Ethernet Alliance Maps Out Ethernet’s Future In HPC at SC16

Print Friendly, PDF & Email

4nambh5tToday the Ethernet Alliance previewed their upcoming SC16 multi-vendor interoperability demo. A premier international conference for high-performance computing, networking, storage, and analysis, SC16 is an ideal backdrop for emphasizing Ethernet’s vital role in enabling supercomputing’s continued advancement and successful future.

Adding newly ratified speeds to high-performance computing environments achieves the goal of providing scalability and usability in and across multiple applications. Customers and applications that benefit from the next-generation 25/100 Gigabit Ethernet (GbE) high-speed interconnects may shift from or add to their 10/40GbE infrastructures to accommodate all necessary requirements in the enterprise,” said David J. Rodgers, Ethernet Alliance director; and senior product marketing manager, Teledyne LeCroy. “Seamless interoperability is key to any communication standard, as is stability, cost-effective deployment, and a robust supply chain to ensure longevity. The Ethernet Alliance’s SC16 multi-vendor interoperability demo not only reaffirms these values within the HPC community, but truly brings the Ethernet roadmap in to life.”

Driven by the popularity of 10/25/40/50 GbE servers and proven capabilities as a reliable storage medium, Ethernet remains HPC’s leading interconnect technology, representing 44 percent of the June 2016 TOP500 list of supercomputers. The Ethernet Alliance’s SC16 demo combines server, switch, testing, cabling, and optical equipment from a diverse array of vendors in a simulated real-world data center environment, and underscores Ethernet’s importance to HPC. Among technologies and equipment being showcased in the demo are copper and fiber cable assemblies; fiber trunks; and 1,10, 25, 40, 50, and 100GbE switches; and 25, 50, and 100GbE NIC adapters. Additionally, the demo features a 100GbE link between the Ethernet Alliance and California Institute of Technology (Caltech), depicting how a typical connection between different sites can be integrated in high-performance and other environments.

SC16Ethernet Alliance member companies taking part in and contributing equipment and technologies to the organization’s SC16 demo include Amphenol Corporation, Dell Technologies; Hitachi, Mellanox, TE Connectivity, and Teledyne LeCroy.

Ethernet’s continued evolution has helped it to achieve a long history of success in serving a broad range of existing and emerging HPC applications. The next-generation Ethernet-based HPC ecosystem is forming around 25/100GbE, which will open the door to the next era of HPC innovation,” said John D’Ambrosia, chairman, Ethernet Alliance; and senior principal engineer, Huawei. “Our SC16 demo highlights the multiple intertwined roadmaps of synergistic technologies that form the whole of the Ethernet ecosystem. As witnessed by its dominance in the industry segment of the TOP500, Ethernet’s unique ability to effortlessly harness the power of these combined elements, while still maintaining interoperability and a low cost-per-bit, make it the workhorse of the supercomputing world.”

To experience the Ethernet Alliance live demo, please visit booth #1101 on the SC16 expo floor.

See our complete coverage of SC16, which takes place Nov. 13-18 in Salt Lake City.