Juniper amps up AI networking plans

Juniper touts open-standard, interoperable Ethernet fabrics for AI

Juniper’s Francis said this about the competitive landscape: “The challenge of managing a relatively small number of large flows, typical of AI workloads, is a significant obstacle for traditional network designs that rely on per-flow load balancing. Efficient load balancing and effective congestion management protocols are crucial for supporting the network fabrics behind AI training workloads. Undetected or unresolved network bottlenecks and inefficiencies can lead to substantial costs for AI infrastructures.”

While proprietary, scheduled Ethernet fabric solutions that enhance load balancing exist, they bring about their own set of operational and visibility challenges, not to mention a dependency on vendor lock-in similar to that seen with InfiniBand fabrics, Francis said.

“The most effective strategy for addressing AI networking challenges involves leveraging open standard, interoperable Ethernet fabrics. This approach prioritizes enhancements in network operations to cater specifically to the diverse needs of various AI workload types,” Francis said.

 “Whether implemented in fixed form factors or large chassis switches suitable for multiplanar, multistage Clos architectures, or high-radix spine topologies, Ethernet offers the most cost-effective and flexible solution for data center technology,” Francis said. Clos is Juniper’s architecture for setting up large data center and fabric architectures. It utilizes Juniper’s EVPN-VXLAN fabric to offer increased network scalability and segmentation.

“As a converged technology, Ethernet fabrics support multivendor integration and operations, providing a range of design options to achieve the desired balance of performance, resiliency, and cost efficiency for the back-end networking of AI data centers and their broader AI infrastructures.”

Juniper’s AI technology was one of the core reasons Hewlett Packard Enterprise recently said it would acquire Juniper Networks for $14 billion. Networking will become the new core business and architecture foundation for HPE’s hybrid cloud and AI solutions delivered through the company’s GreenLake hybrid cloud platform, the companies stated.

The combined company will offer secure, end-to-end AI-native solutions that are built on the foundation of cloud, high performance, and experience-first, and will also have the ability to collect, analyze, and act on aggregated telemetry across a broader installed base, according to the companies. The deal is expected to close by early 2025 at the latest.