Artificial Intelligence Infrastructure: The Collaboration Between Cisco and Nvidia

In a remarkable union, technology giants Cisco and Nvidia have taken their partnership to new heights, aiming to provide customers with integrated software and networking solutions that simplify the process of building AI-supportive infrastructures.

The primary objective of this collaboration is to emphasize the role of Ethernet networks in the field of artificial intelligence (AI) workloads within enterprises. By combining their expertise, both companies seek to offer innovative solutions that cater to the growing demands of AI infrastructure development.

Cisco’s global distribution network will be the platform through which Cisco Ethernet-based solutions, specifically designed for Nvidia, will be sold. Additionally, key partners will provide professional services and support to assist companies in implementing GPU clusters through Ethernet infrastructure.

One significant aspect of this partnership is the compatibility of the latest Nvidia Tensor Core GPUs with Cisco Unified Computing System (UCS) rack servers and blade systems. This includes the Cisco UCS X and UCS X Direct series, which are designed to handle AI workloads and manage substantial amounts of data in data centers and at the network edge.

The integrated package, set to be released in the second quarter, will feature Nvidia AI Enterprise software. This software not only provides pre-trained models and developer tools for ready-to-use AI solutions but also ensures seamless integration with Cisco software. For instance, integration with Cisco’s ThousandEyes Digital Experience Monitoring software enables AI-driven insights and automatic issue remediation between cloud and on-premises networks.

Frequently Asked Questions (FAQ):

1. What are the goals of the collaboration and agreement between Cisco and Nvidia?
The collaboration aims to boost the role of Ethernet networks in the field of artificial intelligence (AI) workloads within enterprises. The goal is to provide integrated software and networking solutions that will assist customers in building AI-supportive infrastructures more easily.

2. What Cisco solutions will be specifically sold for Nvidia?
Cisco Ethernet-based solutions, specifically designed for Nvidia, will be sold through Cisco’s global distribution network. These offerings will include professional services and support provided by key partners.

3. Which Cisco Unified Computing System (UCS) rack servers and blade systems will support the latest Nvidia Tensor Core GPUs?
The latest Nvidia Tensor Core GPUs will be available in Cisco UCS rack servers and blade systems, including the Cisco UCS X and UCS X Direct series. These products will cater to AI workloads and handling large amounts of data in data centers and at the network edge.

4. What software will be included in the integrated package?
The integrated package, set for release in the second quarter, will include Nvidia AI Enterprise software, featuring pre-trained models and developer tools for ready-to-use AI solutions.

5. What are the benefits of Cisco Validated Design (CVD)-validated reference architectures?
CVD-validated reference architectures enable easy deployment and management of AI clusters at any scale across a wide range of applications. This includes virtualized and containerized environments in both converged and hyperconverged options.

6. What integrations with other software are available in the integrated package?
The integrated package will also include integrations with other Cisco software, such as ThousandEyes Digital Experience Monitoring, which provides AI-driven insights and automatic issue remediation between the cloud and on-premises network.

Key Term Definitions:

– AI (dirbtinė intelektą) – tai kompiuterių ir mašinų galimybė atlikti užduotis, kurios paprastai reikalautų žmogaus intelekto, pvz., vaizdų atpažinimas, natūralių kalbų supratimas, sprendimų priėmimas ir mokymasis.