06 July 2017

Spectrum-2 is said to be the first 200 and 400GbE switch that provides adaptive routing and load balancing while guaranteeing zero packet loss.

Mellanox Technologies has launched what’s claimed to be the world’s most scalable 200Gb and 400Gb open Ethernet switch.

It boasts that the new Spectrum-2 is designed to “set new records” of data centre scalability, outperforming rivals by more than 10 times, and reduces data centre operational costs by delivering 1.3 times better power efficiency.

When asked how the new switch compares to the latest models released by the likes of Cisco, Nokia (Bell Labs) or HPE, Mellanox CEO Eyal Waldman said some of these companies actually use his firm’s products in their offerings. 

Spectrum-2 provides connectivity for up to 16 ports of 400GbE, 32 ports of 200GbE, 64 ports of 100GbE, and 128 ports of 50GbE and 25GbE.

It is said to be the first 400G and 200G Ethernet switch that provides adaptive routing and load balancing while guaranteeing zero packet loss and unconditional port performance. 

According to Mellanox, these capabilities enable predictable and highest network performance. 

Furthermore, its says Spectrum-2 doubles data capacity while providing the lowest latency (300 nanoseconds) – that’s claimed to be 1.4 times lower than alternative offerings. 

The new devicemaintains the same API as its predecessor for porting software onto the ASIC via the Open SDK/SAI API or Linux upstream driver (Switchdev). 

Mellanox said it implements a complete set of the network protocols within its ASIC in the “most efficient way”, providing users with all the functionality needed, out-of-box. 

It adds that all of the standard network operating systems and interfaces are supported, including Cumulus Linux, SONIC, standard Linux distributions, and more. 

Spectrum-2 also includes a flexible parser and packet modifier that can be programmed to process new types of future protocols, thereby future proofing the data centre, said Mellanox. 

Furthermore, the new switch supports an extensive set of telemetry capabilities, including the latest in-band network telemetry standard, which provide operators with full visibility into their network and allow them to monitor, diagnose and analyse every aspect of operations. 

This is said to “greatly” simplify data centre management and enables IT managers to fully optimise the network to their data centre application’s needs.