New Delhi,UPDATED: Feb 21, 2024 09:32 IST
Microsoft is reportedly developing a custom network card for its servers. Led by Pradeep Sindhu, an esteemed alumnus of IIT Kanpur and CEO of Fungible, the project aims to bolster Microsoft’s capabilities in the AI chip market while optimizing costs.
The initiative comes as Microsoft seeks to accelerate data transfer between its servers and streamline operations in its data centers. By designing its own network card, the tech giant aims to minimize reliance on Nvidia, a prominent player in the AI chip market currently facing heightened competition from rival chipmakers.
According to sources familiar with the project cited by The Information, Microsoft’s custom network card bears resemblance to Nvidia’s ConnectX-7 card, often bundled with its GPUs. While the development process may span over a year, Microsoft anticipates significant improvements in server efficiency and cost reduction, particularly in training OpenAI’s models on its servers.
Pradeep Sindhu, renowned for his contributions to the technology industry, serves as the driving force behind Microsoft’s AI chip project. A distinguished graduate with a B.Tech. in electrical engineering from IIT Kanpur, Sindhu holds an impressive academic background, including an M.S. in electrical engineering from the University of Hawai?i and a Ph.D. in computer science from Carnegie Mellon University.
Sindhu’s illustrious career includes pivotal roles at Xerox PARC and the co-founding of Juniper Networks, where he served as CEO and chief scientist. His leadership at Fungible Inc., a Silicon Valley-based technology company specializing in composable infrastructure, has further solidified his reputation as a visionary in the field.
Microsoft’s acquisition of Fungible in January 2023, valued at $190 million, underscored the significance of Sindhu’s expertise in data center technology. The integration of Fungible’s innovative solutions into Microsoft’s data center infrastructure engineering team aligns with the company’s vision to deliver high-performance, scalable data center infrastructure with reliability and security.
With Sindhu at the helm, Microsoft’s AI chip project signifies a strategic step towards advancing its capabilities in the AI chip market and reinforcing its position as a leading innovator in cloud computing and data center technologies. As the project progresses, Microsoft aims to leverage its internal expertise and external partnerships to drive advancements in server performance and data processing capabilities, ushering in a new era of efficiency and innovation in cloud computing.
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