In early high-performance computing (HPC) and AI training networks, InfiniBand, a high-speed, low-latency, proprietary networking technology initially gained popularity for its fast and efficient communication between servers and storage systems. Today, the open alternative Ethernet is gaining significant traction in the modern AI data center networking market and is expected to become the dominant technology.
While proprietary technologies like InfiniBand can bring advancements and innovation, they are expensive, charging premiums where competitive supply-and-demand markets can’t regulate costs. In addition, the talent pool of network professionals who can build and operate an Ethernet versus a proprietary InfiniBand network is massive, and a broad array of tools are available to manage such networks compared to InfiniBand technology, which is sourced primarily via Nvidia.
Next to IP, Ethernet is the world's most widely adopted networking technology. Ethernet has evolved to become faster, more reliable, and scalable, making it preferred for handling the high data throughput and low-latency requirements of AI applications. The progression to 800GbE and data center bridging (DCB) Ethernet enhancements enable high-capacity, low latency, and lossless data transmission, making Ethernet fabrics highly desirable for high-priority and mission-critical AI traffic.