Merchant Silicon
In the ever-evolving landscape of technology, innovation continues to shape how we live, work, and connect. One such groundbreaking development that has caught the attention of experts and enthusiasts alike is merchant silicon. In this blog post, we will explore merchant silicon's remarkable capabilities and its far-reaching impact across various industries.
Merchant silicon refers to off-the-shelf silicon chips designed and manufactured by third-party companies. These versatile chips can be used in various applications and offer cost-effective solutions for businesses.
Flexibility and Customizability: Merchant Silicon provides network equipment manufacturers with the flexibility to choose from a wide range of components and features, tailoring their solutions to meet specific customer needs. This flexibility enables faster time-to-market and promotes innovation in the networking industry.
Cost-Effectiveness: By leveraging off-the-shelf components, Merchant Silicon significantly reduces the cost of developing networking equipment. This cost advantage makes high-performance networking solutions more accessible, driving competition and fostering technological advancements.
Enhanced Network Performance and Scalability: Merchant Silicon is designed to deliver high-performance networking capabilities, offering increased bandwidth and throughput. This enables faster data transfer rates, reduced latency, and improved overall network performance.
Advanced Packet Processing: Merchant Silicon chips incorporate advanced packet processing technologies, such as deep packet inspection and traffic prioritization. These features enhance network efficiency, allowing for more intelligent routing and improved Quality of Service (QoS).
Data Centers: Merchant Silicon has found extensive use in data centers, where scalability, performance, and cost-effectiveness are paramount. By leveraging the power of Merchant Silicon, data centers can handle the ever-increasing demands of modern applications and services, ensuring seamless connectivity and efficient data processing.
Enterprise Networking: In enterprise networking, Merchant Silicon enables organizations to build robust and scalable networks. From small businesses to large enterprises, the flexibility and cost-effectiveness of Merchant Silicon empower organizations to meet their networking requirements without compromising on performance or security.
Conclusion: Merchant Silicon has emerged as a game-changer in the world of network infrastructure. Its flexibility, cost-effectiveness, and enhanced performance make it an attractive choice for network equipment manufacturers and organizations alike. As technology continues to advance, we can expect Merchant Silicon to play an even more significant role in shaping the future of networking.
Highlights: Merchant Silicon
Understanding Merchant Silicon
Merchant silicon refers to the use of off-the-shelf, standardized semiconductor chips in networking equipment. Unlike traditional networking solutions that rely on proprietary chips, merchant silicon allows network equipment manufacturers to leverage readily available chipsets from third-party vendors. This opens up a world of possibilities, empowering companies to design and develop networking solutions that are highly customizable and scalable.
Benefits of Merchant Silicon
Flexibility and Customization: Merchant silicon enables network equipment manufacturers to tailor their products to specific customer requirements. With the ability to choose from a range of chipsets, vendors can optimize their networking solutions for different use cases and applications. This flexibility allows for greater innovation and adaptability in the ever-changing networking landscape.
Cost-Efficiency: By utilizing standardized chips, merchant silicon offers significant cost advantages over traditional networking solutions. The economies of scale associated with mass-produced chipsets result in lower production costs, ultimately driving down the overall price of networking equipment. This cost-efficiency has democratized access to high-performance networking solutions, making them more affordable and accessible to businesses of all sizes.
Performance and Scalability: Merchant silicon chipsets are designed to deliver exceptional performance, offering high-speed data processing and low-latency communication. This level of performance is crucial in today’s data-intensive world, where networks are constantly handling massive amounts of information. Additionally, the scalability of merchant silicon allows networks to easily expand and accommodate growing demands without compromising performance.
The emergence of merchant silicon has had a profound impact on the networking industry. It has disrupted the traditional model of vertically-integrated networking vendors and opened up opportunities for new players to enter the market. With the ability to leverage merchant silicon, smaller companies can now compete with established networking giants, fostering innovation and driving competition.
Silicon chips, specifically designed for networking devices, play a pivotal role in functioning routers, switches, and other network equipment. One type of silicon that has gained significant attention and relevance in recent years is Merchant Silicon.
Merchant Silicon refers to off-the-shelf networking chips produced by third-party vendors. Unlike custom silicon solutions developed in-house by network equipment manufacturers, Merchant Silicon offers a standardized, cost-effective alternative. These chips are designed to meet the requirements of various networking applications and are readily available for integration into networking devices.
Let’s begin by defining our terms:
- Custom silicon
The term custom silicon describes chips, usually ASICs (Application Specific Integrated Circuits), that are custom designed and typically built by the switch company that sells them. When describing such chips, I might use the term in-house. Cisco Nexus 7000 switches, for instance, use proprietary ASICs designed by Cisco.
- Merchant silicon
The term merchant silicon describes chips, usually ASICs, designed and made by a company other than the one that sells the switches they are used in. Suppose I could buy these chips from a retail store if such switches use off-the-shelf ASICs. I’ve looked, and Wal-Mart doesn’t carry them. Broadcom’s Trident+ ASIC, for example, is used in Arista’s 7050S-64 switches.
Merchant Silicon and SDN
Another potential benefit of merchant silicon is the future of software-defined networks (SDN). SDN resembles a cluster of switches controlled by a single software brain that runs outside the physical switches. As a result, switches become little more than ASICs that receive instructions from a master controller. A commoditized operating system and hardware would make it easier to add any vendor’s switch to the master controller in such a situation.
A silicon-based switch based on merchant silicon lends itself to this design paradigm. In contrast, a silicon-based switch based on a custom silicon design would likely only support that switch’s vendor’s master controller.
Bare-Metal Switching
Commodity switches are used in both white-box and bare-metal switching. In this way, users can purchase hardware from one vendor, purchase an operating system from another, and then load features and applications from other vendors or open-source communities.
As a result of the OpenFlow hype, white-box switching was a hot topic since it commoditized hardware and centralized the network control in an OpenFlow controller (now known as an SDN controller). Google announced in 2013 that it built and controlled its switches with OpenFlow! It was a topic of much discussion then, but not every user is Google, so not every user will build their hardware and software.
Meanwhile, a few companies emerged solely focused on providing white-box switching solutions. These companies include Big Switch Networks, Cumulus Networks, and Pica8 (now owned by NVIDIA). They also needed hardware for their software to provide an end-to-end solution. Originally, original design manufacturers (ODMs) supplied white-box hardware platforms like Quanta Networks, Supermicro, Alpha Networks, and Accton Technology Corporation. You probably haven’t heard of those vendors, even if you’ve worked in the network industry.
The industry shifted from calling this trend white-box to bare-metal only after Cumulus and Big Switch announced partnerships with HP and Dell Technologies. Name-brand vendors now support third-party operating systems from Big Switch and Cumulus on their hardware platforms. You create bare-metal switches by combining switches from ODMs with NOSs from third parties, including the ones mentioned above. Many of the same switches from ODMs are now also available from traditional network vendors, as they use merchant silicon ASICs.
Landscape Changes
Some data center vendors offer a “Debian” based operating system for network equipment. Their philosophy is that engineers should manage switches just like they manage servers with the ability to use existing server administration tools. They want networking to work as a server application. For example, Cumulus has created the first full-featured Linux distribution for network hardware. It allows designers to break free from proprietary networking equipment and utilize the advantages of the SDN Data Center.
Issues with Traditional Networking
Cloud computing, distributed storage, and virtualization technologies are changing the operational landscape. Traditional networking concepts do not align with new requirements and continually act as blockers to business enablers. Decoupling hardware/software is required to keep pace with the innovation needed to meet the speeds and agility of cloud deployments and emerging technologies.
Merchant silicon is a term used to describe chips. Usually, ASICs (Application-Specific Integrated Circuits) are developed by an entity, not the company selling the switches. Then, we have custom silicon, which is the opposite of Merchant Silicon. Custom silicon is a term used to describe chips, usually ASICs, that are custom-designed and traditionally built by the company selling the switches in which they are used.
Benefits of Merchant Silicon:
1. Cost-Effectiveness: One of merchant silicon’s primary advantages is its cost-effectiveness. Since these chips are mass-produced, they are available at a lower cost than custom chips. This allows networking equipment manufacturers to deliver high-performance solutions at a more affordable price, making networking technology more accessible to a broader audience.
2. Flexibility and Innovation: Merchant silicon allows network equipment manufacturers to choose the best chipset. They can select chips from various vendors, offering different features and capabilities. This enables manufacturers to innovate and differentiate their products, creating a more diverse and competitive networking landscape.
3. Time-to-Market: Developing custom chips can be a time-consuming process. By leveraging merchant silicon, networking equipment manufacturers can significantly reduce their time-to-market, as they can quickly integrate pre-existing, tested chips into their products. This allows them to bring new networking solutions to market faster, meeting the ever-increasing demands of the industry.
Impact on the Networking Industry:
Merchant silicon has profoundly impacted the networking industry, transforming how networks are built and operated. Here are some key areas where merchant silicon has made a difference:
1. Performance and Scalability: With the advancements in merchant silicon, networking equipment manufacturers can now deliver higher performance and scalability in their products. These chips offer greater processing power, faster data rates, and improved packet forwarding capabilities, enabling networks to handle more traffic and meet the growing demands of bandwidth-intensive applications.
2. Openness and Interoperability: Merchant silicon promotes openness and interoperability in networking. Since network equipment manufacturers are not tied to proprietary chipsets, they can build solutions that adhere to industry standards and work seamlessly with equipment from different vendors. This fosters a more open, collaborative networking ecosystem where interoperability and compatibility are prioritized.
3. Innovation and Differentiation: By leveraging merchant silicon, networking equipment manufacturers can focus on developing innovative software solutions and features that differentiate their products in the market. This has led to new technologies, such as software-defined networking (SDN) and network function virtualization (NFV), revolutionizing how networks are designed, managed, and optimized.
Before you proceed, you may find the following helpful:
Merchant Silicon
Disaggregation Model
Disaggregation is the next logical evolution in data center topologies. Cumulus does not reinvent all the wheels; they believe that routing and bridging work well, with no reason to change them. Instead, they use existing protocols to build on the original networking concept base. The technologies they offer are based on well-designed current feature sets. Their O/S enables dis-aggregation of switching design to the server hardware/software disaggregation model.
Disaggregation decouples hardware/software on individual network elements. Modern networking equipment is proprietary today, making it expensive and complicated to manage. Disaggregation allows designers to break free from vertically integrated networking gear. It also allows you to separate the procurement decisions around hardware and software.
Data center topology types and merchant silicon
Previously, we needed proprietary hardware to provide networking functionality. Now, the hardware allows many of those functions in “merchant silicon.” In the last ten years, we have seen a massive increase in the production of merchant silicon. Merchant silicon is a term used to describe the use of “off-the-shelf” chip components to create a network product enabling open networking. Currently, three major players for 10GbE and 40GbE switch ASIC are Broadcom, Fulcrum, and Fujitsu.
In addition, cumulus supports the Broadcom Trident II ASIC switch silicon, also used in the Cisco Nexus 9000 series. Merchant silicon’s price/performance ratio is far better than proprietary ASIC.
Routing isn’t broken – Simple building blocks.
To disaggregate networking, we must first simplify it. Networking is complicated. Sometimes, less is more. Building robust ecosystems using simple building blocks with existing layer 2 and layer 3 protocols is possible. Internet Protocol (IP) is the underlying base technology and the basis for every large data center. MPLS is an attractive, helpful alternative, but IP is a mature building block today. IP is based on a standard technique, unlike Multichassis Link Aggregation (MLAG), which is vendor-specific.
Multichassis Link Aggregation (MLAG) implementation
Each vendor has various MLAG variations; some operate with unified and separate control planes. MLAG offers suitable control planes: Juniper with Virtual Chassis, HP with Intelligent Resilient Framework (IRF), Cisco Virtual Switching System, and cross-stack EtherChannel. MLAG, with separate control planes, includes Cisco Virtual Port-Channel (vPC) and Arista MLAG.
With all the vendors out there, we have no standard for MLAG. Where specific VLANs can be isolated to particular ToRs, Layer 3 is a preferred alternative. Cumulus Multichassis Link Aggregation (MLAG) implementation is an MLAG daemon written in python.
The specific implementation of how the MLAG gets translated to the hardware is ASIC independent, so in theory, you could run MLAG between two boxes that are not running the same chipset. Similar to other vendor MLAG implementations, it is limited to two spine switches. If you require anything to scale, move to IP. The beauty of IP is that you can do much stuff without relying on proprietary technologies.
Data center topology types: A design for simple failures
Everyone building networks at scale is building them as a loosely coupled system. People are not trying to over-engineer and build exact systems. High-performance clusters are excellent applications and must be made a certain way. A general-purpose cloud is not built that way. Operators build “generic” applications over “generic” infrastructure. Designing and engineering networks with simple building blocks leads to simpler designs with simple failures. Over-engineering networks experience complex failures that are time-consuming to troubleshoot. When things fail, they should fail.
Building blocks should be constructed with straightforward rules. Designers understand you can build extensive networks with simple rules and building blocks. For example, analyzing Spine Leaf architecture looks complicated. But in terms of the networking fabric, the Cumulus ecosystem is made of a straightforward building block – fixed form-factor switches. It makes failures very simple.
On the other hand, if the chassis base switch fails, you need to troubleshoot many aspects. Did the line card not connect to the backplane? Is the backplane failing? All these troubleshooting steps add complexity. With the disaggregated model, when networks fail, they fail in simple ways. Nobody wants to troubleshoot a network when it is down. Cumulus tries to keep the base infrastructure simple and not complement every tool and technology.
For example, if you use Layer 2, MLAG is your only topology. STP is simply a fail-stop mechanism and is not used as a high convergence mechanism. Rapid Spanning Tree Protocol (RSTP) and Bridge Protocol Data Units (BPDU) are all you need; you can build straightforward networks with these.
Virtual router redundancy
First Hop Redundancy Protocol (FHRP) now becomes trivial. Cumulus uses Anycast Virtual IP/MAC, eliminating complex FHRP protocols. You do not need a protocol in your MLAG topology to keep your network running. They support a variation of the Virtual Router Redundancy Protocol (VRRP) known as Virtual Router Redundancy (VRR). It’s like VRRP without the protocol and supports an active-active setup. It allows hosts to communicate with redundant routers without dynamic or router protocols.
Merchant silicon has emerged as a driving force in the networking industry, offering cost-effectiveness, flexibility, and faster time-to-market. This technology has enabled networking equipment manufacturers to deliver high-performance solutions, promote interoperability, and drive innovation. As the demand for faster, more reliable networks continues to grow, merchant silicon will play a pivotal role in shaping the future of networking technology.
Summary: Merchant Silicon
Merchant Silicon has emerged as a game-changer in the world of network infrastructure. This revolutionary technology is transforming the way data centers and networking systems operate, offering unprecedented flexibility, scalability, and cost-efficiency. In this blog post, we will dive deep into the concept of Merchant Silicon, exploring its origins, benefits, and impact on modern networks.
Understanding Merchant Silicon
Merchant Silicon refers to using off-the-shelf, commercially available silicon chips in networking devices instead of proprietary, custom-built chips. These off-the-shelf chips are developed and manufactured by third-party vendors, providing network equipment manufacturers (NEMs) with a cost-effective and highly versatile alternative to in-house chip development. By leveraging Merchant Silicon, NEMs can focus on software innovation and system integration, streamlining product development cycles and reducing time-to-market.
Key Benefits of Merchant Silicon
Enhanced Flexibility: Merchant Silicon allows network equipment manufacturers to choose from a wide range of silicon chip options, providing the flexibility to select the most suitable chips for their specific requirements. This flexibility enables rapid customization and optimization of networking devices, catering to diverse customer needs and market demands.
Scalability and Performance: Merchant Silicon offers scalability that was previously unimaginable. By incorporating the latest advancements in chip technology from multiple vendors, networking devices can deliver superior performance, higher bandwidth, and lower latency. This scalability ensures that networks can adapt to evolving demands and handle increasing data traffic effectively.
Cost Efficiency: Using off-the-shelf chips, NEMs can significantly reduce manufacturing costs as the chip design and fabrication burden is shifted to specialized vendors. This cost advantage also extends to customers, making network infrastructure more affordable and accessible. The competitive market for Merchant Silicon also drives innovation and price competition among chip vendors, resulting in further cost savings.
Applications and Industry Impact
Data Centers: Merchant Silicon has revolutionized data center networks by enabling the development of high-performance, software-defined networking (SDN) solutions. These solutions offer unparalleled agility, scalability, and programmability, allowing data centers to manage the increasing complexity of modern workloads and applications efficiently.
Telecommunications: The telecommunications industry has embraced Merchant Silicon to accelerate the deployment of next-generation networks such as 5G. By leveraging the power of off-the-shelf chips, telecommunication companies can rapidly upgrade their infrastructure, deliver faster and more reliable connectivity, and support emerging technologies like edge computing and the Internet of Things (IoT).
Challenges and Future Outlook
Integration and Compatibility: While Merchant Silicon offers numerous benefits, integrating third-party chips into existing network architectures can present compatibility challenges. Close collaboration between chip vendors, NEMs, and software developers ensures seamless integration and optimal performance.
Continuous Innovation: As technology advances, chip vendors must keep pace with the networking industry’s evolving needs. Merchant Silicon’s future lies in the continuous development of cutting-edge chip designs that push the boundaries of performance, power efficiency, and integration capabilities.
Conclusion
In conclusion, Merchant Silicon has ushered in a new era of network infrastructure, empowering NEMs to build highly flexible, scalable, and cost-effective solutions. By leveraging off-the-shelf chips, businesses can unleash their networks’ true potential, adapting to changing demands and embracing future technologies. As chip technology continues to evolve, Merchant Silicon is poised to play a pivotal role in shaping the future of networking.
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