a16z Podcast How 'Hyperscalers' are Innovating — and Competing — in the Data Center
Dec 10, 2021
Martin Casado, a pioneer in software-defined networking and co-founder of Nicira, teams up with Nick McKeown, a Stanford professor and fellow Nicira co-founder, to delve into the evolution of hyperscale data centers. They discuss how the shift from fixed-function to programmable chips is transforming performance and efficiency. The duo highlights the major players like Amazon and Google, exploring advancements in network programmability and the industry’s move to open-source solutions. They also touch on the revolutionary potential of 5G technology.
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Data Center Traffic Explosion
- Data centers now handle more internal traffic than the entire public internet across the US.
- This shift has refocused the industry on serving the massive internal communication needs of data centers.
Hyperscalers and Their Suppliers
- Hyperscalers, like Google, Amazon, and Facebook, operate massive data centers with vast server networks.
- They are served by a network of technology suppliers for whom these hyperscalers are now major customers.
Data Center Evolution
- Early data centers used off-the-shelf computers and networking equipment.
- Hyperscalers now use powerful single switch ASICs that can process vast amounts of data at immense speeds.