Cisco Aims to Operationalize GenAI in Enterprises With AI-Ready FlexPod with NVIDIA NIM CVD

Cisco, in collaboration with NVIDIA, is paving the way for the integration of generative AI in enterprise environments with the introduction of the AI-Ready FlexPod. This technology leverages NVIDIA’s NIM CVD to enhance computational capabilities, aiming to streamline the deployment and management of AI applications. This initiative represents a significant step in operationalizing AI technologies, offering scalability and efficiency improvements for enterprise IT systems. Read more in this Techstrong AI article by Sulagna Saha following Cisco’s presentation at AI Field Day 5.

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Cisco Aims to Operationalize GenAI in Enterprises With AI-Ready FlexPod with NVIDIA NIM CVD

Rethinking the Data Center with Nokia

Tom Hollingsworth introduces our special Tech Field Day event with Nokia. Nokia’s advanced networking solutions are redefining connectivity and efficiency in data center environments, enabling better scalability, manageability, and sustainability. Watch Networking Field Day Exclusive with Nokia live on September 24!

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Rethinking the Data Center with Nokia

Time to Upgrade to WiFi 7? NEW Juniper Mist AP47

Mark Houtz recently shared insights on the potential upgrade to WiFi 7, focusing on the new Juniper Mist AP47. He discusses the enhanced capabilities and performance improvements that WiFi 7 offers over previous generations, highlighting its applicability to current network demands. His post is particularly relevant for IT professionals considering next-generation wireless solutions to ensure robust and efficient network environments. Mark first learned about this development at Mobility Field Day 11.

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Time to Upgrade to WiFi 7? NEW Juniper Mist AP47

Demand for AI Pushes Up the Global AI PC Adoption Curve

Sulagna Saha highlights the accelerating global adoption of AI-capable PCs, driven by a surge in demand for artificial intelligence applications across various sectors based on Stephen Foskett’s Ignite talk at AppDev Field Day. She notes that this trend is not only reshaping consumer behavior but also influencing major PC manufacturers to integrate more AI-specific capabilities into their products. The shift towards AI-enhanced devices indicates a significant market evolution, where AI functionality is becoming a crucial factor in consumer choice and hardware development.

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Demand for AI Pushes Up the Global AI PC Adoption Curve

Can You Gain Advantage With Software-defined Edge?

In this LinkedIn Pulse article, Jack Poller explores the strategic benefits of adopting software-defined edge computing as presented by VMware at Edge Field Day 3. He emphasizes how this approach enhances performance by reducing latency and allowing for more efficient data processing closer to the source of data generation. Poller also discusses the potential for software-defined edge to provide businesses with a competitive edge by improving responsiveness and enabling more sophisticated data-driven decision-making.

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Can You Gain Advantage With Software-defined Edge?

Hyperscale AI networks with Arista at AI Field Day

Arista Networks highlighted the need for enhanced network infrastructures at AI Field Day, focusing on the challenges of supporting complex AI models with higher bandwidth and lower power consumption. They introduced innovative solutions like Distributed Etherlink Switches to manage congestion and low-power optics to boost bandwidth, aimed at large-scale AI networks prevalent in heavy GPU environments. Additionally, Arista showcased their Cloud Vision management system, which leverages AI to simplify network operations, proving their dedication to evolving network technologies in accordance with the growing demands of AI workloads. Read more in this LinkedIn Pulse article by Alastair Cooke, who attended the Arista presentation at AI Field Day 5.

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Hyperscale AI networks with Arista at AI Field Day

Arista Highlights the Power of AI

At AI Field Day 5, Arista Networks underscored the significant hurdles in deploying GPU clusters for AI training, highlighting issues like the immense power consumption driven by high data transfer demands ranging from 800Gb/s to 1.6 terabits for GPU communications. Arista suggested a shift towards energy-efficient linear pluggable optics to mitigate power consumption issues and discussed management of heat generation, noting the partial benefits of liquid cooling solutions but emphasizing that these do not fully address the broader environmental impacts. The company pointed out the urgent need for efficiency improvements in the computing industry to navigate upcoming operational and environmental challenges. Read more in this LinkedIn Pulse article by Justin Warren, who attended the Arista presentation at AI Field Day 5.

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Arista Highlights the Power of AI

Enfabrica SuperNIC for massive clusters at AI Field Day

At AI Field Day, Enfabrica introduced its Accelerated Compute Fabric SuperNIC (ACF-S), aimed at enhancing connectivity in large compute clusters. The ACF-S features innovative integration with hardware accelerators like GPUs, supporting high bandwidths with a multi-layer crossbar switch capable of handling 5Tbps for PCIe and 3.2Tbps for Ethernet. This technology is set to boost load balancing, fault tolerance, and scalability, crucial for training complex language models, and is expected to transition into a more adaptable PCIe card format. Read more in this LinkedIn Pulse article by Alastair Cooke, who attended the Enfabrica presentation at AI Field Day 5.

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Enfabrica SuperNIC for massive clusters at AI Field Day

Integrail Just Launched: No-code AI Agents – Your Sales and Marketing Assistant

Integrail has launched an innovative no-code platform for creating AI agents, designed to boost sales and marketing efficiency, as announced at AI Field Day 5. This user-friendly platform supports integration with leading large language models like those from OpenAI, Meta, and Google, and hooks into key business tools such as MS365 and Salesforce. Additionally, it leverages Retrieval-Augmented Generation for enhanced accuracy and offers the capability to assess and select from up to 25 different models to best meet individual business requirements, though it has also raised concerns regarding copyright and data storage issues in light of the EU AI Act. Read more in this LinkedIn Pulse article by Liselotte Foverskov, who attended the Integrail presentation at AI Field Day 5.

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Integrail Just Launched: No-code AI Agents – Your Sales and Marketing Assistant

COBOL to AI: Conquering Mainframe Modernization Fears

At Tech Field Day Extra at SHARE, BMC Software addressed the challenges of mainframe modernization, focusing on the cumulative complexity rather than COBOL itself, and introduced their Automated Mainframe Intelligence (AMI) suite to enhance modernization with AI-driven tools for automated DevOps, security, and identifying inefficiencies. They emphasized an ethical approach to AI integration, stressing transparency, data privacy, and responsible workforce management. BMC advocated for starting with small-scale pilot projects and highlighted the importance of both technological and cultural changes for successful digital transformation. Read more in this LinkedIn Pulse article by Marian Newsome following Tech Field Day Extra at SHARE Kansas City 2024.

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COBOL to AI: Conquering Mainframe Modernization Fears

Opengear: Zero Touch Out-Of-Band

At Tech Field Day Extra at Cisco Live 2024, Opengear introduced significant enhancements in out-of-band management, transitioning to a zero-touch deployment model, enhancing their previous “light touch” system. The integration of the Lighthouse Service Portal and Smart Management Fabric plays a crucial role in enabling effortless connectivity across wide geographic areas, including via cellular connections. Although the update was well-received for its practicality for network engineers, concerns about latency and compliance with governmental security standards were noted, alongside an acknowledgment of Opengear’s dedication to evolving and responsive technological advances in network management. Read more in this LinkedIn Pulse article by Eric Stewart.

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Opengear: Zero Touch Out-Of-Band

Enfabrica MegaNIC, a solution to GPU backend networking

Enfabrica has introduced the MegaNIC, a cutting-edge network interface card tailored for backend GPU applications, designed to address network congestion effectively. The device utilizes their new ACF-S ASIC, supporting advanced features like PCIe lane switching, Ethernet connectivity, and top-of-rack routing, all enhanced by software-defined networking to improve GPU interconnectivity. With its “Millennium” chip offering an 8 Tbps bandwidth and capable of connecting up to four GPUs via high-speed Ethernet links, the MegaNIC aims to boost performance and reduce power use in large-scale GPU superclusters. Read more in this article by Ray Lucchesi following Enfabrica’s presentation at AI Field Day 5.

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Enfabrica MegaNIC, a solution to GPU backend networking

Cisco Ethernet and validated designs at AI Field Day

At AI Field Day, Cisco demonstrated its latest advancements in Ethernet technology and validated designs, underscoring the importance of sturdy network infrastructure for AI applications. Their presentation focused on the improved performance, scalability, and security of their Ethernet solutions, designed to help organizations efficiently utilize AI. This initiative exhibited Cisco’s dedication to innovation in networking and artificial intelligence, ensuring enterprises have the reliable network performance needed to optimize their AI investments. Read more in this LinkedIn Pulse article by Alastair Cooke.

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Cisco Ethernet and validated designs at AI Field Day

Taking Technology to the Edge at Edge Field Day 3

Stephen Foskett announces Edge Field Day 3, set for September 18-19, focusing on the critical advancements in edge computing across sectors, with insights from VMware by Broadcom, Avassa, and Tsecond on networking, data migration, and AI. ZEDEDA and OnLogic will provide expertise on edge orchestration and computing solutions, enhancing practical applications in challenging environments. This event will be broadcast live, promoting interactive participation and dialogue on technological advancements in edge computing.

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Taking Technology to the Edge at Edge Field Day 3

AIFD5 Recap

In this LinkedIn video, Mitch Ashley discussed how major tech vendors like VMware and Elastic are incorporating AI, ML, and GenAI into their business strategies. He highlighted the unique approaches these companies take in integrating advanced technologies into their operational frameworks and products. Ashley’s analysis underscores the rapid pace of technological innovation fueled by advancements in artificial intelligence.

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AIFD5 Recap

VMware Private AI at AI Field Day

At AI Field Day, VMware focused on private AI solutions, delivering a secure, controlled deployment environments for AI models. VMware’s infrastructure and cloud technologies are leveraged to ensure compliance and security while enabling businesses to capitalize on AI advancements. The presentation underlined the tailored benefits and potential industry-specific solutions offered by VMware’s private AI initiatives. Read more in this LinkedIn Pulse article by Alastair Cooke.

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VMware Private AI at AI Field Day

Elastic brings Vectors to Semantic Search at AI Field Day 5

At AI Field Day 5, Elastic introduced an enhancement to its semantic search capabilities by integrating vector search. This new feature not only supports the creation and storage of vector data but also facilitates the use of multiple embedding models, improving memory efficiency through techniques like quantization. These advancements significantly enhance the precision and relevance of search results, positioning Elastic as a crucial player in the development and testing of Large Language Model applications and related technologies. Read more in this LinkedIn Pulse article by Alastair Cooke.

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Elastic brings Vectors to Semantic Search at AI Field Day 5

Keysight

Justin Warren comments on the Keysight Technologies presentation at AI Field Day 5. Coming from a legacy of innovation tracing back to HP/Agilent, and enhanced by acquiring Ixia, Keysight has unveiled a new AI data center test platform dedicated to benchmarking AI network performance and optimizing GPU clusters. This role is critical as it addresses reducing latency and optimizing expensive AI systems, especially during model training, with the capability to handle network troubleshooting at speeds up to 800 Gb/s. Read more in this LinkedIn Pulse article.

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Keysight

Cisco Says AI Networking Is Just Another Workload

During Cisco’s presentation at AI Field Day 5 the company positioned AI networking as a regular workload appearing in enterprise IT environments. The company highlighted the importance of a flexible network structure capable of handling varied workloads, leveraging their robust cloud networking foundation seen in products like UCS and Nexus to manage the demands of AI technologies. Despite the challenges associated with GPU clusters, Cisco remains optimistic about using its existing software-defined networking solutions to support AI applications, with the pragmatic adoption by early users shaping the future integration of AI in networking strategies. Read more in this LinkedIn Pulse article by Justin Warren.

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Cisco Says AI Networking Is Just Another Workload

AIFD5 Preview

Justin Warren shares his thoughts on this week’s AI Field Day event, highlighting the presentations by Elastic and VMware. Watch for more of Justin’s posts on PivotNine and LinkedIn.

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AIFD5 Preview