Last week, we got a preview of Microsoft's Azure production-ready NVIDIA "Blackwell" GB200 system, showing that only a third of the rack that goes in the data center is actually holding the compute elements, with the other two-thirds holding the cooling compartment to cool down the immense heat output from tens of GB200 GPUs. Today, Google is showing off a part of its own infrastructure ahead of the Google Cloud App Dev & Infrastructure Summit, taking place on October 30, digitally as an event. Shown below are two racks standing side by side, connecting NVIDIA "Blackwell" GB200 NVL cards with the rest of the Google infrastructure. Unlike Microsoft Azure, Google Cloud uses a different data center design in its facilities.

There is one rack with power distribution units, networking switches, and cooling distribution units, all connected to the compute rack, which houses power supplies, GPUs, and CPU servers. Networking equipment is present, and it connects to Google's "global" data center network, which is Google's own data center fabric. We are not sure what is the fabric connection of choice between these racks; as for optimal performance, NVIDIA recommends InfiniBand (Mellanox acquisition). However, given that Google's infrastructure is set up differently, there may be Ethernet switches present. Interestingly, Google's design of GB200 racks differs from Azure's, as it uses additional rack space to distribute the coolant to its local heat exchangers, i.e., coolers. We are curious to see if Google releases more information on infrastructure, as it has been known as the infrastructure king because of its ability to scale and keep everything organized.

With Industry 4.0, the rapid rise of Artificial Intelligence (AI), digitized manufacturing and the age of IoT everything, the demand for wireless connectivity in commercial and industrial applications is growing at an exceptional pace. These applications typically require reliable connectivity that can withstand extreme environments that are exposed to high temperatures, background noise and obstructions. To help meet this need, Microchip Technology has added 20 products to its Wi-Fi portfolio. Expanding one of the industry's most extensive wireless connectivity product lines, Microchip offers high-performance Wi-Fi microcontrollers (MCUs), network and link controllers and plug-and-play modules designed to simplify development and speed time to market.

The company's Wi-Fi solutions are designed to support various application needs and developer skill levels. The selection ranges from modules that are regulatory certified in several countries that require no Radio Frequency (RF) expertise and little programming to robust Systems-on-Chip (SoCs) with industrial-level features.

Marvell Technology, Inc. (NASDAQ: MRVL), a leader in data infrastructure semiconductor solutions, today announced the development of FBNIC, a custom 5 nm network interface controller (NIC) ASIC in collaboration with Meta to meet the company's infrastructure and use case requirements. The FBNIC board design will also be contributed by Marvell to the Open Compute Project (OCP) community. FBNIC combines a customized network controller designed by Marvell and Meta, a co-designed board, and Meta's ASIC, firmware and software. This custom design delivers innovative capabilities, optimizes performance, increases efficiencies, and reduces the average time needed to resolve potential network and server issues.

"The future of large-scale, data center computing will increasingly revolve around optimizing semiconductors and other components for specific applications and cloud infrastructure architectures," said Raghib Hussain, President of Products and Technologies at Marvell. "It's been exciting to partner with Meta on developing their custom FBNIC on our industry-leading 5 nm accelerated infrastructure silicon platform. We look forward to the OCP community leveraging the board design for future innovations."

Realtek Semiconductor will participate in Network X 2024 (October 08~10, 2024), an event being held in Paris, France, that will bring together over five thousand people from all over the world to include senior network infrastructure and service professionals from telcos, leading vendors, industry bodies, governments, analysts, and media to showcase the latest trending products, solutions, and services. Realtek will exhibit its highly integrated 2.5G Ethernet switch solutions and complete xPON broadband solutions to meet various bandwidth application needs.

Highly Integrated 2.5G Ethernet Switch Solution
With breakthroughs in large language model technology, generative AI has ushered in a new era of AI applications. The demand for AI applications is no longer confined to high-end cloud applications but has extended from the cloud to edge computing and is becoming increasingly widespread. Consequently, the high bandwidth requirements at the edge have become more critical. Currently, edge network speeds commonly use 1GbE. To address the growing bandwidth demands of AI applications, Realtek has developed a 2.5G Ethernet switch solution that integrates various technologies to provide 2.5GbE downstream bandwidth and 10GbE upstream bandwidth. This solution is designed to support future AI-enabled endpoint devices, such as AI PCs and AI notebooks, to meet their high bandwidth needs. Additionally, this 2.5G Ethernet switch solution can be used in Wi-Fi 6 and Wi-Fi 7 wireless routers, supporting high bandwidth applications to meet user demands for high bandwidth at the edge in AI applications.

TCL, a pioneer in display across feature-rich smartphones, tablets, and connected devices, today showcased its latest 5G AI CPE device and 5G RedCap Family products at the Broadband World Forum 2024, part of Network X, held from 8-10 October in Paris, France. The event featured the AI-driven 5G CPE TCL LINKHUB 5G HH516, a device enhancing user experiences with advanced AI technology, and the TCL LINKPORT IK511, the industry's first 5G RedCap USB Dongle for consumer & M2M scenarios. These recent releases highlight TCL router's commitment to 'Connect the Unconnected and Create Seamless Connection' by leveraging its technological prowess and supporting global 5G adoption with a diverse range of products.

"With over two decades of experience in cellular technology, TCL continues to forge paths in 5G connectivity by broadening access to advanced network technologies through our innovative product offerings," said Jesse Wu, General Manager of Smart Connected Device Business Unit at TCL. "Entering the 5G RedCap market is a strategic move to address the burgeoning demand for enhanced 5G capabilities in a variety of consumer and industrial applications."

Qualcomm Technologies, Inc., a global leader in wireless technology innovation, today announced the launch of the Qualcomm Networking Pro A7 Elite, a groundbreaking wireless networking platform set to transform how people will experience their networks with edge AI integration. Leveraging an AI co-processor with 40 TOPS of NPU processing power, the platform delivers elevated Wi-Fi 7 connectivity and networking performance, while also equipping connected devices with powerful and centralized generative AI processing capabilities.

This transformative integration of computing power into the network unlocks opportunities for operators and enterprises to deploy innovative applications and services in areas such as security and surveillance, energy management and automation, personalized virtual assistants, aging in place and health monitoring among others. Edge AI can enhance privacy by processing sensitive information on the gateway, while enabling personalization through contextualized understanding of the environment and immediacy through near real-time responses. This approach unlocks the power of advanced AI for more devices, even legacy ones, enabling a more reliable and harmonized user experience across connected devices.

Edimax announces the launch of the D4G-7459AC Industrial 4G LTE AC1200 Wi-Fi router, designed to provide robust connectivity in the most challenging environments. Capable of operating in temperatures ranging from -20°C to 70°C, this router offers a reliable alternative to fixed broadband, ensuring continuous internet access in areas where traditional connections are not feasible. By simply inserting a SIM card, businesses can instantly connect to the 4G LTE network, offering a vital link for industries that demand round-the-clock performance.

The D4G-7459AC is built with industrial users in mind, featuring a rugged design suitable for harsh conditions and a flexible installation process. Its inclusion of the EC25 solution (Qualcomm MDM9207) underscores its commitment to reliability, delivering steady performance for critical applications. With high-speed wireless and wired internet capabilities, this router serves a broad spectrum of industries, including smart factories, mobile units, and areas needing rapid, temporary connectivity solutions.

NETGEAR, Inc., a leading provider of innovative and secure solutions for people to connect and manage their digital lives, today expanded its Nighthawk WiFi 7 standalone router line to include the new RS600, RS500, and RS200. The lineup of Nighthawk routers is built on the company's promise to deliver the latest WiFi 7 technology combined with powerful WiFi performance and secure connectivity for homes of any size.

Powerful, Secure WiFi 7 for Everyone
Since the launch of NETGEAR's first WiFi 7 offering - Nighthawk RS700S - multi-gig internet speeds have become more accessible and affordable, and IoT devices that require extreme low latency and higher throughput continue to be adopted at high rates. WiFi 7, which is 2.4x faster than WiFi 6, offers enhanced performance to address the ever-growing demands of modern connectivity. This next-generation technology supports increased capacity across multiple connected smart home devices, providing faster speeds, near-zero latency and the ability to handle the demands of high-quality video streaming as well as advanced computing, including AI-driven applications and AR/VR experiences.

Zyxel Networks, a leader in delivering secure, AI-powered cloud networking solutions, has launched a new Power-over-Ethernet extender, designed to help organizations overcome network deployment challenges over long distances and power limitations.

Suitable for indoor or outdoor use, the PoE12-3PD is a cloud-managed device that enhances network flexibility for small and medium-sized businesses (SMBs) and managed service providers (MSPs), making it easy for them to provide extended network connectivity to cover larger outdoor areas, across large internal floor spaces, in historical buildings, or over extended ranges without sufficient power outlets.

Airvine, the first company to develop a multi-Gigabit-speed wireless backhaul system for indoor connectivity, today announced the general availability of its WaveCore product line. Designed to eliminate the expensive and time-consuming drilling required when confronting concrete barriers (which includes labor, permitting and inspections) to link areas with Ethernet cabling, the WaveCore system consists of a simple point to point bridge with two nodes, measuring 10.1" x 2.7" x 10.3", that are installed one on each side of a concrete wall or floor / ceiling.

The WaveCore is a PTP (point-to-point) layer 2 Ethernet bridge that operates on PoE (power over Ethernet) or a 12 V DC input. Testing with select customers earlier this year has shown results such as a 3 Gbps connection through 8" of concrete in the middle of a 54-foot link and a 4 Gbps connection through a 12" concrete wall in a garage that was in the middle of a 6-foot link.

ASUSTOR Inc. today launched the nine-port hybrid 10GbE/2.5GbE Switch'nstor 9 Gen 2 which has eight 2.5-Gigabit Ethernet ports and a 10GbE port using SFP+ for NAS devices. Attach an ASUSTOR 10-Gigabit-Ethernet-Enabled NAS to give up to four clients full-speed access at 2.5-Gigabit Ethernet speeds without bottlenecks which improves the work efficiency of content creators and enterprises.

Not only can up to four clients receive full 2.5-Gigabit Ethernet performance when attaching a 10-Gigabit Ethernet ASUSTOR NAS to the switch, but the flexibility of 2.5-Gigabit Ethernet ports also allows for eight clients to connect at above-Gigabit performance for maximum efficiency. In addition to high speeds, the Switch'nstor 9 Gen 2 has numerous convenience features like its ability to be mounted on a wall, its fanless design ensures silence, and its 12 Watt hours of power consumption ensures it saves money over the long run which makes the Switch'nstor 9 Gen 2 especially suitable for team collaboration, home entertainment, small businesses and families.

Demonstrating the depth and breadth of its technologies at Hot Chips 2024, Intel showcased advancements across AI use cases - from the data center, cloud and network to the edge and PC - while covering the industry's most advanced and first-ever fully integrated optical compute interconnect (OCI) chiplet for high-speed AI data processing. The company also unveiled new details about the Intel Xeon 6 SoC (code-named Granite Rapids-D), scheduled to launch during the first half of 2025.

"Across consumer and enterprise AI usages, Intel continuously delivers the platforms, systems and technologies necessary to redefine what's possible. As AI workloads intensify, Intel's broad industry experience enables us to understand what our customers need to drive innovation, creativity and ideal business outcomes. While more performant silicon and increased platform bandwidth are essential, Intel also knows that every workload has unique challenges: A system designed for the data center can no longer simply be repurposed for the edge. With proven expertise in systems architecture across the compute continuum, Intel is well-positioned to power the next generation of AI innovation." -Pere Monclus, chief technology officer, Network and Edge Group at Intel.

NETGEAR, Inc., the leading provider of networking products that power businesses of any size, announced the launch of the WBE710 Insight Manageable Tri-band WiFi 7 Access Point, the newest addition to the company's WiFi 7 business access point lineup.

The number of devices with multi-gig capabilities is increasing, and upgrades to a business's network must be made to meet the volume of data. As businesses scale and more WiFi 7-enabled devices enter the market, this need will only continue to become more critical. Based on the latest WiFi 7 technology, the WBE710 improves data throughput across multiple bands and reduces network congestion, surpassing older access points in speed, latency, and capacity. The access point will also solve issues around signal interference with preamble puncturing, which will soon be available, and will allow devices to use parts of different channels to transmit data, greatly reducing network congestion.

Marvell Technology, Inc., a leader in data infrastructure semiconductor solutions, today launched the Marvell Structera product line of Compute Express Link (CXL) devices that enable cloud data center operators to overcome memory performance and scaling challenges in general-purpose servers.

To address memory-intensive applications, data center operators add extra servers to get higher memory bandwidth and higher memory capacity. The compute capabilities from the added processors are typically not utilized for these applications, making the servers inefficient from cost and power perspectives. The CXL industry standard addresses this challenge by enabling new architectures that can efficiently add memory to general-purpose servers.

D-Link Corporation, a global leader in networking solutions, proudly announces the launch of its cutting-edge G530 5G NR AX3000 Wi-Fi 6 router. This advanced router empowers users to harness the full potential of 5G technology by using a mobile carrier's SIM card to deliver high-speed 5G connectivity through a robust Wi-Fi 6 network. Engineered with the renowned MIT (Made in Taiwan) quality assurance, the G530 provides a fast, reliable, and flexible networking solution ideal for homes, offices, remote sites, and temporary setups where traditional wired connections are limited or unavailable.

Ultra-Fast Speed
The G530 unlocks the next generation of connectivity, offering 5G speeds of up to 3.4 Gbps and Wi-Fi 6 capabilities reaching AX3000. Leveraging Wi-Fi 6 technology, the G530 expands Wi-Fi bandwidth to 160 MHz and incorporates bi-directional MU-MIMO and OFDMA technologies, enhancing data rates and reducing latency for multiple users and devices. Whether users are gaming online, streaming 4K/8K content, participating in conference calls, or downloading large files, the G530 ensures a seamless, high-speed connection without lag.

MSI is excited to introduce the MS-C907, a robust and versatile embedded Box IPC designed to meet the demanding requirements of various industries. Beyond its suitability for the chemical industry, the MS-C907 is ideal for applications in factory automation, transportation, digital signage and retail.

Meeting the Needs of Multiple Industries
The MS-C907 offers robust performance, extensive connectivity, and durable design, making it an ideal solution for a wide range of industrial applications. Whether it's automating factory processes, powering digital signage, or managing smart building systems, the MS-C907 provides the reliability and efficiency needed for continuous operation.

Cornelis Networks, a leading independent provider of intelligent, high-performance networking solutions, today announced the appointment of Lisa Spelman as its new chief executive officer (CEO), effective August 15. Spelman joins Cornelis from Intel Corporation, where she held executive leadership roles for more than two decades, including leading the company's core data center business. Spelman will succeed Philip Murphy, who will assume the role of president and chief operating officer (COO).

"Cornelis is unique in having the products, roadmap, and talent to help customers address this issue. I look forward to joining the team to bring their innovations to even more organizations around the globe."

ASUS today announced availability of the ZenWiFi BQ16 Pro and ZenWiFi BT10, premium Wi-Fi 7 mesh systems that feature powerful 6 GHz Wi-Fi and whose 2-pack versions offer speeds of up to 30 Gbps (BQ16 Pro) and coverage of up to 8,000 square feet (2-pack BQ16 Pro). Dual 10 Gbps Ethernet ports enable future-ready 10 Gbps Internet and 10 Gbps wired backhaul for fast, stable, and seamless whole home Wi-Fi for next-gen smart home entertainment and home studio productivity.

The ZenWiFi BQ16 Pro and ZenWiFi BT10 boast exclusive ASUS Smart AiMesh technology to intelligently harness WiFi 7 Multi-Link Operation (MLO) and AI for both fronthaul and backhaul, Multi-Link Operation—automatically aggregating or switching across multiple bands for minimized latency and efficient transmission. By leveraging MLO, Smart AiMesh MLO backhaul automatically switches to the fastest band while its fronthaul also intelligently prioritizes demanding packets for max connectivity and efficiency. Smart AiMesh also empowers loads of advanced network features such as security, parental controls, and VPNs in the extendable network while offering full compatibility with all ASUS AiMesh-compatible ZenWiFi and standalone routers.

TP-Link, a leading global provider of consumer and business networking products, today announced availability of the highly anticipated, 2023 CES Innovation Award Honoree, Archer GE800 BE19000 Tri-Band Wi-Fi 7 Gaming Router. Designed for gaming enthusiasts, the Archer GE800 sets the stage for a new era of gaming performance with jaw-dropping tri-band speeds of up to 19 Gbps†, two 10 Gbps ports, and game-acceleration features that redefine gaming experiences.

The Archer GE800 is the ultimate choice for power-players seeking to elevate their gaming experience with revolutionary Wi-Fi 7 technology. With advanced capabilities like reduced latency and enhanced stability, Wi-Fi 7 creates a superior gaming environment for a more responsive and immersive experience. Offering Wi-Fi speeds of up to 19 Gbps across three bands and 12 streams, supported by dual 10 Gbps and quad 2.5 Gbps wired ports, every device receives unparalleled bandwidth.

At Computex, Realtek was showing off a new 5 Gbps switch platform which is set to bring much more affordable high-speed Ethernet switches to the consumer market. At the core of the new switch platform sits Realtek's RTL9303 which is an eight port 10 Gbps switch controller. This was released a few years ago as a low cost 10 Gbps switch IC, but as it still required third party PHYs, it never really took off. The RTL9303 is built around an 800 MHz MIPS 34Kc CPU and supports up to 1 GB of DDR3 RAM as well as 64 MB of SPI NOR Flash for the firmware.

When combined with Realtek's RTL8251B 5 Gbps PHY, the end result is a comparably low-cost 5 Gbps switch. According to Ananadtech, Realtek is expecting a US$25 price per port, which is only about $10 more per port than your typical 2.5 Gbps switch today, even though some are as little as US$10 per port. When combined with a Realtek RTL8126 PCIe based 5 Gbps NIC which retails from around US$30, 5 Gbps Ethernet looks like a very sensible option in terms of price/performance. Admittedly 2.5 Gbps Ethernet cards can be had for as little as $13, but they started out at a higher price point compared to what 5 Gbps NICs are already selling for. Meanwhile, 10 Gbps NICs are still stuck at around US$80-90, with switches in most cases costing at least US$45 per port, but often a lot more. 5 Gbps Ethernet also has the advantage of being able to operate on CAT 5e cabling at up to 60 metres and CAT 6 cabling at up 100 metres, which means there's no need to replace older cabling to benefit from it.

NETGEAR, Inc., the leading provider of innovative and secure solutions for people to connect and manage their digital lives, today expanded its WiFi 7 mesh and standalone router lines with the new Orbi 770 Tri-band Mesh System and Nighthawk RS300 Router. NETGEAR's most affordable WiFi 7 products to date build on the company's promise to provide powerful WiFi performance and secure connectivity.

WiFi 7 Changes the Game
WiFi 7 unlocks 2.4 times faster speeds than WiFi 6, delivers low latency and better handles WiFi interference for families to seamlessly enjoy next gen 4K/8K streaming, video conferencing, gaming, and more. Since the launch of NETGEAR's first WiFi 7 offerings - Nighthawk RS700 and Orbi 970 - multi-gig internet speeds have become more affordable, work from home demands have remained steady, and more devices such as AR/VR headsets or AI-focused platforms like CoPilot+ have been introduced that require extreme low latency and higher throughput.

MSI is showcasing its Roamii WiFi 7 mesh system at COMPUTEX 2024. Made to handle the increasing number of WiFi 7-supported devices and AI-accelerated applications arriving in 2024 and beyond, the Roamii series, with an integrated Qualcomm Immersive Home series, will be ready to bring an ultra-fast, easily managed WiFi network with 24/7 security protection throughout your home.

The Ultimate WiFi 7 Mesh System for Seamless Home Connectivity
MSI's newest WiFi 7 mesh system, the Roamii series, supports speeds of up to 21 Gbps thanks to extra-wide 320 MHz channels that double the bandwidth. The Qualcomm Immersive Home platform's powerful CPU drives advanced WiFi features, including 4K-QAM, Multi-RU, and MLO (Multi-Link Operation), across a mesh system that is designed to ensure its users experience seamless and uninterrupted internet access throughout their homes. Furthermore, a robust 10 Gbps wired connection is included, making Roamii series a great addition to a blazing fast home network.

ASUS Republic of Gamers (ROG) today announced the ROG Rapture GT-BE19000 tri-band WiFi 7 gaming router at Computex 2024. This next-generation powerhouse is designed to dominate gaming and computing experiences with ultra-fast tri-band WiFi 7 speeds of up to 19 Gbps, innovative features like Automatic Frequency Coordination, and comprehensive wired and wireless network functions.

Next-gen WiFi power
The ASUS ROG Rapture GT-BE19000 router boasts ultra-fast wireless speeds of up to 19 Gbps, thanks to innovative WiFi 7 features like 320 MHz channels, 4096-QAM, and Multi-Link Operation. It is the world's first gaming router with Automatic Frequency Coordination. AFC automatically checks the WiFi environment and chooses the least congested channel in the 6 GHz band, boosting peak transmit power by up to 63 times higher than Low Power Indoor networking devices. The GT-BE19000 also provides up to 31 Gbps of wired capacity, including dual 10 Gb Ethernet and quad 2.5 Gb Ethernet ports, ensuring strong, stable connections for building a robust local network in the new era of AI.

Zyxel Networks, a leader in delivering secure, AI-powered cloud networking solutions, has announced the launch of its USG LITE 60AX - an AX6000 WiFi 6 security router - an all-in-one unified security gateway appliance designed for small to medium businesses (SMBs), teleworkers and managed service providers (MSPs).

Providing uncompromising, subscription-free protection against online threats, fast WiFi connectivity and effortless cloud management, the USG LITE 60AX also sets an industry-leading standard for eco-friendliness, with a casing that is 95%-made from post-consumer recycled (PCR) plastic. This delivers an 81% reduction in CO2 emissions compared to ABS plastic. Zyxel Networks has also used 100% halogen-free, soy-based inks in all packaging and with a 40% reduction in the volume of packaging used, shipment is made easier, meaning less waste and supporting businesses in achieving their sustainability goals.

AMD, Broadcom, Cisco, Google, Hewlett Packard Enterprise (HPE), Intel, Meta and Microsoft today announced they have aligned to develop a new industry standard dedicated to advancing high-speed and low latency communication for scale-up AI systems linking in Data Centers.

Called the Ultra Accelerator Link (UALink), this initial group will define and establish an open industry standard that will enable AI accelerators to communicate more effectively. By creating an interconnect based upon open standards, UALink will enable system OEMs, IT professionals and system integrators to create a pathway for easier integration, greater flexibility and scalability of their AI-connected data centers.