- NVIDIA Connectx-8 presents a GPU-inspired design for networks
- Connectx-8 offers an impressive performance capacity of 800 Gbps
- Requires Pcie Gen6 X16 for optimal performance
Nvidia has presented the Connectx-8 Supernic, a new card that has a capacity of 800 Gbps, doubling the 400 Gbps recorded for its predecessor.
The design of this card is a deviation from conventional network interface cards (NICS), since it looks more like traditional GPUs, with the Connectx-8 apparently ready to focus on improving air flow and cooling efficiency With its low profile design, posterior and internal advanced plaque. provision.
This device also comes with a large connector on the back, which suggests the potential for multiple host cable connections, possibly linking additional CPUs or functioning as a PCIe switch output.
Multi-Host connections and flexibility
The Connectx-8 Supernic is a single-port card that offers a high bandwidth that requires advanced PCIE connectivity.
Specifically, it requires PCIe Gen6 X16 or two Gen5 X16 links to function effectively, suggesting that card performance exceeds what a single CPU can handle. This capacity is aligned with the need for robust connectivity on the Grace of Nvidia platforms, where the Connectx-8 serves as a critical component for auxiliary connections due to the limitations of the Grace CPU.
When integrating these nic, Nvidia minimizes the dependence on Broadcom products, improving the efficiency and flexibility of the system.
Unlike the oldest NIC designs that generally have bulky heat dissipators and a more utilitarian aesthetic, the Connectx-8 shows an elegant posterior plate and a general factor that reminds of modern GPUs.
The introduction of the Connectx-8 does not seem to simply be of aesthetics, since it suggests that NVIDIA has a broader vision for AI infrastructure. By aligning its network products with GPU -like designs, the company is probably aimed at rationalizing its integration into data centers while offering essential high performance capabilities for AI workloads.
