Cavium's FastLinQ Ethernet Adapter Means Faster Workloads

By Steve Anderson
Contributing Writer

While there have been no shortage of great technological advancements when it comes to cloud-based systems and network functions virtualization (NFV) operations, all of these developments have had the looming specter of bandwidth shortages hovering in the background. That's a point Cavium is out to help fix with its new FastLinQ Ethernet adapter, a system that helps provide bandwidth where it's most needed.

Cavium has long been involved in delivering the best in Ethernet connectivity, and its new FastLinQ 45000 Series Ethernet adapter should go a long way toward delivering even better than its previous offerings have. The new FastLinQ system offers a throughput of up to 200 Gbps, which is impressive by any standard. Thanks to this boost, FastLinQ is now better able to handle NFV operations, as well as cloud-based operations, while helping keep costs contained.

Not only does the system offer better connectivity—as well as improved small packet performance—but it also allows systems to better take advantage of available resources at the server level. That helps take some weight off the processor and makes for a better user experience, also keeping costs under control. New administration systems also step in, including the combination of systems from Cavium, Mirantis' FUEL and QConvergeConsole, to help drive better integration and workload deployment.

Cavium's manager of the Ethernet adapter group and vice president Rajneesh Gaur noted, “Cavium FastLinQ cutting-edge NIC (News - Alert) technologies and joint innovation with leading NFV and cloud infrastructure partners eliminate the performance barrier associated with realizing and deploying NFV and cloud solutions. Moreover, this groundbreaking performance combined with the intelligence and offload capabilities of our FastLinQ family of 25/100Gb Ethernet Adapters empowers NFV and cloud platforms to deliver exceptional levels of service and application processing, while offloading packet I/O.”

The combination of making a better user experience and delivering it at lower costs is a combination that's hard to pass up. Throw in the fact that such Ethernet speeds will be necessary not only to take advantage of increasing amounts of cloud-based technology, but also to better drive NFV, software-defined networking (SDN), and to take advantage of the upcoming move to 5G, and having Cavium systems in place might be the best way to hit the ground running.

Regardless of the intended use, Cavium's systems are a powerful development, and should go a long way toward driving new operations in Ethernet access and beyond.

If you’d like to learn more about NFV, be sure to check out TMC (News - Alert) and Crossfire Media’s newest conference and expo, Communications 20/20, happening July 18-20 at Caesars Palace in Las Vegas. The event will focus on the next wave of technology and innovations that will transcend the importance of person to person contact, disrupting the future of the entire communications industry. Find out more HERE.