Front-end shift
Dell’Oro noted that the data center providers supporting AI are emphasizing their investments in front-end networks.
A front-end network acts as the initial point of interaction in a computer system, handling tasks that connect users and devices to the core network infrastructure, often by offloading network-related processes from a main computer.
“Over the past year, concerns have grown in the market over spending levels in data center front-end networks, as most focus and budgets appeared to shift toward supporting AI back-end infrastructure,” said Sameh Boujelbene, VP at Dell’Oro Group.
She added that “consistent with our projections, spending on front-end networks remained strong to support growing capacity needs in AI clusters,” while “demand for public cloud services rose during this period of uncertainty.”
Ethernet is moving
Ethernet continues to be a dominant force in the front-end network.
Dell’Oro said that front-end networks continue to drive well in excess of two-thirds of overall Ethernet data center switch sales.
Specifically, 100/200/400 Gbps comprised over two-thirds of the data center switch sales in front-end networks, while 800 Gbps shipments are still destined predominantly in the back-end networks.
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