Broadcom has started shipping its latest networking chip, the Tomahawk 6, designed for AI infrastructure.

This new chip offers double the performance of its predecessor and features aimed at improving efficiency, according to Ram Velaga, a senior vice president at Broadcom.

The Tomahawk 6 is designed to support large-scale AI data centers, which may require over 100,000 interconnected graphics processors (GPUs).

Velaga said that the chip’s increased speed reduces the number of networking switches needed for operations.

Unlike Nvidia’s InfiniBand technology, the Tomahawk 6 uses Ethernet, a well-established networking protocol.

Velaga highlighted Ethernet’s adaptability for constructing large-scale AI networks.

This model is the first in Broadcom’s Tomahawk series to adopt a chiplet design, which combines multiple chips into a single package.

🔗 Source: Reuters

🧠 Food for thought

1️⃣ Ethernet and InfiniBand battle intensifies for AI networking supremacy

Broadcom’s Tomahawk 6 represents a strategic move in the competition between networking protocols for AI infrastructure.

InfiniBand currently dominates AI workloads with approximately 90% of deployments due to its ultra-low latency (as low as 100 nanoseconds) and high bandwidth capabilities that are ideal for AI training workloads 1.

However, Ethernet, Broadcom’s protocol of choice, is rapidly evolving to close this gap, with advancements allowing it to reach comparable speeds of up to 400 Gbps while offering greater flexibility and cost-effectiveness for large-scale deployments 2.

The statement from Broadcom’s SVP Ram Velaga that “All of these networks can be very simply done on Ethernet, you don’t need esoteric technologies” directly challenges Nvidia’s InfiniBand dominance in this high-stakes market.

Industry analysts project that Ethernet could capture up to 20 points of revenue share in the AI networking market by 2027, suggesting Broadcom’s strategic focus on Ethernet may position it well for future growth 3.

2️⃣ AI driving unprecedented scale in data center networking requirements