Cisco Enterprise Networking Presents at Tech Field Day Extra at Cisco Live US 2023

Cisco Artificial Intelligence and Machine Learning Data Center Networking Blueprint

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Artificial Intelligence and Machine Learning is part of many industries and day to day life, and it will expand in the future. This session shows how Ethernet Networks use RoCEv2 transport benefits AI/ML clusters. You’ll also see a demonstration of congestion management capabilities of Nexus switches, that will improve AI workload transports.

Nemanja Kamenica, a technical marketing engineer at Cisco, presented an AI/ML data center networking blueprint. The presentation highlighted the diverse applications of AI in various sectors such as medical research, financial services, public transport optimization, manufacturing, and retail recommendations. Kamenica discussed the two types of AI clusters: distributed training clusters and product inference clusters. The network requirements for AI training networks, including non-blocking transport, lossless Ethernet, and ROC-UV2 technology with PFC and ECN for congestion management, were outlined. A demo showcased congestion occurring when multiple hosts simultaneously sent data to a storage device, leading to congestion on a specific port. To address congestion issues, the Nexus Dashboard Fabric Controller allows the configuration of QoS mechanisms such as WRED, ECN, and PFC. Proper management of bursty all-to-all communication within AI clusters is crucial to prevent congestion and mitigate potential financial losses.

Personnel: Nemanja Kamenica

Cloud-Delivered Cisco Catalyst SD-WAN

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In this session, you’ll learn how Cloud-delivered Cisco Catalyst SD-WAN offers an automated solution delivery with Cisco overseeing the lifecycle management of the SD-WAN fabric, and how we provide provide rich, actionable, end-to-end insights while lowering TCO.

Anupam Mishra, the leader of product management in Cisco SD-WAN View, introduced a new deployment model called Cloud-delivered Cisco Catalyst SD-WAN. The objective of this model is to streamline the operational aspects of SD-WAN for customers by assuming the responsibility of managing the fabric to a significant extent. The Cloud-delivered option includes integrated analytics, automated software upgrades, certificate installation, and a bundled SKU for convenient ordering. While the Cloud-delivered model is not currently supported in GovCloud, Cisco plans to add support in later phases. Initially targeting enterprise customers, Cisco will expand its focus to include the MSP and federal markets. The ordering process for AWS is simplified and can be done directly, while partner involvement is necessary for ordering through Cisco Commerce Workplace. The Cloud-delivered Catalyst SD-WAN simplifies onboarding and deployment by capturing user intent during the ordering process, enabling single sign-on, and bundling the required controllers and licenses. In its initial phase, the Cloud-delivered model supports up to 1000 devices and aims to provide customers with a straightforward operational model that allows them to concentrate on their network business outcomes.

Personnel: Anupam Mishra