1.6T to 1.6T Link for Switch-to-Switch

1.6T to 1.6T Link for Switch-to-Switch: High Bandwidth, Low Power, and Closed-Top Design

In today’s era of data-intensive computing, high-bandwidth and energy-efficient connectivity between switches is essential to maintaining the performance and reliability of high-performance computing (HPC) clusters and AI data centers. As the need for faster and denser networks increases, the 1.6T direct-attached copper (DAC) solution emerges as an optimal choice for switch-to-switch interconnects, especially in NVIDIA's latest InfiniBand infrastructure powered by the Quantum-X800.

1.6T Quantum-X800 to 1.6T Quantum-X800: Unleashing the Power of Direct Interconnects

The 1.6T DAC cables are purpose-built for high-speed connections between Quantum-X800 InfiniBand switches, supporting up to 1600Gbps aggregate throughput over short distances. This capability enables efficient communication within the fabric layer of large-scale compute clusters and supports the rapid data exchange required by AI model training and complex simulations.

Key Technical Advantages

✅ High Bandwidth

Each 1.6T DAC supports a full duplex 1600Gbps link, ideal for environments that demand maximum throughput. This significantly reduces the number of cables required per switch, improving airflow and space efficiency in high-density racks.

✅ Low Power Consumption

Unlike optical transceivers, DACs do not require power-hungry laser components, making them highly energy-efficient. This aligns well with green computing goals and the drive to reduce total cost of ownership (TCO) in hyperscale data centers.

✅ Closed-Top Design & Thermal Efficiency

To support deployment in liquid-cooled environments, the 1.6T DAC is engineered with a closed-top design and integrated heat sink with airflow channels, which enhances cooling performance and extends device longevity. This innovation protects internal switch components and reduces the risk of overheating under high workloads.

Applications and Use Cases

• AI Training Clusters: Facilitates ultra-fast, lossless GPU-to-GPU communication.

• HPC Networks: Offers stable, high-bandwidth switch interconnection across compute nodes.

• Data Center Core Links: Ensures low-latency switch-to-switch fabric connectivity.

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Conclusion

As data center architectures scale to support exascale computing and trillion-parameter AI models, the need for robust and efficient switch interconnects becomes paramount. The 1.6T to 1.6T link using DAC technology between Quantum-X800 switches offers the perfect balance of performance, power efficiency, and deployment simplicity—especially for next-generation AI and HPC workloads.