Tech Field Day Coverage
Our delegate panel includes independent writers and thought leaders, and we collect their coverage of the event, Tech Field Day presentations, and sponsoring companies here.
Keeping GPUs Fed Around the Clock, With Solidigm
As discussed at AI Field Day, Solidigm’s storage system addresses the diverse and intense demands of AI workloads, ensuring GPUs remain constantly fed with data. Recognizing the variety in I/O patterns and the substantial data processing required for machine learning, Solidigm’s SSDs offer superior performance for sequential and random read/write activities, consuming less power and space in datacenters. Additionally, their Cloud Storage Acceleration Layer (CSAL) software enhances the durability and efficiency of SSDs by optimizing write patterns, making it an open-source boon for those seeking to streamline AI-based operations. Read more in this Gestalt IT article by Sulagna Saha.
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Keeping GPUs Fed Around the Clock, With Solidigm
No-Code Machine Learning With Qlik AutoML
At AI Field Day, Qlik launched AutoML, a revolutionary no-code machine learning capability within Qlik Cloud, empowering enterprises to harness predictive analytics without the barriers of cost or lack of expertise. This innovative feature allows organizations to effortlessly integrate algorithmic prediction into their workflows, enabling data-driven decision-making across various departments from sales to finance. AutoML stands out as a tool that simplifies machine learning, offering a straightforward approach where users can develop models and analyze future trends with just a few clicks, transforming complex data science into actionable insights. Read more in this article by Sulagna Saha from Gestalt IT.
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No-Code Machine Learning With Qlik AutoML
AI Assistance Without Leveraging Infrastructure Data, With Forward Networks
AI has become a critical yet contentious component in networking, as vendors seek balance between leveraging its benefits and protecting the sensitive data it runs on. Forward Networks has innovatively addressed this challenge with its AI Assist and Summary Assist features, enabling network engineers to streamline their use of the Network Query Engine (NQE) without exposing critical infrastructure data. These tools epitomize strategic AI implementation, delivering powerful assistance within a data-secure framework to optimize network management while safeguarding company-specific information. Learn more in this article by Aaron Conaway, sponsored by Forward Networks.
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AI Assistance Without Leveraging Infrastructure Data, With Forward Networks
Everyday Networking With Aviz Networks’ New Smart Assistant, Network Copilot
Aviz Networks unveiled its Network Copilot Smart Assistant at Networking Field Day, a groundbreaking solution designed to redefine AI-enhanced networking by going beyond just data analytics to deep, seamless integration with existing network infrastructure. This Smart Assistant stands out with its ability to ingest and process vast network data across any environment, leveraging pre-trained open-source language models for robust, personalized network optimization. Aviz Networks’ Network Copilot is poised to transform everyday network operations, offering capabilities like compliance analysis, capacity planning, and advanced troubleshooting through an intelligent, vendor-neutral platform that simplifies and accelerates network management. Learn more in this article from Gestalt IT.
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Everyday Networking With Aviz Networks’ New Smart Assistant, Network Copilot
Exploring Data in the AI Era With Solidigm – New Data Insights Series
The TechArena has launched a Data Insights Series, joining forces with Solidigm, where they will explore the intricate landscape of data in the AI era. Hosted by Allyson Klein with Jeniece Wronowski and Ace Stryker from Solidigm, the series will delve into the objectives of understanding and leveraging data, underscoring the central role of SSD innovation in crafting modern data pipelines. This initiative aims to shed light on the transformative influence of storage solutions in AI advancements, positioning SSDs as a cornerstone technology in data-centric environments.
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Exploring Data in the AI Era With Solidigm - New Data Insights Series
Nature Fresh Farms – Optimizing Indoor Farming Practices With AI and Intel
At AI Field Day, Nature Fresh Farms, a leader in greenhouse farming in North America, revealed how the strategic use of Intel AI solutions revolutionized their farming practices towards precision agriculture. Keith Bradley highlighted the transition from traditional to high-tech farming, with on-premises Intel-based infrastructure enabling real-time data analytics for improved yield, resource efficiency, and operational control. Emphasizing sustainability and the growing importance of AI in agriculture, Bradley shared how Nature Fresh Farms harnesses predictive AI models on the farm, leveraging technology to optimize every aspect from irrigation to packaging and contributing to a marked increase in yield per square meter annually. Read more in this Gestalt IT article by Sulagna Saha.
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Nature Fresh Farms - Optimizing Indoor Farming Practices With AI and Intel
The Network Digital Twin GOAT
The concept of a digital twin in network engineering moves beyond simple emulation, offering a comprehensive replication of a production environment’s topology for advanced testing and assurance, akin to what Google Maps is for the planet. Forward Networks elevates this idea by aggregating extensive configuration and state information to mathematically model a full-scale digital twin, blending data center, cloud, and campus networks into a searchable data lake for robust analyses. This transformative technology has proven indispensable in complex network scenarios, enabling professionals to visually trace paths, validate compliance, and predict the implications of network changes with an unprecedented level of detail and accuracy. Read more in this article by David Varnum, inspired by Networking Field Day 34!
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Quantum Myriad – a Transactionally-Consistent Scale-Out All-Flash File Storage
Quantum has taken a bold step towards solving the scalability dilemma faced by enterprise storage solutions with the introduction of Myriad, a cloud-native all-flash storage platform uniquely designed for transactionally consistent operations. Myriad’s open architecture, built with industry-standard components, promises unprecedented flexibility and scalability across environments, both on-premises and in the cloud, catering to the demanding requirements of modern workloads. Setting a new standard in high-performance storage solutions, Quantum Myriad is poised to address the needs of businesses grappling with exponential data growth, ensuring predictability and innovation at the core of its scale-out storage offering. Read more in this Gestalt IT article by David Klee, sponsored by Quantum.
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Quantum Myriad – a Transactionally-Consistent Scale-Out All-Flash File Storage
Next-Generation AI With VAST Data: Beyond Storage and Compute
This LinkedIn article by Gina Rosenthal discusses the VAST Data solution for AI data presented at AI Field Day. VAST Data pioneers AI and deep learning infrastructure with its integrated VAST Data Platform, as presented in partnership with NVIDIA and Supermicro that further solidify VAST’s role in streamlining AI adoption and digital transformation.
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Next-Generation AI With VAST Data: Beyond Storage and Compute
Don’t Let Storage Be Your AI Training Kryptonite
In the rapidly advancing field of AI, efficiently managing checkpoints during model training is crucial, and Solidigm’s QLC drives offer a solution that mitigates the risk of slow storage becoming a bottleneck. Their high-performance drives support the significant read/write operations required for frequent checkpointing, enabling data scientists to maintain efficient workflows and reduce training costs. Solidigm’s dense storage enclosures optimize data centre space while providing the necessary infrastructure for high-capacity AI datasets, proving that fast storage is the unsung hero in the race towards AI innovation. Read more in this article by Ben Young, reacting to AI Field Day.
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Don't Let Storage Be Your AI Training Kryptonite
Deploying AI Cost-Effectively at Scale With Kamiwaza
At AI Field Day, Kamiwaza introduced their open-source stack, designed to enable GenAI to scale elastically, addressing the common hurdles of infrastructure cost and operational scale faced by enterprises. With a vision to empower businesses to achieve a trillion inferences a day and ignite the 5th industrial revolution, Kamiwaza’s stack facilitates AI deployment across various environments, from cloud to edge, guaranteeing security and manageability of dispersed data. The stack’s compatibility with Intel CPUs ensures that enterprises can harness efficient AI inferencing power with minimal energy consumption, making sophisticated AI accessible and sustainable for organizations of all sizes. Read more in this Gestalt IT article by Sulagna Saha.
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Deploying AI Cost-Effectively at Scale With Kamiwaza
Quantum Myriad: A Future-Proof Storage for High-Performance Workloads
Quantum advances its storage portfolio with Myriad, the latest software-defined solution that streamlines unified file and object storage capabilities tailored to today’s intensive workloads like AI and HPC. Myriad’s innovative architecture, built on a cloud-native foundation, promises high throughput and low latency, driven by NVMe technology to meet the rigorous demands of data-rich environments. This strategic move not only bridges the gap between Quantum’s StorNext and ActiveScale products but also redefines the company’s trajectory by catering to the burgeoning needs of capacity, performance, and scalability inherent to modern data workflows. Read more in this Gestalt IT article by Max Mortillaro, sponsored by Quantum.
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Quantum Myriad: A Future-Proof Storage for High-Performance Workloads
Compute Requirements in the AI Era With Intel’s Lisa Spelman
In this TechArena interview, Allyson Klein explores with Intel’s Lisa Spelman the evolving compute demands as enterprises gear up for the AI revolution and strive for widespread AI integration. They delve into the current state of AI adoption across industries while highlighting the critical role of software, tools, and standards in scaling AI solutions effectively. This insightful discussion underscores the thriving synergy between hardware advancements and software ecosystems necessary to power the next generation of AI applications.
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Compute Requirements in the AI Era With Intel’s Lisa Spelman
At AI Field Day, Qlik Shows AI-Based Analysis Added to Its Platform
At AI Field Day, Qlik unveiled a wizard-based AI feature that simplifies the process of leveraging on-premises data for insightful analytics, integrating smoothly with Qlik’s cloud services. This enhancement to their analytics platform aims to democratize AI’s benefits, making advanced data analysis accessible to a broader range of users with varying expertise. Qlik’s initiative reflects a commitment to user-friendly, AI-powered analytics, facilitating deeper insights while streamlining the experience for its customers. Read more in this analyst note for The Futurum Group by Alastair Cooke.
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At AI Field Day, Qlik Shows AI-Based Analysis Added to Its Platform
Why Storage Matters for AI: Solidigm Shares POV at AI Field Day
During AI Field Day, Solidigm’s Ace Stryker and Alan Bumgarner illustrated the pivotal role of SSDs in AI applications, showcasing how they cater to the high data demands of models and workflows with increased efficiency. They highlighted the superiority of SSDs over HDDs in terms of performance and Total Cost of Ownership, emphasizing the tangible benefits from greater data density to reduced physical infrastructure needs. The presentation honed in on the importance of storage in AI, linking Solidigm’s advanced SSD solutions with scalable and power-efficient AI server operations, resonating with sustainability goals and operational cost reduction.
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Why Storage Matters for AI: Solidigm Shares POV at AI Field Day
Google Cloud, the Preferred Platform for Building Competitive AI Models
At AI Field Day, Google Cloud’s Brandon Royal showcased the giant’s comprehensive strategy for meeting today’s burgeoning AI demands, leveraging one of the industry’s most extensive digital infrastructures. Emphasizing the significance of AI infrastructure in conjunction with generative AI (GenAI), Google Cloud highlighted their commitment to innovation, asserting their platform as the superhighway for AI-forward companies. With Google Cloud providing robust compute power off its own infrastructure, businesses can harness AI’s opportunities without the traditionally high entry barriers of infrastructure costs and expertise. Read more in this article by Sulagna Saha for Gestalt IT.
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Google Cloud, the Preferred Platform for Building Competitive AI Models
Deciding When to Use Intel Xeon CPUs for AI Inference
At AI Field Day, Intel offered insights into strategic decision-making for AI inference, highlighting scenarios where Intel Xeon CPUs outshine traditional GPU solutions on both on-premises and cloud servers. By evaluating the specific requirements of AI inference workloads, Intel guides users to make informed choices that enhance value while optimizing their existing server infrastructure. This approach emphasizes efficiency and practicality in deploying AI capabilities, ensuring that organizations can navigate the complex landscape of hardware selection for their AI initiatives. Read more in this Futurum Research Analyst Note by Alastair Cooke.
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Deciding When to Use Intel Xeon CPUs for AI Inference
The Continuing Evolution of Forward Networks – Networking Field Day 34
Reflecting on Networking Field Day 13, Rob Coote discusses the Forward Networks platform with its groundbreaking digital twin technology, allowing a detailed grasp of network configurations and potential impact of changes. Since then, their continuous evolution was showcased at Networking Field Day 34, where Forward Networks revealed its integration of AI and LLM into their established platform, providing a refined, natural language query experience and heightening network visibility. This trajectory not only illustrates Forward Networks’ commitment to innovation but also exemplifies how AI, when thoughtfully applied, can significantly enhance the utility and sophistication of tech solutions in network management.
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The Continuing Evolution of Forward Networks – Networking Field Day 34
Hammerspace Shows Storage Acceleration for AI Training
At AI Field Day, Hammerspace showcased its innovative storage acceleration solution, demonstrating how Hyperscale NAS can be leveraged to enhance the performance of current scale-out NAS systems, particularly in training large language models (LLM) efficiently. This storage boost not only improves speed but also optimizes resource allocation during the intensive LLM training process. Hammerspace’s advancement offers organizations the opportunity to amplify their AI training capabilities without the need to overhaul their existing storage infrastructure. Read more in this Futurum Research Analyst Note by Alastair Cooke.
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Hammerspace Shows Storage Acceleration for AI Training
VAST Data Soars With Industry Heavyweights
As Allyson Klein writes, VAST Data is revealing a major shift in AI strategy, joining forces with NVIDIA and Supermicro to bolster its role as a forward-thinking AI data platform. By embracing a novel architecture that eschews traditional x86 design for a powerful GPU-centric platform with NVIDIA DPUs, VAST Data is poised to redefine data storage, promising significant energy efficiency and enhanced performance for AI workloads. The company’s move shifts the AI training landscape towards GPU-native frameworks and sets VAST Data as a key innovator in an infrastructure industry ripe for disruption.
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