI data centers.
  • Compatibility and Standards: The software for the adapters is vendor-neutral, supporting various CPUs, GPUs, PCIe, and Ethernet switches. This reflects Broadcom’s commitment to open standards, aligning with its role in the Ultra Ethernet Consortium.

The BCM57608 adapter series is now available from multiple server vendors and directly from Broadcom. Jas Tremay, Vice President and General Manager of the Data Center Solutions Group at Broadcom, highlighted the importance of these adapters in supporting the evolving requirements of AI-focused data centers. This development is part of Broadcom’s ongoing efforts to strengthen its position in Ethernet data center infrastructure.

Microsoft and Qualcomm herald the AI PC era

 In a significant leap for PC technology, Microsoft, in collaboration with global OEMs, has unveiled a new range of PCs powered by Qualcomm's cutting-edge Snapdragon X Elite and Snapdragon X Plus processors. These devices promise to transform user interactions through advanced AI-driven capabilities.

Central to this technological revolution is Microsoft's Copilot+, designed to radically change how users engage with their PCs. The innovative software leverages the powerful new silicon, capable of delivering over 40 trillion operations per second (TOPS). This immense processing power is paired with all-day battery life and support for the most sophisticated AI models currently available.

A standout feature of this new suite of technologies is "Recall," a function that utilizes a personal semantic index on the device itself to manage and organize files more intuitively.

Qualcomm has not held back in its ambition, claiming its neural processing unit (NPU), powered by Snapdragon X Elite, sets a new standard in performance efficiency for laptops. According to Qualcomm, the Snapdragon X Elite offers up to 2.6 times the performance per watt compared to Apple's M3 chip, and up to 5.4 times that of Intel’s Core Ultra 7.

This announcement marks a pivotal moment in PC computing, promising a future where PCs are not only faster and more energy-efficient but also smarter and more responsive to user needs through AI integration.        


Tech Update: Massive Bandwidth Growth to/from AI Data Centers

The surging demand for AI data centers will put a strain on the underlying infrastructure. Russ Esmacher, SVP Strategy, Marketing and Corporate Development from Infinera discusses: 

 - The proliferation of data centers supports applications such as AI, cloud, and compute, driving bandwidth and connectivity across all markets. 

- There is a huge need for solutions and tools to stay ahead of this curve of massive bandwidth growth, focusing on cost efficiency and power management. 


https://youtu.be/mxfY7c0TWdU

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Dell’Oro: RAN Market Still a Disaster

Preliminary findings reveal that the Radio Access Network (RAN) market is still struggling after the peak in 2022, according to a new report from Dell’Oro Group. The results in the first quarter were exceptionally weak, underpinned by poor results across most suppliers. Preliminary findings suggest that the overall 2G-5G RAN market—including baseband plus radio hardware and software, excluding services—declined 15 to 30 percent in 1Q 2024, resulting in a third consecutive quarter of double-digit contractions.

“It’s difficult to find a silver lining in the first quarter,” said Stefan Pongratz, Vice President and analyst at the Dell’Oro Group. “We’ve been monitoring the RAN market since the year 2000, and the contraction experienced in the first quarter marked the steepest decline in our entire history of covering this market. In addition to the known coverage related challenges that the market is dealing with when comps in the advanced 5G markets are becoming more challenging, there are now serious concerns about the timing of the capacity upgrades given current network utilization levels and data traffic growth rates,” continued Pongratz.

Additional highlights from the 1Q 2024 RAN report:

  • Middle East and Africa are growing, Latin America is stable, and the remaining regions, including North America, Europe, and Asia Pacific declined sharply in 1Q 2024.
  • Vendor rankings remain stable while vendor shares are shifting. In the first quarter, Huawei’s 4QT (four quarter trailing) revenue share improved relative to 2023 while Nokia lost some ground over the same period.
  • The top 5 RAN suppliers based on worldwide revenues are Huawei, Ericsson, Nokia, ZTE, and Samsung.
  • * Growth projections have been revised slightly downward over the short term. Global RAN is now projected to decline 5 to 8 percent in 2024.