Napatech Link^™ SmartNICs
for Reconfigurable Computing

Hardware Product Overview

In a world of Reconfigurable Computing it is the software that defines the use case functionality, but the wrong choice of hardware can seriously limit the overall benefits and reliability of the solution.

Napatech’s Link^™ SmartNICs are designed to meet all the standards of modern servers, and with a rapidly changing world of Data Center and hyperscale deployments in mind.

PEACE OF MIND
The first thing on everybody’s mind when selecting a hardware solution is the question of reliability. Software can be patched if faulty, but hardware needs a physical replacement. You need to get it right the first time!

When Napatech is designing hardware, reliability is first and foremost in everything we do. Our customers need solutions that will support their use cases without worry. Our long-term loyal customer base proves this point.

KEEP YOUR COOL
The power of FPGA technology is only available if you can harness the power, and that takes cooling! In simple terms: The more you can cool, the more power you can burn, and the more functionality you can run on your Link^™ SmartNIC. This translates into real economical benefits, as you can fit more compute power into server rack space with a good cooling solution.

Napatech designs Link^™ SmartNICs with both active and passive cooling. The actively cooled solutions provide a 100% self-contained cooling solution with NO requirements for a specific server airflow. This solution exhales the majority of dissipated energy outside the server through front plate cutouts. This means that customers have the freedom to choose server designs without worrying about cooling capacity. To meet telecom requirements, the passively cooled solutions are NEBS-compliant.

GOOD VIBRATIONS
Modern servers have quick release PCI fastening mechanisms that allow for easy change of Link^™ SmartNICs. Unfortunately, some of these designs are exposing PCI cards to vibration in the slot during transportation. To make sure that the hardware survives this environment, Napatech hardware is designed to meet the highest standards.

STANDARDS OF EXCELLENCE
Understanding the in’s and out’s of modern servers starts with the standards, but continues into tackling the hard realities of compromises and exceptions made to fit a certain form factor or price point. The more the SmartNIC hardware adhere to established industry standards, the easier it will be for customers to integrate it in their solution.

Napatech is on the PCI-SIG integrators list as a testimony to Napatech’s efforts to make sure that our customers do not need to worry about the hardware, and can focus on their software solution.

LINK TO THE FUTURE
Napatech offers a whole range of FPGA software options for the Link^™ hardware, that address use cases within:
• Network Security
• Network Quality of Experience Assurance
• Network & Security Forensics
• Application Performance Management (APM)
• Network Test & Measurement
• Cyber Defense
• vSwitch Acceleration
• Virtual Network Monitoring

[1] Requires bifurcation support from the server
[2] The max and idle power dissipation values indicate the capabilities of the hardware platform. The actual power consumption is dependent on the FPGA software payload.
[3] Features depend on software support. Please refer to product briefs for LinkTM Software.

[1] Requires bifurcation support from the server
[2] The max and idle power dissipation values indicate the capabilities of the hardware platform. The actual power consumption is dependent on the FPGA software payload.
[3] Features depend on software support. Please refer to product briefs for LinkTM Software.