Exclusive: Intel will develop smart network cards in Israel
December 22, 2019
Establishes a new development group that will operate from Haifa and Jerusalem development centers, to communication cards that load from server servers in the cloud and data centers. Is expected to compete with Melanox products, which is in the process of being merged with Annabydia
Pictured above: Intel Stratix 10 DX card, designed to support CPU overloading in data centers
Intel Global is setting up a new development group in Israel within the Data Center Group, which will focus on developing smart network cards (SmartNIC) for data centers and cloud infrastructure. That's how Techtime learned. The group operates from Intel's development centers in Haifa and Jerusalem and is still in the process of being established. The new group's products are expected to compete with some of Silicom's and Mellanox's products, which Intel apparently tried to purchase, but lost competition with Enbidia.
Network Interface Card (PCI) cards are PCIe cards that connect to the server or storage array, allowing them to connect to the data center's Ethernet network. Smart network cards are adapters that also divert some of the server's CPU load. Using a processor found on the card, the SmartNIC takes on additional tasks such as encryption and decryption, processing of TCP / IP and HTTP protocols, providing firewall services and the like.
Leading architectures: ASIC, FPGA and SoC
Generally, companies now implement smart network cards using three different architectures: ASIC, FPGA, or System-on-a-Chip. The ASIC-based card (dedicated chip) provides the best performance for the price and is easy to program, but its flexibility is limited to the functions that are pre-embedded in the design phase. An FPGA-based adapter card can support almost any function, but is more expensive and requires complex programming that takes a relatively long time.
SoC-based smart network cards include a core chip that incorporates both NIC and CPU. They are considered the best option: good performance, ease of performance, and easy programming. On the other hand, it is far more difficult to develop them. It is still unclear what kind of smart cards the Israeli team will focus on. However, Intel recently published a master architect work proposal for the SmartNIC card development project, which defines its role, including "setting, integrating, and implementing a processor within SoC components." In addition, he is required to have a high level of expertise in Intel processors or ARM processors.
On the other hand, after acquiring Altra in December 2015 for $ 16.7 billion, Intel also owns the most advanced FPGA technology on the market within the Programmable Solutions Group. Hence, it is unlikely to neglect the FPGA-based network cards market. Intel spokesman confirmed the news of the establishment of the new development group in Israel.
Important news for Silicom and Melanox
Establishment of the group at Intel is being made in parallel with the sale of Melanox to Nvidia. Melanox is one of the world's leading providers of SmartNIC cards for cloud infrastructure and data centers, providing the three options (ASIC, FPGA-based and SoC-based). In March 2019, the Melanox sale to Annabydia was signed for $ 6.9 billion.
During the months prior to the deal, there were many (unapproved or denied) news reports that Intel also participated in the price competition that was going on around the sale of Melanox. At the end of the week, Enbidia received the EU's approval for the deal. Silicom company from Kfar Saba is a strategic partner of Intel's programmable component group and is already developing smart network cards based on Intel's FPGA platforms.
Bottom line, Israel seems to be turning into a battlefield where Intel, Silicom and Melanox / Annabidia will compete for the smart network adapters market for cloud infrastructure and next-generation data centers.
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https://techtime.co.il/2019/12/22/intel-128/
December 22, 2019
Establishes a new development group that will operate from Haifa and Jerusalem development centers, to communication cards that load from server servers in the cloud and data centers. Is expected to compete with Melanox products, which is in the process of being merged with Annabydia
Pictured above: Intel Stratix 10 DX card, designed to support CPU overloading in data centers
Intel Global is setting up a new development group in Israel within the Data Center Group, which will focus on developing smart network cards (SmartNIC) for data centers and cloud infrastructure. That's how Techtime learned. The group operates from Intel's development centers in Haifa and Jerusalem and is still in the process of being established. The new group's products are expected to compete with some of Silicom's and Mellanox's products, which Intel apparently tried to purchase, but lost competition with Enbidia.
Network Interface Card (PCI) cards are PCIe cards that connect to the server or storage array, allowing them to connect to the data center's Ethernet network. Smart network cards are adapters that also divert some of the server's CPU load. Using a processor found on the card, the SmartNIC takes on additional tasks such as encryption and decryption, processing of TCP / IP and HTTP protocols, providing firewall services and the like.
Leading architectures: ASIC, FPGA and SoC
Generally, companies now implement smart network cards using three different architectures: ASIC, FPGA, or System-on-a-Chip. The ASIC-based card (dedicated chip) provides the best performance for the price and is easy to program, but its flexibility is limited to the functions that are pre-embedded in the design phase. An FPGA-based adapter card can support almost any function, but is more expensive and requires complex programming that takes a relatively long time.
SoC-based smart network cards include a core chip that incorporates both NIC and CPU. They are considered the best option: good performance, ease of performance, and easy programming. On the other hand, it is far more difficult to develop them. It is still unclear what kind of smart cards the Israeli team will focus on. However, Intel recently published a master architect work proposal for the SmartNIC card development project, which defines its role, including "setting, integrating, and implementing a processor within SoC components." In addition, he is required to have a high level of expertise in Intel processors or ARM processors.
On the other hand, after acquiring Altra in December 2015 for $ 16.7 billion, Intel also owns the most advanced FPGA technology on the market within the Programmable Solutions Group. Hence, it is unlikely to neglect the FPGA-based network cards market. Intel spokesman confirmed the news of the establishment of the new development group in Israel.
Important news for Silicom and Melanox
Establishment of the group at Intel is being made in parallel with the sale of Melanox to Nvidia. Melanox is one of the world's leading providers of SmartNIC cards for cloud infrastructure and data centers, providing the three options (ASIC, FPGA-based and SoC-based). In March 2019, the Melanox sale to Annabydia was signed for $ 6.9 billion.
During the months prior to the deal, there were many (unapproved or denied) news reports that Intel also participated in the price competition that was going on around the sale of Melanox. At the end of the week, Enbidia received the EU's approval for the deal. Silicom company from Kfar Saba is a strategic partner of Intel's programmable component group and is already developing smart network cards based on Intel's FPGA platforms.
Bottom line, Israel seems to be turning into a battlefield where Intel, Silicom and Melanox / Annabidia will compete for the smart network adapters market for cloud infrastructure and next-generation data centers.
Share via Whatsapp
https://techtime.co.il/2019/12/22/intel-128/
