Mellanox ConnectX-3 40GbE NIC, with optimized support within 6WIND’s networking software, and SwitchX 40GbE switch enable telecom OEMs and operators to develop and deploy faster virtualized networks for higher return-on-investment

Mellanox Technologies and 6WIND have announced a performance-optimized solution featuring the Mellanox ConnectX-3 Network Interface Controller (NIC) together with the 6WINDGate networking software. Combined with Mellanox’s SwitchX 40GbE switch, software, and cables, the complete solution enables Telecom Equipment Manufacturers (TEMs) and operators to accelerate the deployment of virtualized and non-virtualized networks and software defined networking (SDN) on standard high-volume servers.

Together, Mellanox and 6WIND are the first to provide a comprehensive end-to-end 40GbE interconnect solution for telecom data centers, delivering end users the highest bandwidth, performance and efficiency currently available in the market.

“The explosion of data over networks has created the convergence opportunity in the telecom space, forcing operators to build more efficient, higher bandwidth capable solutions,” said Amir Prescher, senior vice president of business development at Mellanox Technologies. “Mellanox’s ConnectX-3 40GbE NIC with 6WINDGate networking software and SwitchX based 40GbE switches provide Telecom operators with increased throughput and reduced CPU overhead in their deployments of application servers.”

“Because it solves critical network performance challenges for mobile infrastructure, 6WIND’s software has been selected by multiple TEMs who provide equipment deployed in commercial LTE networks worldwide,” said Eric Carmès, CEO of 6WIND. “The addition of Mellanox ConnectX-3 support within 6WIND’s enhanced Intel DPDK library as well as the 6WINDGate software, incorporating features such as SR-IOV and RDMA over Converged Ethernet (RoCE), enables improved CAPEX and OPEX in service provider networks through the virtualization of network functions and more efficient SDN management.”

“Network convergence represents a significant growth opportunity for telecom operators that need to improve performance by converging fixed, mobile and over-the-top (OTT) domains onto a single network,” said Werner Schaefer, general manager, OEM and Telecommunications, HP. “The new SX1018 HP Ethernet switch, built on the latest Mellanox technology, complements the HP BladeSystem c7000 enclosure with the industry’s first1 40 gigabit downlink to each blade server to maximize operations in the telecom industry.”

Mellanox’s ConnectX-3 is the leading NIC of choice for 40GbE server and embedded platforms. The Mellanox ConnectX-3 PMD, pre-integrated within 6WIND’s enhanced Intel DPDK library as well as within the 6WINDGate software, will be available in the second quarter of 2013.

Visit Mellanox Technologies, 6WIND & HP at Mobile World Congress (February 25-28)
• Visit Mellanox booth #5160 to see the live demonstration of Mellanox ConnectX-3 PMD solution running on HP servers.
• Visit 6WIND booth #7A87 to discuss the benefits of the joint Mellanox-6WIND solution.