Discovering Powerful FS Enterprise Switches for Your Network

Posted on March 26, 2024 by Admin

Enterprise switches are specifically designed for networks with multiple switches and connections, often referred to as campus LAN switches. These switches are tailored to meet the needs of enterprise networks, which typically follow a three-tier hierarchical design comprising core, aggregation, and access layers. Each layer serves distinct functions within the network architecture. In this guide, we’ll delve into the intricacies of enterprise switches and discuss important factors to consider when buying them.

Data Centre, Enterprise, and Home Network Switches: Key Differences

Switch vendors provide network switches designed for different network environments. The following comparison will help you understand more about enterprise switches:

Data Centre Switches

These switches have high port density and bandwidth requirements, handling both north-south traffic (traffic between data centre external users and servers or between data centre servers and the Internet) and east-west traffic (traffic between servers within the data centre).

Enterprise Switches

They need to track and monitor users and endpoint devices to protect each connection point from security issues. Some have special features to meet specific network environments, such as PoE capabilities. With PoE technology, enterprise network switches can manage the power consumption of many endpoint devices connected to the switch.

Home Network Switches

Home network traffic is not high, meaning the requirements for switches are much lower. In most cases, switches only need to extend network connections and transfer data from one device to another without handling data congestion. Unmanaged plug-and-play switches are often used as the perfect solution for home networks because they are easy to manage, require no configuration, and are more cost-effective than managed switches. For SOHO offices with fewer than 10 users, a single 16-port Ethernet switch is usually sufficient. However, for tech-savvy users who like to build fast, secure home networks, managed switches are often the preferred choice.

Selecting the Ideal Switch: Data Centre vs. Enterprise Networks

For large enterprise networks, redundancy in the uplink links such as aggregation and core layers should be much higher than in the access layer. This means that high availability should be the primary consideration when designing the network. To cope with high traffic volumes and minimize the risk of failures, it’s advisable to deploy two or more aggregation or core layer switches at each level. This ensures that the failure of one switch does not affect the other.

In complex networks with a large number of servers to manage, network virtualization is needed to optimise network speed and reliability. Data centre switches offer richer functionality compared to traditional LAN enterprise switches, making them crucial for the successful deployment of high-density virtual machine environments and handling the increasing east-west traffic associated with virtualization.

Key Considerations Before Selecting Enterprise Switches

Ethernet switches play a crucial role in enterprise networks, regardless of whether it’s a small or large-scale network. Before you decide to buy enterprise switches, there are several criteria you should consider:

Network Planning

Identify your specific needs, including network scale, purpose, devices to be connected, and future network plans. For small businesses with fewer than 200 users and no expansion plans, a two-tier architecture might suffice. Medium to large enterprises typically require a three-tier hierarchical network model, comprising access, distribution, and core layer switches.

Evaluate Enterprise Switches

Once you’ve established your network architecture, delve deeper into information to make an informed decision.

  • Port Speeds and Wiring Connections: Modern enterprise switches support various port speeds such as 1G Ethernet, 10GE, 40GE, and 100GE. Consider whether you need RJ45 ports for copper connections or SFP/SFP+ ports for fibre connections based on your wiring infrastructure.
  • Installation Environment: Factor in the switch’s dimensions, operating temperature, and humidity based on the installation environment. Ensure adequate rack space and consider switches that can operate in extreme conditions if needed.
  • Advanced Features: Look for advanced features like built-in troubleshooting tools, converged wired or wireless capabilities, and other specific functionalities to meet your network requirements.

Other Considerations

PoE (Power over Ethernet) switches simplify wiring for devices like security cameras and IP phones. Stackable switches offer scalability for future expansion, enhancing network availability. By considering these factors, you can make a well-informed decision when selecting enterprise switches for your network infrastructure.

How to Choose Your Enterprise Switch Supplier

Creating a functional network is often more complex than anticipated. With numerous suppliers offering similar specifications for switches, how do you make the right choice? Here are some tips for selecting a different switch supplier:

  • Once you have an idea of your ideal switch ports and speeds, opt for a supplier with a diverse range of switch types and models. This makes it easier to purchase the right enterprise switches in one go and avoids compatibility and interoperability issues.
  • Understanding hardware support services, costs, and the software offered by switch suppliers can save you from unnecessary complications. Warranty is a crucial factor when choosing a switch brand. Online and offline technical assistance and troubleshooting support are also important considerations.

If you’ve reviewed the above criteria but are still unsure about the feasibility of your plan, seek help from network technicians. Most switch suppliers offer technical support and can recommend products based on your specific needs.

Conclusion

In summary, enterprise switches are essential components of contemporary network infrastructures, meeting the varied requirements of various network environments. When choosing, it’s essential to factor in elements like network planning, port speeds, installation environment, advanced features, and supplier support services. By carefully assessing these criteria and seeking guidance as necessary, you can ensure optimal performance and reliability for the network infrastructure.

How FS Can Help

FS offers a variety of models of enterprise switches and provides high-performance, highly reliable, and premium service network solutions, helping your enterprise network achieve efficient operations. Furthermore, FS not only offers a 5-year warranty for most switches but also provides free software upgrades. Additionally, our 24/7 customer service and free technical support are available in all time zones.

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Exploring FS Enterprise Switches: A Comprehensive Insight

Posted on March 26, 2024 by Admin

As a business owner, selecting the right switch for your enterprise network can be an ongoing challenge. You not only need to deal with dozens of suppliers offering various switch options but also consider the actual setup environment. In such situations, you may encounter a variety of questions, such as compatibility with existing equipment, required functionalities, and more.

FS enterprise switches perform exceptionally well in multiple scenarios, meeting the fundamental needs of modern enterprises by optimising networking, enhancing network reliability, and simplifying operations. In this article, we will introduce three series of enterprise switches from FS to help you make better choices.

FS S3910 Series Enterprise Switches

Considering users’ needs for security, availability, and ease of operation, the FS S3910 series gigabit Ethernet switches are equipped with a variety of features at both the software and hardware levels.

Software

The S3910 series enterprise switches support various security policies and protocols. Administrators can utilise the S3910 switch’s anti-DDoS attack, illegal ARP packet inspection, and various hardware ACL policies for protection, creating a clean network environment for end users. Additionally, it supports various IPv4 and IPv6 protocols, allowing users to build flexible networks according to their requirements. Lastly, it supports multiple standard management methods such as SNMP, CLI, RMON, SSH, Syslog, NTP/SNTP, FTP, TFTP, and Web GUI, catering to different user preferences.

Hardware

The key components of the S3910 series enterprise switches are reinforced with conformal coating, enhancing device protection and reliability in harsh environments. Additionally, the switch ports can withstand 8 kV lightning strikes. Furthermore, hot-swappable power supplies and redundant power can minimise downtime. Four fixed SFP or SFP+ ports can be used for physical stacking, providing greater flexibility in network topology design.An important feature of the FS S3910 series gigabit switches is their green energy-saving capability. They incorporate a port auto-power-off function. If a port remains idle for a while, the system automatically switches the port to energy-saving mode. When there is data transmission or reception, the port is awakened by periodically sending monitoring frames, resuming service.

Application

The S3910 series gigabit enterprise switches can fully meet the requirements of various medium- to large-scale network aggregation layers and can serve as core switches in some small-scale networks. Common application areas include:

  • Gigabit access for LAN networks in large-scale park networks such as government buildings, universities, large enterprises, and manufacturing industries.
  • Gigabit access for commercial networks in sectors such as healthcare, libraries, conference centres, and exhibition halls.

FS S5800 Series Enterprise Switches

The FS S5800 series switches are layer 3 switches designed in a compact 1U form factor, suitable for most rack-mount scenarios requiring high density. They come with 1+1 hot-swappable DC power supplies and redundant fans, support MLAG, and offer higher reliability with the advantage of individual device upgrades.There are seven types in the FS S5800 series, each with different port configurations, but all featuring multifunctional design, flexible operations, and enhanced security for validated performance, addressing common challenges in network solutions. Here are the notable advantages of the FS S5800 series switches:

  • Achieve higher capacity with up to 600 Gbps switching capacity at a lower cost, with optimal traffic control for microsecond-level latency.
  • Support ARP checks and IP Source Guard features to protect business networks from attacks.
  • Real-time configuration, monitoring, and troubleshooting of devices without CLI expertise. Visual interface for clear system status.
  • Build high-speed and future-ready networks for applications requiring higher bandwidth, such as 4K videos, HD video conferences, low-latency gaming, etc.

Different layers in the three-tiered model may have varying requirements for switches. Whether current or future demands, the FS S5800 series switches offer multiple options. For more FAQs about the FS S5800 series switches, you can visit the FS community.

FS S3900 Series Enterprise Switches

The FS S3900 series switches are gigabit Ethernet L2/L3 Lite managed switches, typically featuring 24 or 48 1G downlink ports and 4 10G uplink ports for stacking. The S3900 series switches also support various features such as advanced QoS, 1+1 redundant power supplies, and fans, making them an ideal choice for small and medium-sized enterprises, campuses, and branch networks. Here are the key features of the FS S3900 series switches:

Support Stacking

Simplified network management. The 10G high-speed uplink ports provide flexibility and scalability for enterprise access deployments.

Minimised Power Consumption

The S3900-24T4S switch adopts a fanless design for low-noise operation, addressing the issue of high noise levels in small switch deployments in office environments, thus enhancing overall system reliability.

Efficient Traffic Management

The QoS of the S3900 series switches enables better traffic control, reducing network latency and congestion, and providing improved service capabilities for designated network communications.

Enhanced Security

Leveraging the Secure Shell (SSH) protocol of the S3900 series switches, remote servers can be easily controlled and modified via the Internet. Furthermore, SSH uses key login functionality to encrypt and authenticate network data, limiting unauthorized access and effectively ensuring the normal operation of user network services.

Conclusion

Overall, FS provides three series of enterprise switches – S3900, S3910, and S5800 – designed to meet various network scales and requirements, delivering flexible, efficient, and secure network solutions.

While the S3900 series is a stackable switch supporting high-performance Ethernet stacking technology for easier network expansion and management, the S3910 series goes a step further as a high-performance enterprise-level switch with higher stacking bandwidth and more stack members, making it ideal for demanding network environments. On the other hand, the S5800 series stands out as a high-performance switch specifically designed for data centres and large enterprise networks, featuring high-density 10G and 40G port configurations, making it perfect for high-bandwidth scenarios.

If you’re still hesitating about choosing FS switches, why not take a look at what FS users have to say about our switches?

How FS Can Help

As a global cross-industry network solutions provider in the ICT sector, FS offers products and customised solutions to global data centres, telecommunications, and various enterprises. Register on the FS website now to enjoy comprehensive services immediately.

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Elevating Network Performance: Insights into Protocols, Architectures, and Solutions

Posted on March 1, 2024 by Admin

In the ever-evolving field of computer networking, protocols play a crucial role in managing data exchange. One cornerstone is the OSI Seven-Layer Model, designed to standardize communication between computers by showcasing its complexity through a layered network model. From the hardware-centric Physical Layer to the application-centric Application Layer, each layer contributes to seamless communication.

Understanding OSI Protocol and the Transition to RDMA in HPC

A protocol is a set of rules, standards, or agreements established for data exchange within computer networks. Legally, the OSI (Open Systems Interconnection) Seven-Layer Model is an international standard designed to meet the requirements of open networks through its seven-layer network model. Each layer has specific functions and responsibilities that facilitate communication and data exchange between computers. It is worth noting that real-world network protocols may deviate from the OSI model based on practical needs and network architecture design and implementation.

TCP/IP is a protocol suite composed of various protocols, roughly divided into four layers: the Application Layer, Transport Layer, Network Layer, and Data Link Layer. TCP/IP is considered an optimized version of the seven-layer model.

Against the backdrop of high-performance computing (HPC) and its demand for high throughput and low latency, TCP/IP has transitioned to RDMA (Remote Direct Memory Access). TCP/IP has some drawbacks, including latency and significant CPU overhead due to multiple context switches and CPU involvement in encapsulation during transmission.

RDMA, as a technology, allows direct access to memory data through the network interface without involving the operating system kernel. It enables high-throughput, low-latency network communication, making it ideal for large-scale parallel computing clusters.

Spine-Leaf Architecture vs. Traditional Three-Layer Networks

Traditional data centers typically employ a three-tier architecture, consisting of the access layer, aggregation layer, and core layer. However, traditional three-tier network architectures have significant drawbacks, which become more apparent with the development of cloud computing: bandwidth waste, large failure domains, and high latency.

The spine-leaf architecture offers significant advantages, including a flat design, low latency, and high bandwidth. In a spine-leaf network, the role of leaf switches is similar to traditional access switches, while spine switches act as core switches. This architecture achieves non-blocking performance. Since each leaf in the structure is connected to every spine, any issue with one spine only results in a slight decrease in throughput performance for the data center.

A Deep Dive into NVIDIA SuperPOD Architecture

SuperPOD refers to a cluster of servers interconnected through multiple computing nodes to provide high-throughput performance. Taking the NVIDIA DGX A100 SuperPOD as an example, the recommended configuration utilizes the QM8790 switch, offering 40 ports, each operating at 200G. The architecture employed follows a fat-tree (non-blocking) structure.

In terms of switch performance, the QM9700 introduced in the DGX H100 SuperPOD recommended configuration incorporates Sharp technology. This technology utilizes an aggregator manager to construct Streaming Aggregated Trees (SATs) within the physical topology. Multiple switches in the tree execute parallel computation, thereby reducing latency and enhancing network performance. The QM8700/8790+CX6 supports up to 2 SATs, while the QM9700/9790+CX7 supports up to 64 SATs. As the number of ports increases, the number of switches decreases.

Switch Choices: Ethernet, InfiniBand, and RoCE Compared

The fundamental difference between Ethernet switches and InfiniBand switches lies in the distinction between the TCP/IP protocol and RDMA (Remote Direct Memory Access). Currently, Ethernet switches are more commonly used in traditional data centers, while InfiniBand switches are more prevalent in storage networks and high-performance computing (HPC) environments.

Modern data centers demand underlying interconnects with maximum bandwidth and extremely low latency. In this scenario, traditional TCP/IP network protocols prove inadequate, resulting in CPU processing overhead and high latency.

For enterprises deciding between RoCE and InfiniBand, careful consideration of unique requirements and cost factors is crucial. Those prioritizing the highest performance network connections may find InfiniBand preferable, while those seeking optimal performance, ease of management, and cost-effectiveness may choose RoCE in their data centers.

Inquiry and Answers on InfiniBand Technology

With the advancement of big data technologies, the demand for high-performance computing continues to rise. To meet this demand, the NVIDIA Quantum-2 InfiniBand platform provides users with outstanding distributed computing performance, achieving high-speed, low-latency data transmission, and processing capabilities.

FS’s InfiniBand solutions include AOC/DAC cables and modules with speeds of 800G, 400G, 200G, 100G, and 56/40G, as well as NVIDIA InfiniBand adapters and NVIDIA InfiniBand switches. In IB network cluster solutions, FS’s professional team will provide corresponding hardware connectivity solutions based on the network. Tailored to your needs and network scale, ensuring network stability and high performance.

For more inquiries and answers regarding InfiniBand technology, please read Inquiries and Answers about Infiniband Technology.

How FS Can Help

FS offers a rich array of products supporting RoCE or InfiniBand. Regardless of your choice, it provides lossless network solutions based on these two network connectivity options. These solutions enable users to build high-performance computing capabilities and lossless network environments. Sign up now to improve your connectivity or request a customized consultation for high-speed solution design.

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Accelerating Data Centers: Unveiling the Power of InfiniBand Technology

Posted on March 1, 2024 by Admin

Data centers are undergoing a decisive shift towards accelerated computing. To meet the growing demands of high-performance computing (HPC) and expanded infrastructure, there is a clear need to accelerate interconnectivity and deploy smarter network solutions. Against this backdrop, InfiniBand products have emerged as a focal point of industry attention, meticulously addressing these pressing needs.

Basics of InfiniBand

InfiniBand is a high-speed, low-latency interconnect technology primarily used in data centers and high-performance computing (HPC) environments. It provides a high-performance fabric for connecting servers, storage devices, and other network resources within clusters or data centers. Overall, InfiniBand technology offers the following advantages: high speed and scalability, low latency, and low power consumption.

InfiniBand in HPC Networking

In the field of high-performance computing (HPC), high-speed interconnect (HSI) networks play a crucial role in system performance and efficiency. As one of the fastest-developing HSI technologies, InfiniBand offers bandwidth of up to 200Gbps and point-to-point latency of less than 0.6 microseconds, providing robust support for building high-performance computing clusters.

With the high-speed networking capabilities of InfiniBand, HPC systems can effectively combine multiple servers to achieve linear performance scalability. Therefore, the importance of InfiniBand technology in the HPC field is not only reflected in enhancing the performance of computing clusters but also in providing essential support for data centers of different scales, driving the overall development of the HPC ecosystem.

For more information about InfiniBand, please refer to Getting to Know about InfiniBand.

Tips for Choosing InfiniBand Product

InfiniBand products play a crucial role in high-performance computing data centers, and choosing the right products is essential for operational success. Selecting suitable InfiniBand products is paramount for high-performance computing data centers. Factors to consider include bandwidth and distance requirements, connectors, budget, compatibility, reliability, and future needs, all of which contribute to choosing the appropriate IB connector.

Regarding InfiniBand network interconnect products: DAC high-speed copper cables provide an economical solution for short-distance high-speed interconnects. AOC active cables utilize optical technology for long-distance data transmission.

Optical modules are typically used for long-distance, high-speed interconnects. Understanding the different product categories, rates, and packaging modules helps make informed decisions, while selecting the right vendor ensures receiving high-quality InfiniBand products that meet performance and budget requirements.

200G Data Centers: Choosing Between QSFP56 and QSFP-DD as the Dominant Standard

With the rapid development of optical communication and the internet, the demand for networks has correspondingly increased, leading to a significant annual growth rate of 50% to 80% in telecom backbone network traffic. To meet user demands, the transmission rates of optical communication have continuously evolved, progressing from 10G, 25G, and 40G to the current 100G, 200G, 400G, and beyond. Currently, there are two main forms of 200G optical modules in the market: 200G QSFP56 and 200G QSFP-DD.

FS offers a full range of next-generation 200G InfiniBand and 200G Ethernet products, including 200G QSFP56 SR4, 200G QSFP56 FR4, 200G QSFP56 LR4, 200G QSFP-DD 2SR4, 200G QSFP56 AOC, 200G QSFP-DD AOC, 200G QSFP56 DAC, and 200G QSFP-DD AOC—both DAC and AOC support “breakout” applications.

The 200G QSFP56 SR4 optical module is suitable for data centers, high-performance computing networks, enterprise core, and distribution layer applications.

The 200G QSFP56 FR4 transceiver is suitable for 200G Ethernet, data centers, and cloud networks.

The 200G QSFP56 LR4 transceiver is suitable for 200G Ethernet, data centers, and 5G backhaul.

The 200G QSFP-DD 2SR4 transceiver is suitable for 2×100GBASE-SR4 Ethernet, data centers, as well as switch and router connections.

200G AOC and DAC are typically used for connections between access switches and servers. In basic interconnection scenarios between access switches and servers, branch DAC and AOC can meet diverse requirements beyond standard direct DAC and AOC connections. FS provides a range of 200G to 4x50G, 200G to 8x25G, and 200G to 2X100G DAC and AOC products, offering data centers more flexible and adaptable solutions.

A Closer Look at 200G Active Optical Cables (AOC) in Data Centers

In the data center environment, a 200G AOC specifically refers to AOC designed to handle a 200 Gbps data rate. The core principle of a 200G AOC is to utilize lasers at one end to convert electrical signals into optical signals and then convert them back into electrical signals at the other end. This process ensures long-distance, high-speed, and reliable data transmission within the data center.

The landscape of 200G AOC includes variants such as 200G QSFP-DD AOC and 200G QSFP56 AOC. The former is based on the Quad Small Form-factor Pluggable Double Density (QSFP-DD) standard, known for its high density, with each channel supporting 8 channels of 25G or 50G. The latter is based on the QSFP56 standard, providing an economical and efficient solution for 200G connections. A fundamental feature of 200G AOC is its ability to branch into multiple low-speed channels, providing flexibility in various network scenarios.

The versatility of 200G AOC makes it suitable for various applications. Specific use cases include data center networking, high-performance computing (HPC), cloud computing, supercomputing and research, video production, and broadcasting.

Advantages of AOC over DAC

Compared to 200G Direct Attach Cables (DAC), 200G Active Optical Cables offer several advantages, making them a preferred choice in certain scenarios:

Longer Reach:

AOC can transmit data over longer distances compared to DAC, making them suitable for applications where the endpoints are not close.

Lighter Weight:

AOC is generally lighter than DAC, contributing to easier cable management and reduced strain on equipment.

Electromagnetic Interference (EMI) Immunity:

AOC is less susceptible to electromagnetic interference, ensuring a more stable and reliable signal transmission in environments with high interference.

How FS Can Help

FS is an elite partner of NVIDIA® and offers a rich variety of InfiniBand products on its official website, including NVIDIA® InfiniBand Switches, InfiniBand modules, InfiniBand cables, and NVIDIA® InfiniBand Adapters. FS website maintains an ample stock of InfiniBand products and ensures swift delivery. If you wish to purchase InfiniBand products or obtain InfiniBand solutions, you can contact FS for assistance.

For detailed information on purchasing 200G InfiniBand products, you can read:

200G Data Centers: Choosing Between QSFP56 and QSFP-DD as the Dominant Standard | FS Community

InfiniBand 200Gbps QSFP56 DAC/AOC Cable and Transceiver Solutions | FS Community

200G Active Optical Cables (AOC) in Data Centers | FS CommunityTips on Choosing InfiniBand Products for HPC Computing | FS Community

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Data Centre Connectivity: The Surge of Coherent Optical Transceiver Technology

Posted on March 1, 2024 by Admin

According to the optical transceiver report from the Yole Group, the revenue generated by optical transceivers in 2022 was approximately $11 billion. Forecasts indicate substantial growth in this field, with projections reaching $22.2 billion by 2028.

As data centres witness increased investments and rapid growth in traffic, the optical module market undergoes a transformative phase. The mainstream adoption of silicon photonics technology in optical transceivers is a key trend fueling this evolution, as data centre operators aim to maximise their infrastructure capabilities.

Click to learn more about the trends in the data centre optical module market: New Trends of Optical Transceiver Market in Data Centers | FS Community

Advancements in Coherent Optical Module Technology and Standardization Trends

Coherent technology has emerged as the leading solution for Data Center Interconnect (DCI) applications, spanning distances of 80 to 120 km in data communication. The evolution of applications has brought forth new demands for coherent optical transceiver systems. This shift has led to the development of coherent transceiver units, transitioning from initial integration with line cards and Multi-Source Agreements (MSA) transceivers to independent, standardized pluggable optical transceivers.

The latest advancements in Complementary Metal-Oxide-Semiconductor (CMOS) technology digital signal processor (DSP) chips and integrated photonics technology have paved the way for developing smaller, lower power-consuming pluggable coherent optical transceivers. The trajectory of coherent optical modules applied in metropolitan and backbone networks is characterized by high speed, miniaturization, low power consumption, and standardization of interoperability.

Presently, commercial coherent technology has progressed to support single-wavelength 800G transmission. Nonetheless, the industry lacks standardized specifications for 800G. In contrast, 400G coherent technology has reached maturity, adhering to standards like 400ZR, OpenROADM, and OpenZR+. The Optical Internetworking Forum (OIF) is currently deliberating on the next-generation coherent technology standard, tentatively named 800ZR.

Coherent Modulation vs. PAM4 in 800G Optical Transmission

Coherent modulation used in coherent optical communication involves altering the frequency, phase, and amplitude of the optical carrier to transmit signals. Unlike intensity detection, coherent modulation requires coherent light with clear frequency and phase, primarily used for high-speed and long-distance transmission. PAM4 is suitable for high-speed, medium-short distance transmission, making it ideal for internal connections in next-generation data centres.

For example, FS OSFP 800G SR8 optical transceivers employ PAM4 modulation, suitable for use in InfiniBand NDR end-to-end systems, designed for Quantum-2 air-cooled switches. They are the ideal solution for the supercomputing and artificial intelligence industries, seamlessly integrating into compute and storage infrastructures, ensuring efficient high-performance connectivity.

In the context of long-distance Data Center Interconnect (DCI) scenarios, PAM4 faces competition from coherent modulation based on the 400ZR protocol. As data centre speeds enter the era of 800G, the differences between PAM4 and coherent technology are gradually diminishing. The competitiveness of each technology depends on factors such as cost and power consumption.

Choosing Between InP and Silicon Photonics

In the context of coherent technology, the choice between InP (Indium Phosphide) and silicon photonics for I/Q modulators and receivers becomes crucial. Despite being cost-effective, silicon photonics exhibits lower performance, known for its high peak voltage and limited bandwidth. In contrast, InP offers lower peak voltage and superior bandwidth but at a higher cost. In PAM4 and coherent technologies, InP transceivers are often more expensive, while silicon photonics provides a more economical alternative.

Coherent vs. PAM4 in High-Speed Transmission

Regarding power consumption, with the evolution of chip technology from 7nm to 5nm and even 3nm, enhancement is not limited to an increase in DSP processing rates. It also extends to superior power reduction performance.

Conclusion

Several companies have validated these methods through experiments. FS believes that with increased production and reduced costs, coherent methods can achieve cost competitiveness with PAM4 by requiring only a laser, modulator, and receiver. This remains true even as optical equipment becomes more complex. Consistency in solutions enables higher flexibility and performance, distinguishing them. In conclusion, the competition between coherent transmission technology and PAM4 transmission technology continues, with future developments determining the mainstream approach.

As a leading solutions provider in the industry, FS has an abundant stock of 800G modules, ensuring your needs are met from quality to rapid delivery. Visit the FS website now for more product and solution information.

Read more about the detailed content on coherent modules: Advancements in Coherent Optical Module Technology and Standardization Trends | FS Community

Coherent Modulation vs. PAM4 in 800G Optical Transmission | FS Community

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Harnessing the Potential of InfiniBand: Solutions for Modern Networking Challenges

Posted on March 1, 2024 by Admin

InfiniBand (IB) is an advanced computer network communication standard developed by the InfiniBand Trade Association (IBTA). InfiniBand technology enjoys a high reputation in HPC connections for supercomputers, storage, and even LAN networks. InfiniBand has numerous advantages, including simplified management, high bandwidth, complete CPU offloading, ultra-low latency, cluster scalability and flexibility, quality of service (QoS), and SHARP support, among others.

InfiniBand is a critical communication technology for data transmission, suitable for various applications. It has evolved to dominate network speeds of 100G EDR or 200G HDR and is progressing towards even faster speeds like 400G NDR and 800G XDR. InfiniBand adheres to strict latency requirements, approaching zero latency. It excels in applications requiring rapid and precise data processing, commonly used for tasks such as extensive data analysis, machine learning, deep learning training, inference, prediction, and forecasting in supercomputing.

InfiniBand HDR Product Solutions in Supercomputing

NVIDIA GPUs and networking products, particularly Mellanox HDR Quantum QM87xx switches and BlueField DPUs, have established a dominant position in the interconnect of over two-thirds of supercomputers.

InfiniBand HDR Switch

NVIDIA offers two types of InfiniBand HDR switches, namely the HDR CS8500 modular chassis switch and the QM87xx series fixed switches. The 200G HDR QM87xx switches come in two models: MQM8700-HS2F and MQM8790-HS2F. CQM8700 and QM8790 switches typically serve two connection applications. One is to connect with a 200G HDR network interface card (NIC) using 200G-to-200G AOC/DAC cables for direct connection.

Another common application is to connect with a 100G HDR NIC, requiring the use of a 200G-to-2X100G cable to split one physical 200G (4X50G) QSFP56 port of the switch into two virtual 100G (2X50G) ports. After splitting, the port symbols change from x/y to x/Y/z, where “x/Y” represents the original symbol of the port before splitting, and “z” represents the port number (1,2) of the single-channel port, with each sub-physical port considered as a separate port.

InfiniBand HDR Network Interface Cards (NICs)

Compared to HDR switches, HDR Network Interface Cards (NICs) come in various types. In terms of speed, there are two options: HDR100 and HDR. In addition to the data rates for each interface, NICs of each speed can also be selected based on business requirements for single-port, dual-port, and PCIe types.

The HDR InfiniBand network architecture is straightforward yet offers a range of hardware options. For 100Gb/s speed, there are solutions like 100G EDR and 100G HDR100. At 200Gb/s speed, options include HDR and 200G NDR200. There are significant differences in the switches, NICs, and accessories used in various applications.

conclusion

InfiniBand high-performance HDR and EDR switches, Smart NIC cards, as well as solutions combining NADDOD/Mellanox/Cisco/HPE AOC & DAC & optical module products, provide more advantageous and valuable optical network products and comprehensive solutions for applications such as data centers, high-performance computing, and edge computing. This significantly enhances customers’ business acceleration capabilities while offering low cost and excellent performance.

Click to read more related content: Exploring InfiniBand Network, HDR and Significance of IB Applications in Supercomputing | FS Communi

Advantages and Applications of 2x200G HDR Splitter | FS Community

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Enhancing Data Center Networks with InfiniBand Solutions

Posted on February 6, 2024 by Admin

With the rapid growth of data centres driven by expansive models, cloud computing, and big data analytics, there is an increasing demand for high-speed data transfer and low-latency communication. In this complex network ecosystem, InfiniBand (IB) technology has become a market leader, playing a vital role in addressing the challenges posed by the training and deployment of expansive models. Constructing high-speed networks within data centres requires essential components such as high-rate network cards, optical modules, switches, and advanced network interconnect technologies.

NVIDIA Quantum™-2 InfiniBand Switch

When selecting switches, NVIDIA’s QM9700 and QM9790 series stand out as the most advanced devices. Built on NVIDIA Quantum-2 architecture, they offer 64 NDR 400Gb/s InfiniBand ports within a standard 1U chassis. This breakthrough translates to an individual switch providing a total bidirectional bandwidth of 51.2 terabits per second (Tb/s), along with an unprecedented handling capacity exceeding 66.5 billion packets per second (BPPS).

The NVIDIA Quantum-2 InfiniBand switches extend beyond their NDR high-speed data transfer capabilities, incorporating extensive throughput, on-chip compute processing, advanced intelligent acceleration features, adaptability, and sturdy construction. These attributes establish them as the quintessential selections for sectors involving high-performance computing (HPC) and expansive cloud-based infrastructures.

Additionally, the integration of NDR switches helps minimise overall cost and complexity, thereby promoting the development of data centre network technology.

Also Check- Revolutionizing Data Center Networks: 800G Optical Modules and NDR Switches | FS Community

ConnectX®-7 InfiniBand Card

The NVIDIA ConnectX®-7 InfiniBand network card (HCA) ASIC delivers a staggering data throughput of 400Gb/s, supporting 16 lanes of PCIe 5.0 or PCIe 4.0 host interface. Utilising advanced SerDes technology with 100Gb/s per lane, the 400Gb/s InfiniBand is achieved through OSFP connectors on both the switch and HCA ports. The OSFP connector on the switch supports two 400Gb/s InfiniBand ports or 200Gb/s InfiniBand ports, while the network card HCA features one 400Gb/s InfiniBand port. The product range includes active and passive copper cables, transceivers, and MPO fibre cables. Notably, despite both using OSFP packaging, there are differences in physical dimensions, with the switch-side OSFP module equipped with heat fins for cooling.

OSFP 800G Optical Transceiver

The OSFP-800G SR8 Module is specifically crafted for utilization in 800Gb/s 2xNDR InfiniBand systems, offering throughput up to 30m over OM3 or 50m over OM4 multimode fibre (MMF) by utilising a wavelength of 850nm through dual MTP/MPO-12 connectors. Its dual-port configuration represents a significant advancement incorporating two internal transceiver engines, fully unlocking the switch’s potential.

This design allows the 32 physical interfaces to support up to 64 400G NDR interfaces. With its high-density and high-bandwidth design, this module enables data centres to seamlessly meet the escalating network demands of applications such as high-performance computing and cloud infrastructure.

Furthermore, the FS OSFP-800G SR8 Module provides outstanding performance and reliability, delivering robust optical interconnection choices for data centres. This module enables data centres to utilise the complete performance potential of the QM9700/9790 series switch, facilitating high-bandwidth and low-latency data transmission.

NDR Optical Connection Solution

Addressing the NDR optical connection challenge, the NDR switch ports utilize OSFP with eight channels per interface, each employing 100Gb/s SerDes. This allows for three mainstream connection speed options: 800G to 800G, 800G to 2X400G, and 800G to 4X200G. Additionally, each channel supports a downgrade from 100Gb/s to 50Gb/s, facilitating interoperability with previous-generation HDR devices.

The 400G NDR series cables and transceivers offer diverse product choices for configuring network switch and adapter systems, focusing on data centre lengths of up to 500 meters to accelerate HPC computing systems. The various connector types, including passive copper cables (DAC), active optical cables (AOC), and optical modules with jumpers, cater to different transmission distances and bandwidth requirements, ensuring low latency and an extremely low bit error rate for high-bandwidth HPC and accelerated computing applications.

Please see the article for deployment details Infiniband NDR OSFP Solution from the FS community.

Conclusion

In summary, InfiniBand (IB) technology offers unparalleled throughput, intelligent acceleration, and robust performance for HPC, and cloud infrastructures. FS OSFP-800G SR8 Module and NDR Optical Connection Solution further enhance data centre capabilities, enabling high-bandwidth, low-latency connectivity essential for modern computing applications.

Explore the full range of advanced networking solutions at FS.com and revolutionize your data centre network today!

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RoCE Technology for Data Transmission in HPC Networks

Posted on February 6, 2024 by Admin

RDMA (Remote Direct Memory Access) enables direct data transfer between devices in a network, and RoCE (RDMA over Converged Ethernet) is a leading implementation of this technology. It improves data transmission with high speed and low latency, making it ideal for high-performance computing and cloud environments.

Definition

As a type of RDMA, RoCE is a network protocol defined in the InfiniBand Trade Association (IBTA) standard, allowing RDMA over converged Ethernet network. Shortly, it can be regarded as the application of RDMA technology in hyper-converged data centers, cloud, storage, and virtualized environments. It possesses all the benefits of RDMA technology and the familiarity of Ethernet. If you want to understand it in depth, you can read this article RDMA over Converged Ethernet Guide | FS Community.

Types

Generally, there are two RDMA over Converged Ethernet versions: RoCE v1 and RoCE v2. It depends on the network adapter or card used.

Retaining the interface, transport layer, and network layer of InfiniBand (IB), the RoCE protocol substitutes the link layer and physical layer of IB with the link layer and network layer of Ethernet. In the link-layer data frame of a RoCE data packet, the Ethertype field value is specified by IEEE as 0x8915, unmistakably identifying it as a RoCE data packet. However, due to the RoCE protocol’s non-adoption of the Ethernet network layer, RoCE data packets lack an IP field. Consequently, routing at the network layer is unfeasible for RoCE data packets, restricting their transmission to routing within a Layer 2 network.

Introducing substantial enhancements, the RoCE v2 protocol builds upon the RoCE protocol’s foundation. It transforms the InfiniBand (IB) network layer utilized by the RoCE protocol by incorporating the Ethernet network layer and a transport layer employing the UDP protocol. It harnesses the DSCP and ECN fields within the IP datagram of the Ethernet network layer for implementing congestion control. This enables RoCE v2 protocol packets to undergo routing, ensuring superior scalability. As it fully supersedes the original RoCE protocol, references to the RoCE protocol generally denote the RoCE v2 protocol, unless explicitly specified as the first generation of RoCE. Also Check- An In-Depth Guide to RoCE v2 Network | FS Community

InfiniBand vs. RoCE

In comparison to InfiniBand, RoCE presents the advantages of increased versatility and relatively lower costs. It not only serves to construct high-performance RDMA networks but also finds utility in traditional Ethernet networks. However, configuring parameters such as Headroom, PFC (Priority-based Flow Control), and ECN (Explicit Congestion Notification) on switches can pose complexity. In extensive deployments, especially those featuring numerous network cards, the overall throughput performance of RoCE networks may exhibit a slight decrease compared to InfiniBand networks. In actual business scenarios, there are major differences between the two in terms of business performance, scale, operation and maintenance.

Benefits

RDMA over Converged Ethernet ensures low-latency and high-performance data transmission by providing direct memory access through the network interface. This technology minimizes CPU involvement, optimizing bandwidth and scalability as it enables access to remote switch or server memory without consuming CPU cycles. The zero-copy feature facilitates efficient data transfer to and from remote buffers, contributing to improved latency and throughput with RoCE. Notably, RoCE eliminates the need for new equipment or Ethernet infrastructure replacement, leading to substantial cost savings for companies dealing with massive data volumes.

How FS Can Help

In the fast-evolving landscape of HPC data center networks, selecting the right solution is paramount. Drawing on a skilled technical team and vast experience in diverse application scenarios, FS utilizes RoCE to tackle the formidable challenges encountered in High-Performance Computing (HPC).

FS offers a range of products, including NVIDIA® InfiniBand Switches, 100G/200G/400G/800G InfiniBand transceivers and NVIDIA® InfiniBand Adapters, establishing itself as a professional provider of communication and high-speed network system solutions for networks, data centers, and telecom clients.

Take action now – register for more information and experience our products through a Free Product Trial.

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Revolutionize High-Performance Computing with RDMA

Posted on February 6, 2024 by Admin

To address the efficiency challenges of rapidly growing data storage and retrieval within data centers, the use of Ethernet-converged distributed storage networks is becoming increasingly popular. However, in storage networks where data flows are mainly characterized by large flows, packet loss caused by congestion will reduce data transmission efficiency and aggravate congestion. In order to solve this series of problems, RDMA technology emerged as the times require.

What is RDMA?

RDMA (Remote Direct Memory Access) is an advanced technology designed to reduce the latency associated with server-side data processing during network transfers. Allowing user-level applications to directly read from and write to remote memory without involving the CPU in multiple memory copies, RDMA bypasses the kernel and writes data directly to the network card. This achieves high throughput, ultra-low latency, and minimal CPU overhead. Presently, RDMA’s transport protocol over Ethernet is RoCEv2 (RDMA over Converged Ethernet v2). RoCEv2, a connectionless protocol based on UDP (User Datagram Protocol), is faster and consumes fewer CPU resources compared to the connection-oriented TCP (Transmission Control Protocol).

Building Lossless Network with RDMA

The RDMA networks achieve lossless transmission through the deployment of PFC and ECN functionalities. PFC technology controls RDMA-specific queue traffic on the link, applying backpressure to upstream devices during congestion at the switch’s ingress port. With ECN technology, end-to-end congestion control is achieved by marking packets during congestion at the egress port, prompting the sending end to reduce its transmission rate.

Optimal network performance is achieved by adjusting buffer thresholds for ECN and PFC, ensuring faster triggering of ECN than PFC. This allows the network to maintain full-speed data forwarding while actively reducing the server’s transmission rate to address congestion.

Accelerating Cluster Performance with GPU Direct-RDMA

The traditional TCP network heavily relies on CPU processing for packet management, often struggling to fully utilize available bandwidth. Therefore, in HPC environments, RDMA has become an indispensable network transfer technology, particularly during large-scale cluster training. It surpasses high-performance network transfers in user space data stored in CPU memory and contributes to GPU transfers within GPU clusters across multiple servers. And the Direct-RDMA technology is a key component in optimizing HPC performance, and NVIDIA enhances the performance of GPU clusters by supporting the function of GPU Direct-RDMA.

Streamlining RDMA Product Selection

In building high-performance RDMA networks, essential elements like RDMA adapters and powerful servers are necessary, but success also hinges on critical components such as high-speed optical modules, switches, and optical cables. As a leading provider of high-speed data transmission solutions, FS offers a diverse range of top-quality products, including high-performance switches, 200/400/800G optical modules, smart network cards, and more. These are precisely designed to meet the stringent requirements of low-latency and high-speed data transmission.

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InfiniBand: Powering High-Performance Data Centers

Posted on February 3, 2024 by Admin

Driven by the booming development of cloud computing and big data, InfiniBand has become a key technology and plays a vital role at the core of the data center. But what exactly is InfiniBand technology? What attributes contribute to its widespread adoption? The following guide will answer your questions.

What is InfiniBand?

InfiniBand is an open industrial standard that defines a high-speed network for interconnecting servers, storage devices, and more. Moreover, it leverages point-to-point bidirectional links to enable seamless communication between processors located on different servers. It is compatible with various operating systems such as Linux, Windows, and ESXi.

InfiniBand Network Fabric

InfiniBand, built on a channel-based fabric, comprises key components like HCA (Host Channel Adapter), TCA (Target Channel Adapter), InfiniBand links (connecting channels, ranging from cables to fibers, and even on-board links), and InfiniBand switches and routers (integral for networking). Channel adapters, particularly HCA and TCA, are pivotal in forming InfiniBand channels, ensuring security and adherence to Quality of Service (QoS) levels for transmissions.

InfiniBand vs Ethernet

InfiniBand was developed to address data transmission bottlenecks in high-performance computing clusters. The primary differences with Ethernet lie in bandwidth, latency, network reliability, and more.

High Bandwidth and Low Latency

It provides higher bandwidth and lower latency, meeting the performance demands of large-scale data transfer and real-time communication applications.

RDMA Support

It supports Remote Direct Memory Access (RDMA), enabling direct data transfer between node memories. This reduces CPU overhead and improves transfer efficiency.

Scalability

The fabric allows for easy scalability by connecting a large number of nodes and supporting high-density server layouts. Additional InfiniBand switches and cables can expand network scale and bandwidth capacity.

High Reliability

InfiniBand FaInfiniBand Fabric incorporates redundant designs and fault isolation mechanisms, enhancing network availability and fault tolerance. Alternate paths maintain network connectivity in case of node or connection failures.

Conclusion

The InfiniBand network has undergone rapid iterations, progressing from SDR 10Gbps, DDR 20Gbps, QDR 40Gbps, FDR56Gbps, EDR 100Gbps, and now to HDR 200Gbps and NDR 400Gbps/800Gbps InfiniBand. For those considering deployment in their high-performance data centers, further details are available from FS.com.

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