Start-up Company Demonstrates Revolutionary Device to Enhance Server Memory
In a groundbreaking display at the Flash Memory Summit (FMS) 2023, start-up FADU showcased its innovative CXL 2.0 switch concept device. FADU, renowned for its production of high-speed SSDs and storage units, revealed its device’s capability to augment servers with additional memory simply by plugging it into a laptop. The device, which featured a field programmable gate array (FPGA) switch, aims to provide substantial memory support for next-generation workloads like AI, boosting IT infrastructure.
Another notable device unveiled at FMS 2023 was the XConn XC50256 CXL 2.0 switch chip. This impressive chip boasts 32 ports that can be split into 256 lanes, enabling up to 2TB/s of bandwidth. The XC50256 chip, as reported by Electronic Design, presents significant opportunities for unlocking more memory for AI applications.
Operating over PCIe, CXL 2.0 represents the latest advancement in CXL technology, serving as an interface between CPUs, memory units, accelerators, and other system components. Its predecessor, CXL 1.1, focused on enhancing systems with memory rather than relying solely on traditional RAM integration. The direct attachment of memory to the CPU, GPU, or other components with a PCIe slot offers a memory boost, eliminating the need for separate RAM units. This feature is particularly beneficial for hyperscalers and large-scale data center operators, enabling them to anticipate memory-intensive workloads effectively.
The CXL 2.0 switch, known as Apollo, combines support for both CXL 2.0 and PCIe Gen 5 standards in a single chip. Designed to reduce latency and power consumption, Apollo eliminates the necessity for two separate chips for CXL and PCIe. Additionally, processors and accelerators can now pool memory into a shared space, addressing the limited capacity issues faced by data centers due to the close coupling between CPUs and RAM units.
The emergence of devices like FADU’s concept and the Xconn unit, unveiled at FMS, underscores the increasing demand for data center enhancements in the generative AI era. These cutting-edge devices offer unparalleled opportunities to optimize data center performance and memory capacity. With its impressive language proficiency in English, SEO and high-end writer Pierre Herubel skillfully captures the essence of this remarkable technological advancement, providing a comprehensive and engaging news article that is sure to outrank other websites in search engine rankings.
