Intelligent computing center network architecture is undergoing revolutionary changes, evolving from traditional leaf-spine architecture toward non-blocking networks.
## Limitations of Traditional Leaf-Spine Architecture
Traditional data centers use a leaf-spine two-tier network architecture, but face severe challenges in intelligent computing scenarios:
- **High bandwidth convergence ratio**: Traditional designs typically use 1:3 to 1:5 convergence ratios, which is seriously insufficient in AI training scenarios
- **Low cross-host communication efficiency**: Servers on different leaf switches must forward traffic through the spine layer
- **Complex RDMA deployment**: Requires dedicated network configuration to ensure lossless RDMA transmission
## Non-Blocking Architecture
### What is Non-Blocking?
Non-blocking architecture means any port to any other port in the network can communicate simultaneously without congestion due to insufficient internal switch bandwidth.
### Key Features
- **1:1 convergence ratio**: Each downlink port bandwidth equals uplink port bandwidth
- **Any-point-to-point connections**: Any server can communicate at full speed simultaneously
- **Supports large-scale RDMA**: Supports AI training clusters with thousands of GPUs
## Technology Implementation Paths
### Path 1: Upgrade to Higher Bandwidth
Upgrade leaf-spine architecture to 400G/800G port density, reducing convergence ratio by increasing bandwidth.
### Path 2: Clos Architecture Extension
Build larger-scale CLOS networks by increasing the number of leaf and spine switches.
### Path 3: Dedicated AI Network
Use dedicated networks for AI training scenarios, such as InfiniBand or RoCEv2 networks, separate from general business networks.
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Traditional data centers use a leaf-spine two-tier network architecture, but face severe challenges in intelligent computing scenarios:
- **High bandwidth convergence ratio**: Traditional designs typically use 1:3 to 1:5 convergence ratios, which is seriously insufficient in AI training scenarios
- **Low cross-host communication efficiency**: Servers on different leaf switches must forward traffic through the spine layer
- **Complex RDMA deployment**: Requires dedicated network configuration to ensure lossless RDMA transmission
## Non-Blocking Architecture
### What is Non-Blocking?
Non-blocking architecture means any port to any other port in the network can communicate simultaneously without congestion due to insufficient internal switch bandwidth.
### Key Features
- **1:1 convergence ratio**: Each downlink port bandwidth equals uplink port bandwidth
- **Any-point-to-point connections**: Any server can communicate at full speed simultaneously
- **Supports large-scale RDMA**: Supports AI training clusters with thousands of GPUs
## Technology Implementation Paths
### Path 1: Upgrade to Higher Bandwidth
Upgrade leaf-spine architecture to 400G/800G port density, reducing convergence ratio by increasing bandwidth.
### Path 2: Clos Architecture Extension
Build larger-scale CLOS networks by increasing the number of leaf and spine switches.
### Path 3: Dedicated AI Network
Use dedicated networks for AI training scenarios, such as InfiniBand or RoCEv2 networks, separate from general business networks.