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Asterfusion and Marvell OCTEON Series: A Comprehensive Overview
Asterfusion is at the forefront of delivering cutting-edge solutions utilizing the Marvell OCTEON series, a family of data processing units (DPUs) renowned for their optimization in high-performance computing tasks, including hyperscale cloud workloads and 5G processing .Asterfusion’s lineup of Marvell OCTEON-based network devices encompasses open switches, routers, security gateways, firewalls, network monitoring tools, and SmartNICs. This includes the Marvell Octeon TX CN9670 series, the CN9130 series, and the latest Octeon 10 series, all of which offer significantly enhanced performance and reduced power consumption, providing high-bandwidth open-network solutions. Additionally, Asterfusion integrates a standard Linux operating system with a DPDK VPP software package to maximize efficiency and flexibility.
Marvell Octeon TX CN9670 Series
The Marvell OCTEON TX2 CN9670 series is a robust 24-core ARM64 open network appliance designed for high-density port applications. These devices are typically deployed in wireless infrastructure and network environments, including edge routers, switches, network monitoring systems, hardware firewalls, and security gateways.
Asterfusion Marvell Octeon TX CN9670 Series’ Applications & Scenarios
Our ET3000A network appliance is the ideal solution for a wide range of applications and scenarios. Here’s a glimpse into how our customers are leveraging the ET3000A to solve their challenges.
- Scenario Analysis 1: A customer in India utilizes the device for traffic analysis, leveraging its advanced processing capabilities.
- Scenario Analysis 2: A European customer employs the ET2424A as a BGP Router with full routes, requiring a software stack with FRR, CLIXON for control and management, and FD.io and DPDK for the data plane.
- Scenario Analysis 3: A North American customer uses it as a network packet broker, implementing advanced features to enhance network efficiency.
- Scenario Analysis 4: A Korean customer tests the ET3212A and 3424A models with QoS scheduling to optimize network performance.
Marvell Octeon CN9670 SmartNiC
The Asterfusion SmartNIC, codenamed Helium, is also based on the Marvell Octeon CN9670. It features a 24-core high-performance ARM processor and multiple integrated hardware-acceleration co-processors, making it an ideal programmable adapter card for accelerating workloads in data centers, cloud environments, Web2.0, security, and storage scenarios.
By offloading tasks from the main CPU, the SmartNIC allows servers to focus on computing and applications, thereby building high-performance programmable networks while preserving computing resources.
- Network Acceleration: Supports functions like VTEP, OVS offload, TCP offload, GRE/GTP tunnel encapsulation and decapsulation, reliable UDP, and 5G-UPF acceleration.
- Security Acceleration: Includes IPSec, SSL, XDP/eBPF, vFW/vLB/vNAT, DPI, and DDoS defense capabilities.
- Storage Acceleration: Offers NVMe-oF (TCP) and data compression/decompression support.
Marvell Octeon CN9130 Series- 16 ports Layer 3 switch with Powered by CN9130 DPU Cards.
This series stands out with its high-performance 16-port Layer 3 switch, incorporating two Marvell Octeon CN9130 DPU cards. This versatile device combines a 16-port Gigabit switch, a smart gateway, and an ARM server into a single, compact unit. It integrates the Marvell Prestera MV-DX2556 switching chip, which boasts a 72Gbps switching capacity, with two Marvell OCTEON TX2 CN9130 DPU cards, all within a notebook-sized enclosure.
At the heart of the CX102S-16GT-DPU-M-SWP is the Marvell Prestera MV-DX2556 switching chip, running the SONiC Enterprise Distribution-AsterNOS. This powerful combination supports a wide range of Layer 2 and Layer 3 functionalities, including advanced routing protocols like OSPF and BGP, virtualization technologies such as VXLAN and BGP-EVPN, and essential features like MLAG and IPv6. This ensures the device can handle complex networking tasks with ease.
Moreover, the CX102S-16GT-DPU-M-SWP is more than just a switch. It features two Marvell OCTEON TX2 CN9130 DPU chips, each equipped with Quad Core Armv8 Cortex-A72 processors and embedded encryption and decryption engines. These DPUs are tightly integrated via a 10G Ethernet backplane, allowing them to function as intelligent gateways, routers, and servers simultaneously when running on corresponding open software.The following images show the rich open software ecosystem supported by the two DPUs:
Empowering Edge Computing with Marvell OCTEON 10 Series
The Marvell OCTEON 10 Series represents a leap forward in processor technology, designed to elevate performance across a spectrum of advanced computing applications. With support for high-speed I/O interfaces like DDR5 and PCIe 5.0, and featuring optimized 56G SerDes technology, the OCTEON 10 CN102 models deliver triple the performance of existing solutions while halving power consumption. These processors are pivotal in 5G accelerator cards, underscoring their integral role in modern networking and cloud ecosystems.
Asterfusion’s Marvell OCTEON 10 CN102XX-Based Open Smart Gateway
The Asterfusion ET2500 is an open intelligent gateway crafted to meet the complex networking demands of contemporary enterprises. Powered by the Marvell OCTEON 10 CN102XX chip, this device integrates an 8-core ARM 64-bit Neoverse N2 processor, programmable Ethernet switch ports with a total throughput of 60 Gbps, and an embedded encryption/decryption engine also capable of 60 Gbps processing.
Enhanced by optimized DPDK toolkits and an optional AI hardware accelerator delivering up to 26 TOPS, the ET2500 enables comprehensive analysis and intelligent processing of network traffic from the network layer to the application layer.
- 8-core ARM 64-bit Neoverse N2 processor
- 60Gbps programmable Ethernet interface
- Embedded encryption and decryption engine
- A computing and switching Fusion Processor
- Integrated 1Tb switch with 4 x 10GE, 4 x 2.5GE and 8 x 1GE ports
- 16GB pluggable DDR5 SO-DIMM, up to 128G
- True inline crypto engine
- 2 pluggable modules with M.2 form, extending support 5G/LTE, WiFi6E/7, BlueTooth5.3, GNSS, TPM,etc
- 60Gbps intelligent data processing for routing, firewall, IPSec and SSL/TLS
- <60 Watt with FULL configuration and workload (w/o PoE)
- Optional AI hardware accelerator with 26TOPS INT8 inference performance
- Optional PTP module with 20ns accuracy and BC support
- Optional M.2 SSD up to 4TB
- Optional POE++ports with 150W power budget
Supporting a variety of Linux distributions, including Ubuntu, Debian, OpenWRT, and CentOS, the ET2500 fosters an open software ecosystem. This includes tools like VPP, UFW, OpenVPN, Snort, HAProxy, Nginx, and ntopng, allowing users to run multiple applications simultaneously on a single intelligent device, effectively replacing the need for multiple dedicated hardware units.The following images show the rich open software ecosystem supported by Asterfusion ET2500:
There’s no doubt that many people are curious about the advantages and scenarios of Marvell Octeon devices. We have provided a comprehensive list and summary of the following:
Advantages of Marvell OCTEON Devices
Marvell OCTEON devices are engineered with a suite of features that enhance performance, scalability, and efficiency across various networking and computing applications:
- Multi-Core Architecture: Designed for high parallel processing, essential for managing intensive networking tasks.
- High Performance: Optimized for scalable performance, ideal for data-intensive applications such as 5G, enterprise networking, and security appliances.
- Advanced Security: Incorporates hardware acceleration for encryption and decryption, ensuring secure data transmission.
- Flexible Networking: Supports a wide range of networking protocols and standards, making them versatile for diverse applications.
- AI and Machine Learning Integration: Newer models include AI and machine learning acceleration for smarter data processing.
- Energy Efficiency: Delivers high performance with low power consumption, crucial for modern data centers.
- Rich I/O and Connectivity: Offers extensive I/O options for connectivity with various devices and networks.
- Software Ecosystem Support: Compatible with multiple SDKs and operating systems, including Linux, for seamless integration.
- Optimized for Virtualization: Supports virtualized environments, enabling multiple virtual machines and network functions.
These features make Marvell OCTEON devices a preferred choice for high-performance networking and telecommunications applications, particularly in the context of the growing demands of 5G and cloud services.
Applications of Marvell OCTEON Processors
Marvell OCTEON processors are utilized in a variety of applications, especially in networking and communications:
- 5G Wireless Infrastructure: Powers base stations, edge nodes, and core networks, handling high data rates and low latency.
- Cloud Computing: Enhances server performance in data centers through efficient packet processing and virtualization support.
- Network Security: Deployed in firewalls and intrusion detection systems, requiring high throughput and low latency.
- Router and Switch Equipment: Integral in next-generation routers and switches, enabling advanced traffic management and QoS.
- Storage Systems: Used in NAS and SAN systems for fast data access and transfer rates.
- IoT Edge Computing: Facilitates processing close to the data source, reducing latency and bandwidth usage.
- Telecommunications: Supports telecom functions, including voice and video processing, and data routing.
Asterfsuion- Expert of Marvell OCTEON Open Network Platforms Since 2017
Asterfusion, a open netwok solution leader in the industry since 2017, has extensive experience with Marvell OCTEON products, helping numerous customers meet their unique needs. Trust us to deliver tailored solutions for your specific requirements—contact us today!
