The provider of semiconductor-based connectivity solutions for AI and cloud infrastructure, Astera Labs, Inc. (Nasdaq: ALAB) unveils a new portfolio of fabric switches for AI workloads in accelerated computing platforms deployed at cloud-scale. This includes the industry’s first PCIe 6 switch. The Scorpio Smart Fabric Switch portfolio is optimized for AI dataflows to deliver maximum predictable performance per watt, high reliability, easy cloud-scale deployment, reduced time-to-market, and lower total cost of ownership.
The Scorpio Smart Fabric Switch portfolio introduces two specialized product lines with a multi-generational roadmap. The Scorpio P-Series is designed for GPU-to-CPU, NIC, and SSD PCIe 6 connectivity, supporting mixed traffic across PCIe hosts and endpoints. The Scorpio X-Series focuses on back-end GPU clustering, delivering high GPU-to-GPU bandwidth with platform-specific customizations. These solutions cater to the evolving needs of high-performance computing.
Jitendra Mohan, CEO, Astera Labs, said, “Hyperscalers are deploying highly specialized AI platforms at an unprecedented pace, scale, and complexity. Our new Scorpio Smart Fabric Switch portfolio delivers maximum system utilization and uptime for two specific AI use cases – scale-out PCIe connectivity with Scorpio P-Series and back-end, scale-up GPU clustering with Scorpio X-Series. Scorpio offers energy-efficient fabric solutions with predictable, secure, high-performance data flows and extensive fleet management capabilities for accelerated cloud-scale AI infrastructure deployments.”
Patrick Moorhead, Founder, CEO, and Chief Analyst, of Moor Insights & Strategy, added, “Hyperscalers and AI platform providers developing systems for training and inferencing workloads have traditionally used PCIe switches that were initially designed for general purpose and storage applications. These switches can be complex, consume high power, and require longer system development cycles, making them challenging for AI platforms. With its introduction of the Scorpio Smart Fabric Switch portfolio, Astera Labs is focused on the industry’s need for a more performant, efficient fabric solution that’s purpose-built to meet the specific requirements of AI training and inference workloads in the cloud.”
The new switches portfolio will strengthen Astera’s Intelligent Connectivity Platform. It will integrate with the COnnectivity System Management and Optimization Software (COSMOS) suite to deliver a smart, customizable connectivity backbone with better data center observability, enhanced security, and extensive fleet management capabilities. Scorpio enables unmatched insights into the state and health of accelerated computing platforms to ensure maximum uptime and availability.
Scorpio Smart Fabric Switches are rigorously tested with leading PCIe hosts and endpoints in Astera Labs’ Cloud-Scale Interop Lab and customer platforms. Scorpio is now shipping in pre-production quantities for head-node PCIe 6 connectivity and ready to propel AI platform deployments utilizing industry-leading GPUs with reliable plug-and-play interoperability, advanced diagnostics and telemetry, and comprehensive design collateral.
Brian Kelleher, Senior Vice President of GPU Engineering, NVIDIA, said, “AI infrastructure requires the right balance of interconnect performance, efficiency, and capabilities to enable accelerated computing for AI workloads at scale. The new Scorpio fabric switch portfolio can support NVIDIA accelerated AI infrastructure deployments across various AI and HPC workloads.”
