Ethernet Alliance SC17 Demo Highlights Rich Solutions Portfolio For HPC

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Today the Ethernet Alliance released details of its SC17 multivendor interoperability demo. Showcasing technologies ranging from 25 Gigabit (25G) to 400 Gigabit (400G) Ethernet, the display highlights the Ethernet ecosystem’s unified efforts to give high-performance computing (HPC) designers with forward-looking solutions for creating custom-built HPC environments for today and tomorrow.

Ethernet continues to provide diverse choices and options for the HPC community. From component and cabling vendors, to server and switch makers, to test and measurement equipment providers, the Ethernet ecosystem is working in tandem to produce a rich portfolio of solutions that can be leveraged for custom-built HPC environments. And with its journey drawing to a close, the technologies supporting 400G are emerging, opening the path to a new generation of hyperscale computers,” said John D’Ambrosia, chairman, Ethernet Alliance; and senior principal engineer, Huawei. “The Ethernet Alliance SC17 demo shows the next Ethernet era is here, bringing with it technologies supporting today’s supercomputing needs, and laying out a roadmap for not just tomorrow, but tomorrow’s tomorrow.”

Ethernet remains a commanding presence in the supercomputing TOP500, representing some 40 percent of systems named to the list. As the overall performance of Ethernet continues to expand, it is moving toward servers supporting 10 Gigabit (10G), 25G, 40 Gigabit (40G), 50 Gigabit (50G), and 100 Gigabit (100G) speeds. The hyperscale architectures enabling high performance at a low cost-per-bit threshold offer HPC designers the flexibility and scalability necessary to construct custom-fit solutions while enjoying the robust reliability and advantages that Ethernet delivers.

The Ethernet Alliance SC17 demo reflects the commitment of the whole of the Ethernet ecosystem to providing the HPC market with an array of best-in-class solutions, from the component and system level, to test and measurement, and beyond. Incorporating copper and optical equipment encompassing servers, switches, NIC adapters, cabling, interconnects, and test and measurement solutions, the demo simulates a real-world HPC environment supporting Ethernet speeds of 1 Gigabit (1G) up to 100G; a variety of interfaces including 25/100G; and 50G optical and electrical signaling. Additionally, the display provides an advanced look at 400G, with a fully realized demonstration that includes network traffic generation, monitoring, analysis, and testing.

The organization’s multivendor interoperability SC17 exhibit features participants from across the Ethernet landscape. Among Ethernet Alliance member companies taking part in this year’s demo are Anritsu Corporation; Amphenol Corporation; Hitachi Ltd.; Intel Corporation; Mellanox Technologies, Ltd.; Teledyne LeCroy, Inc.; and TE Connectivity, Ltd..

Ethernet’s continued relevance and value to HPC will be explored in The Ethernet Portfolio for HPC SC17 Birds of a Feather session on Thursday, November 16, 2017, at 12:15pm MST. Led by Ethernet Alliance chair John D’Ambrosia, panelists Ran Almog, product manager, Mellanox Technologies; and Nathan Tracy, technologist and manager of industry standards, TE Connectivity, will explore key Ethernet solutions enabling development and deployment of the next generation of computing, networking, and storage.

To view the Ethernet Alliance live demo, please visit SC17 booth number #842.

See our complete coverage of SC17