Marvell introduces Game-Changing Structera CXL Line for Enhanced Cloud Data Center Performance

Marvell Technology, Inc. has just launched its latest product line, the Marvell Structera, which aims to address memory performance and scaling challenges in general-purpose servers. With the increasing demand for memory-intensive applications in cloud data centers, operators have been adding extra servers to boost memory bandwidth and capacity. However, this approach often leads to inefficiency in terms of cost and power utilization. Marvell’s Structera, built on the Compute Express Link (CXL) industry standard, offers a solution by enabling new architectures that efficiently add memory to general-purpose servers.

The Structera product line consists of two families of CXL devices, each optimized for different use cases. The Structera A CXL near-memory accelerators are equipped with server-class processor cores and multiple memory channels to address high-bandwidth memory applications like deep learning recommendation models (DLRM) and machine learning. On the other hand, the Structera X CXL memory-expansion controllers allow for the addition of terabytes of memory to general-purpose servers, catering to high-capacity memory applications such as in-memory databases.

What sets the Structera CXL device families apart is their support for four memory channels, integration of inline compression, and utilization of 5 nm manufacturing processes. These features make them the industry’s first to offer such capabilities. Additionally, Marvell also develops custom CXL silicon tailored to the unique architectures and workloads of cloud operators.

Let’s dive deeper into the use cases of these new CXL devices. The Structera A accelerators, powered by 16 ARM Neoverse V2 cores, are specifically designed to enhance the performance of memory-bandwidth-intensive applications like DLRM. This application involves both sparse and dense memory operations. The Structera A 2504 accelerator, the first product in this family, supports up to 200 GB/sec memory bandwidth and 4 TB of memory capacity.

To put it into perspective, let’s consider a DLRM server with a single 64-core processor. By adding just one Structera A device, the number of compute cores would increase by 25%, memory bandwidth would increase by 50%, total memory would increase by up to 4 TB, and memory bandwidth per core would increase by 25%. Not to mention, it would also improve memory bandwidth power efficiency. Adding two Structera A devices would further boost these numbers, increasing compute cores by 50%, doubling aggregate memory bandwidth, increasing memory capacity by up to 8 TB, and improving memory bandwidth power efficiency even more.

On the other hand, the Structera X product family focuses on expanding memory capacity per server to cater to high-capacity memory applications. These devices are the first in the industry to support four channels of DDR4 and DDR5 memory, enabling the simultaneous support of two server CPUs. This optimization maximizes power, space, and memory utilization. The Structera X 2404, for instance, allows operators to reuse DDR4 DIMMs from decommissioned general-purpose servers, reducing capital expenditure by thousands of dollars per server and addressing data center sustainability goals.

One noteworthy feature of the Structera products is their hardware-based inline memory compression. Marvell has adhered to the Google and Meta specifications submitted to the Open Compute Project (OCP), making them the first in the industry to incorporate this compression technology.

Marvell’s Structera CXL product line has garnered support from various companies in the industry. AMD, for example, sees the potential for innovation and transformative applications as CXL matures. Collaboration with Marvell ensures the delivery of performance and energy efficiency needed for next-generation infrastructure to power demanding AI applications. Arm also recognizes the benefits of Marvell’s Structera CXL controllers, combining compression technology with the performance and efficiency of Arm Neoverse V2. Intel, another ecosystem partner, appreciates Marvell’s contribution to the evolving CXL ecosystem and the utilization of memory expanders for capacity and bandwidth expansion solutions. Micron, too, values its collaboration with Marvell in advancing the adoption of memory expansion in the industry.

Excitingly, Marvell’s Structera A near-memory accelerators, Structera X memory-expansion controllers, and custom CXL silicon will be available for sampling in the fourth quarter of 2024. With its commitment to addressing the challenges faced by cloud operators, Marvell’s Structera CXL product line is set to revolutionize resource utilization and energy consumption for memory-intensive workloads in the cloud. As CXL continues to be a critical technology enabler, Marvell remains dedicated to delivering accelerated infrastructure across its compute, connectivity, and storage portfolios.

Background Information

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About AMD:

AMD, a large player in the semiconductor industry is known for its powerful processors and graphic solutions, AMD has consistently pushed the boundaries of performance, efficiency, and user experience. With a customer-centric approach, the company has cultivated a reputation for delivering high-performance solutions that cater to the needs of gamers, professionals, and general users. AMD's Ryzen series of processors have redefined the landscape of desktop and laptop computing, offering impressive multi-core performance and competitive pricing that has challenged the dominance of its competitors. Complementing its processor expertise, AMD's Radeon graphics cards have also earned accolades for their efficiency and exceptional graphical capabilities, making them a favored choice among gamers and content creators. The company's commitment to innovation and technology continues to shape the client computing landscape, providing users with powerful tools to fuel their digital endeavors.

  

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About ARM:

ARM, originally known as Acorn RISC Machine, is a British semiconductor and software design company that specializes in creating energy-efficient microprocessors, system-on-chip (SoC) designs, and related technologies. Founded in 1990, ARM has become a important player in the global semiconductor industry and is widely recognized for its contributions to mobile computing, embedded systems, and Internet of Things (IoT) devices. ARM's microprocessor designs are based on the Reduced Instruction Set Computing (RISC) architecture, which prioritizes simplicity and efficiency in instruction execution. This approach has enabled ARM to produce highly efficient and power-saving processors that are used in a vast array of devices, ranging from smartphones and tablets to IoT devices, smart TVs, and more. The company does not manufacture its own chips but licenses its processor designs and intellectual property to a wide range of manufacturers, including Qualcomm, Apple, Samsung, and NVIDIA, who then integrate ARM's technology into their own SoCs. This licensing model has contributed to ARM's widespread adoption and influence across various industries.

  

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About Google:

Google, founded by Larry Page and Sergey Brin in 1998, is a multinational technology company known for its internet-related services and products. Initially for its search engine, Google has since expanded into various domains including online advertising, cloud computing, software development, and hardware devices. With its innovative approach, Google has introduced influential products such as Google Search, Android OS, Google Maps, and Google Drive. The company's commitment to research and development has led to advancements in artificial intelligence and machine learning.

  

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About Intel:

Intel Corporation, a global technology leader, is for its semiconductor innovations that power computing and communication devices worldwide. As a pioneer in microprocessor technology, Intel has left an indelible mark on the evolution of computing with its processors that drive everything from PCs to data centers and beyond. With a history of advancements, Intel's relentless pursuit of innovation continues to shape the digital landscape, offering solutions that empower businesses and individuals to achieve new levels of productivity and connectivity.

  

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Technology Explained

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DDR4: DDR4 is a generation of Double Data Rate (DDR) dynamic random access memory (RAM) technology. It is a type of RAM that utilizes a higher clock frequency and is more power-efficient than its predecessors. As a result, it is capable of processing data more quickly than other RAM in the computer industry. Its increased speed and power efficiency are beneficial for applications such as gaming, rendering, and machine learning. It is designed for high-performance computing and enables faster access to stored information, resulting in better overall performance for the user. Furthermore, because of its low voltage requirements it requires less power consumption, making it an attractive option for many computer systems. DDR4 is set to become the primary RAM in most computer systems as the industry transitions away from its predecessors.

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DDR5: DDR5 (Double Data Rate 5) is the next generation of memory technology for the computer industry. It is a modern day improvement on earlier DDR technologies, with faster speeds, greater bandwidth and higher capacities. DDR5 enables higher resolution, seamless gaming experiences and faster data transfer rates, making it an ideal choice for high-performance computing and 4K gaming. With its greater RAM compatibility, DDR5 provides faster buffering times and raised clock speeds, giving users an improved overall work system. DDR5 is also optimized for multi-tasking, allowing users to multitask without experiencing a significant drop in performance, increasing the productivity of digital tasks. As an ever-evolving technology, DDR5 is paving the way for the computer industry into a new and powerful era.

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