Mellanox Technologies began sampling its next-generation switch silicon — “SwitchX” with Virtual Protocol Interconnect (VPI) technology, providing scalability for up to 36-ports of FDR 56 Gbps InfiniBand or 40 Gigabit Ethernet. The switching fabric is aimed at convergence of LAN, SAN and IPC (Inter Processor Communications) service architectures.
The chip delivers more than 4 Tbps of non-blocking switching throughput while enabling new levels of protocol flexibility in the data center for server-to-server, server-to-storage or storage-to-storage connectivity.
SwitchX can operate as an InfiniBand switch or Ethernet switch (including Data Center Bridging – DCB) with extremely low-latency and power. It also includes integrated convergence technology for Fibre Channel NPIV gateways. It also allows flexible partitioning of the network into multiple management domains to support multi-tenancy and the delivery of an extensive array of network services over a common infrastructure.
“The new class of data centers requires lossless, high density, low power switching capabilities that removes bottlenecks, supports convergence and maximizes efficiency for the best return-on-investment,” said Eyal Waldman, chairman, president, and CEO of Mellanox Technologies. “SwitchX delivers on these requirements with best-in-class features and performance over both InfiniBand and Ethernet protocols for maximum flexibility. We are proud to provide the industry’s first 56Gb/s FDR InfiniBand and the highest density Ethernet switch, both in the same IC with SwitchX.”
The new SwitchX silicon leverages TSMC’s 40nm process technology.http://www.mellanox.com
- Mellanox Technologies recently completed its acquisition of Voltaire Ltd., a provider of scale-out data center fabrics, for $8.75 per share, or a total equity value of approximately $218 million ($176 million net of cash). Voltaire developed a family of server and storage fabric switches and advanced management software. These products are included in server and blade offerings from Bull, Fujitsu, HP, IBM, NEC and SGI. Founded in 1997, Voltaire is headquartered in Ra’anana, Israel and Chelmsford, Massachusetts.
Mellanox Technologies is a supplier of end-to-end connectivity solutions for servers and storage that optimize data center performance. The company is headquartered in Sunnyvale, California and Yokneam, Israel. The combined businesses currently have approximately 700 employees and achieved revenues of $217 million for the twelve months ended Sept. 30, 2010.