Cornelis Networks is making waves by reviving the Omni-Path interconnect technology, initially developed by Intel and now emerging with a robust 400Gbps solution. It has been five years since Omni-Path’s presence was predominantly at a 100Gbps but now the CN5000 series aims to challenge Nvidia’s InfiniBand directly, specifically targeting the AI and HPC markets. Cornelis plans to deliver a compelling price-to-performance ratio that undercuts Nvidia. These new CN5000 switches and NICs can potentially scale up to networks accommodating over 500,000 endpoints, maintaining near-linear performance. With options for both air and liquid cooling, the CN5000 line offers versatility in deployment for modern data center demands.

The CN5000 superNICs come equipped with options for either single or dual 400Gbps ports, leveraging a PCIe 5.0 interface, aligning closely against Nvidia’s offerings but positioned at a competitive edge in cost. Additionally, Cornelis Networks has integrated advanced optical and copper networking capabilities to enhance its interconnect ecosystem.

Cornelis’s approach aligns with emerging network architecture trends, focusing on simplified cabling and reduced transceiver needs. Its ambitious plans extend to developing 800Gbps systems compatible with the evolving Ultra Ethernet Consortium standards, indicating a future-proof path that aims to adopt Ethernet-based interactions.

CEO Lisa Spelman emphasizes the strategic focus on application performance with the network’s role in acceleration. As Omni-Path integrates with standard Ethernet, Cornelis creates a flexible yet powerful solution, paving the road towards Ultra Ethernet. The company expects this transition to unfold by 2027, underscoring Cornelis’s commitment to innovation in high-performance networking solutions.