Switches 4 AI infra

1. NVIDIA/Mellanox

NVIDIA acquired Mellanox, a leader in high-performance interconnects, which is now integrated into NVIDIA’s networking solutions. Mellanox switches are renowned for their low latency and high throughput, making them ideal for AI workloads.

a. Mellanox Spectrum SN2700

  • Features:
  • Ports: Up to 64x 100GbE QSFP28 ports.
  • Throughput: Up to 5.12 Tbps.
  • Latency: Ultra-low latency suitable for HPC and AI.
  • Special Features: Supports advanced telemetry, programmable data planes with P4, and seamless integration with NVIDIA AI frameworks.
  • Use Case: Ideal for large-scale AI training clusters requiring high bandwidth and low latency.

b. Mellanox Spectrum SN2410

  • Features:
  • Ports: 16x 100GbE QSFP28 ports.
  • Throughput: 1.28 Tbps.
  • Latency: Low latency performance.
  • Special Features: Compact form factor, suitable for dense AI racks.
  • Use Case: Suitable for smaller AI deployments or as part of a larger leaf-spine topology in data centers.

c. Mellanox Quantum Series

  • Features:
  • Ports: Supports up to 400GbE and InfiniBand HDR ports.
  • Throughput: Extremely high throughput for demanding AI workloads.
  • Latency: Designed for sub-microsecond latency.
  • Use Case: High-end AI infrastructure requiring the utmost in performance and scalability.

2. Cisco Systems

Cisco offers a range of high-performance switches tailored for data centers and AI workloads, emphasizing reliability and extensive feature sets.

a. Cisco Nexus 93180YC-FX

  • Features:
  • Ports: 48x 1/10/25GbE SFP28 ports and 6x 40/100GbE QSFP28 uplinks.
  • Throughput: Up to 6.4 Tbps.
  • Latency: Optimized for low latency operations.
  • Special Features: Advanced telemetry, programmability with Cisco NX-OS, and integration with AI and machine learning frameworks.
  • Use Case: Suitable for both leaf and spine layers in a leaf-spine architecture supporting AI workloads.

b. Cisco Nexus 9500 Series

  • Features:
  • Ports: Modular with support for up to 32x 400GbE QSFP-DD ports.
  • Throughput: Scalable up to multi-Tbps per chassis.
  • Latency: Engineered for minimal latency.
  • Special Features: High availability, advanced automation, and extensive security features.
  • Use Case: Core spine switches in large AI data centers requiring massive scalability and high performance.

3. Arista Networks

Arista is known for its high-performance, programmable switches that are highly favored in cloud and AI environments.

a. Arista 7500R Series

  • Features:
  • Ports: Supports up to 400GbE and beyond with QSFP-DD and OSFP modules.
  • Throughput: Up to 36 Tbps per chassis.
  • Latency: Ultra-low latency design.
  • Special Features: Advanced programmability with eAPI, extensible VXLAN capabilities, and CloudVision for centralized management.
  • Use Case: Suitable for both spine and leaf roles in AI-optimized leaf-spine topologies, especially in large-scale deployments.

b. Arista 7280R Series

  • Features:
  • Ports: Flexible port configurations including 100GbE and 400GbE.
  • Throughput: High throughput suitable for data-intensive AI tasks.
  • Latency: Designed for low-latency environments.
  • Special Features: EOS (Extensible Operating System) for programmability, automation, and integration with AI workflows.
  • Use Case: Ideal for high-density leaf switches in AI data centers.

4. Juniper Networks

Juniper provides robust networking solutions with a focus on automation and scalability, essential for AI infrastructure.

a. Juniper QFX10002

  • Features:
  • Ports: Up to 64x 100GbE QSFP28 ports or 32x 200GbE QSFP56 ports.
  • Throughput: Up to 8 Tbps per chassis.
  • Latency: Low-latency performance optimized for high-performance computing.
  • Special Features: Supports Juniper’s Virtual Chassis technology, advanced routing protocols, and integration with AI management tools.
  • Use Case: Core spine switches in high-performance AI data centers.

b. Juniper QFX5100

  • Features:
  • Ports: 48x 10GbE SFP+ ports and 6x 40GbE QSFP+ uplinks.
  • Throughput: Up to 1.28 Tbps.
  • Latency: Optimized for low-latency data transfers.
  • Special Features: Virtual Chassis Fabric support, automation-friendly with Junos OS.
  • Use Case: Leaf switches in AI-optimized leaf-spine architectures.

5. Hewlett Packard Enterprise (HPE) / Aruba

HPE offers high-performance networking solutions through its Aruba brand, focusing on flexibility and scalability.

a. Aruba 8400 Series

  • Features:
  • Ports: Modular with support for high-speed Ethernet, including 100GbE and 400GbE options.
  • Throughput: Extremely high, suitable for large-scale AI deployments.
  • Latency: Designed for minimal latency in high-performance environments.
  • Special Features: ArubaOS-CX for advanced automation and analytics, integrated security features.
  • Use Case: Spine switches in large AI data centers requiring high scalability and performance.

b. Aruba 8320 Series

  • Features:
  • Ports: Flexible port configurations with support for 10GbE, 25GbE, and 40GbE.
  • Throughput: High throughput tailored for data center needs.
  • Latency: Low-latency optimized.
  • Special Features: Advanced automation capabilities, integration with HPE’s networking ecosystem.
  • Use Case: Leaf switches in AI-focused leaf-spine topologies.

6. Dell Technologies

Dell EMC provides a range of switches under its PowerSwitch portfolio, designed for performance and scalability.

a. Dell EMC PowerSwitch Z9264F-ON

  • Features:
  • Ports: 64x 100GbE QSFP28 ports.
  • Throughput: Up to 6.4 Tbps.
  • Latency: Low-latency switching optimized for HPC and AI.
  • Special Features: Runs on Dell’s OS10, offering programmability and automation features.
  • Use Case: Spine switches in high-performance AI data centers.

b. Dell EMC PowerSwitch S5248F-ON

  • Features:
  • Ports: 48x 25GbE SFP28 and 6x 100GbE QSFP28 ports.
  • Throughput: Up to 3.2 Tbps.
  • Latency: Optimized for low-latency requirements.
  • Special Features: Open networking with support for various operating systems, automation-friendly.
  • Use Case: Leaf switches in AI-optimized network architectures.

7. Extreme Networks

Extreme Networks offers high-performance switches with a focus on flexibility and programmability, suitable for AI infrastructures.

a. Extreme SLX Series

  • Features:
  • Ports: High-density 100GbE and 400GbE port configurations.
  • Throughput: Scalable up to multiple Tbps per chassis.
  • Latency: Engineered for low-latency operations.
  • Special Features: Advanced automation capabilities, integration with ExtremeCloud IQ for centralized management.
  • Use Case: Spine and leaf switches in scalable AI data centers.

b. Extreme Summit X670

  • Features:
  • Ports: Modular with support for high-speed Ethernet ports.
  • Throughput: High throughput tailored for demanding AI workloads.
  • Latency: Low-latency switching optimized for real-time AI applications.
  • Special Features: Programmable with Extreme’s XOS, robust security features.
  • Use Case: Core switches in AI-optimized network topologies.

8. Huawei

Huawei provides high-performance networking solutions with a strong presence in global data centers.

a. Huawei CloudEngine 16800 Series

  • Features:
  • Ports: Supports up to 400GbE QSFP-DD ports.
  • Throughput: Extremely high throughput for large-scale AI deployments.
  • Latency: Designed for minimal latency in high-performance environments.
  • Special Features: Integrated AI for network management, advanced virtualization features.
  • Use Case: Spine switches in expansive AI data center architectures.

b. Huawei CloudEngine 12800 Series

  • Features:
  • Ports: High-density 100GbE and 400GbE options.
  • Throughput: Scalable to meet extensive AI workload demands.
  • Latency: Optimized for low-latency data transfers.
  • Special Features: Supports advanced routing protocols, automation, and orchestration.
  • Use Case: Leaf switches in AI-optimized leaf-spine topologies.

Key Considerations When Selecting Switches for AI Infrastructure

  1. High Bandwidth and Throughput:
  • AI workloads, especially distributed training, require substantial bandwidth. Opt for switches that support high-speed ports (100GbE, 200GbE, 400GbE).
  1. Low Latency:
  • Minimizing latency is critical for real-time AI applications. Ensure switches are optimized for low-latency operations.
  1. Scalability:
  • Choose switches that can easily scale with your growing AI infrastructure, supporting additional ports and higher speeds as needed.
  1. Programmability and Automation:
  • Programmable switches with support for APIs and automation tools (e.g., Cisco’s NX-OS, Arista’s EOS, Juniper’s Junos) facilitate easier management and integration with AI workflows.
  1. Support for Advanced Interconnects:
  • If leveraging technologies like InfiniBand or RDMA over Ethernet, ensure switches are compatible and support these protocols to maximize GPU communication efficiency.
  1. Integration with AI Frameworks:
  • Some switches offer features or integrations that are specifically optimized for AI workloads, enhancing performance and ease of deployment.
  1. Reliability and Redundancy:
  • High availability features, such as redundant power supplies and failover capabilities, ensure uninterrupted AI operations.

Conclusion

Selecting the right network switches is pivotal for building an efficient and high-performing AI infrastructure. The models listed above from leading vendors like NVIDIA/Mellanox, Cisco, Arista, Juniper, HPE/Aruba, Dell, Extreme Networks, and Huawei offer the necessary features to support direct GPU connections, ensuring high bandwidth, low latency, and scalability required for AI workloads. When choosing switches, consider your specific AI application requirements, future scalability needs, and the interoperability with your existing infrastructure to make an informed decision.

If you need further assistance in selecting the appropriate switch model based on your specific AI infrastructure requirements, feel free to provide more details, and I can offer more tailored recommendations.