In the wave of digital transformation, the importance of network connectivity as the blood vessel for data flow cannot be overstated. The continuous development of network technology and hardware devices has changed the landscape of data centres and cloud computing. Traditional NICs have struggled to meet the growing bandwidth demands, security challenges, and the need for intelligent management. As a result, smart NICs have emerged. This article will delve into the features, types, and differences of smart NICs and how to choose the right option for a given use case.
What is Smart NIC?
Smart NIC, is a network interface card with integrated intelligent processing capabilities. Not only does it have the data transmission capabilities of a traditional NIC, but it also has a built-in high-performance processor (e.g., FPGA, ASIC, or smart chip) and a dedicated acceleration engine that is capable of performing complex data processing tasks such as data encryption, network protocol offloading, and traffic management. This design enables smart NICs to significantly improve network performance and security without increasing the CPU burden.
Functions
- Packet filtering and load balancing.
- Quality of Service (QoS) implementation.
- Storage acceleration, including Remote Direct Memory Access (RDMA), iSCSI, and NVMe over Fabrics.
- Security features such as firewall processing and Intrusion Detection System (IDS) checks.
Types
There is no fixed way to classify smart NICs, and they can be divided into the following types according to the form adopted for the design of smart NICs:
- FPGA-Based Smart NICs:
FPGA (Field Programmable Gate Array) based Smart NICs are highly customisable and programmable. They provide low-latency processing by offloading network tasks, such as packet inspection, encryption, or compression, directly onto the NIC. This flexibility makes FPGA-based intelligent NICs ideal for specific, specialised workloads such as financial trading systems where speed and low latency are critical. They support real-time updates to adapt to changing network requirements without requiring hardware changes. Example: Xilinx Alveo SmartNIC.
- ASIC-Based Smart NICs:
ASIC (Application Specific Integrated Circuits) based SmartNICs are designed for specific tasks and provide high performance and efficiency. These smart NICs are typically used for fixed-function tasks such as offloading TCP/IP processing, RDMA (Remote Direct Memory Access), or VXLAN encapsulation/decapsulation. ASIC-based smart NICs offer low power consumption and high throughput, making them ideal for cloud environments and hyperscale data centres. Example: Mellanox (NVIDIA) BlueField-2 Smart NIC.
- SoC (System-on-Chip) Based Smart NICs:
These smart NICs integrate multiple processing units (CPUs, GPUs or other accelerators) on a single chip, enabling them to handle complex networking and security functions independently. SoC-based smart NICs are suitable for workloads that require both computing power and networking, such as security functions like firewalls, DDoS protection and encryption. They enable tasks such as deep packet inspection, network virtualisation and telemetry to be handled directly on the NIC. Example: Intel Ethernet 800 Series with Dynamic Device Personalization (DDP).
- ARM-Based Intelligent NICs:
ARM-based intelligent NICs integrate ARM processors on the NIC itself to handle compute and network tasks. These processors offload workloads from the host server CPU, reducing CPU overhead and increasing system efficiency. They are widely used in virtualised, containerised and cloud-native environments where network traffic processing can be offloaded to the NIC. example: Marvell ARMADA-based NIC.
FS, as an NVIDIA partner, can provide NVIDIA Ethernet NICs, which are rigorously tested and certified to ensure full compatibility with a wide range of operating systems and hypervisors. In addition, FS offers a complete end-to-end solution supporting InfiniBand and Ethernet networking technologies, providing organisations with the infrastructure needed to support the development deployment implementation and storage requirements of the accelerated computing era.
Application Scenarios
High Performance Computing (HPC): Offload tasks to improve supercomputing performance.
Financial Services: Improve latency for time-sensitive applications such as stock trading.
Telecommunications: Optimising virtual network functions (VNFs) in telecoms networks.
Cloud & Data Centre: In the cloud and data centre space, smart NICs can significantly improve server network performance and security, reduce latency and packet loss, and improve overall quality of service and user experience.
Edge Computing: In edge computing scenarios, smart NICs can support low-latency and high-bandwidth data transmission requirements, while providing strong security protection capabilities to ensure data security and privacy protection for edge devices.
Internet of Things and Smart Cities: In the field of Internet of Things and Smart Cities, smart NICs can connect a variety of smart devices and sensors to achieve rapid data transmission and intelligent processing, providing strong support for city management and services.
Why is a Smart NIC better than a standard NIC?
Smart NICs reduce the burden on host server CPUs for routing, network address translation, telemetry, load balancing, firewalls, and more. It can block DDoS attacks and can be used to manage hard discs/solid-state drives in a similar way to a storage controller. In addition, SmartNICs are great solutions for offloading the data plane. Smart NICs may take on handling tunnelling protocols (e.g. VxLAN) and complex virtual switching. Its ultimate goal is to consume fewer host CPU processor cores while providing a higher-performance solution at a lower cost.
While standard NIC functionality is sufficient to support common network connectivity needs, it falls short when faced with data-intensive applications, virtualised environments, cloud computing and high-performance computing that demand higher performance and functionality.
Of course, there are times when we need to choose between a standard Network NIC and a smart NIC. At this critical juncture, FS offers a range of Intel-based Ethernet adapters to provide our customers with a cost-effective solution. Whether you choose one of our advanced NICs or select a Smart NIC, FS is ready to meet your networking needs and ensure that your network operates in an optimal, secure and efficient manner.
In August, FS introduced its latest portfolio of highly scalable, high-performance original Broadcom® Ethernet adapters. Included are seven Broadcom® NICs supporting a full range of speeds and feeds from 10G to 400G in a standard half-height, half-length form factor, providing enhanced, open, standards-based Ethernet NICs to address connectivity bottlenecks that occur as data centre bandwidth and cluster sizes grow rapidly.
How to choose Smart NICs?
In the ever-evolving world of networking, choosing the right NIC is critical and will have a direct impact on the performance, security and operation of your network and applications. Different use cases and requirements will determine the best choice for you.
Uses
Different workloads benefit from specific smart card features. For example, high-performance computing (HPC), financial trading, AI workloads, or video streaming may require a low-latency, high-throughput NIC with dedicated offload capabilities. Also, if you are managing a virtualised environment, make sure the smart card supports technologies such as SR-IOV (Single Root I/O Virtualization) and OVS (Open vSwitch) offload. These technologies help virtualise the network and reduce CPU overhead.
Speed and Bandwidth
Evaluate your current network speed requirements (10G, 25G, 40G, 100G or even 400G). For data-intensive environments, such as cloud data centres or AI workloads, high-speed smart NICs such as 100G or 400G may be required. Consider choosing higher-speed smart NICs or modular NICs that can be upgraded as your network expands to be future-proof.
Software and Compatibility
Ensure that the smart NIC supports the operating systems in your infrastructure, such as Linux, Windows, or FreeBSD. Choose a smart NIC that integrates with your existing network architecture. For example, if you are using a specific switch vendor, make sure the smart card is compatible with the vendor’s network management tools. In addition, some smart cards come with software development kits (SDKs) or APIs for customisation. If programmability is a priority, make sure the vendor provides good support for custom applications.
Power Consumption
High-performance smart NICs can consume a lot of power. For large-scale deployments, consider the power-to-performance ratio. ASIC-based NICs are typically more energy efficient, while FPGA-based NICs offer flexibility but may consume more power.
Security
If your organisation uses a zero-trust network model, choose a smart card that supports hardware-based security features such as encryption, IPsec offload, and trusted boot mechanisms. Some smart cards also offer real-time telemetry and analytics, enabling you to monitor network traffic, detect anomalies, and quickly respond to potential security threats.
Cost
The cost of smart NICs can vary widely depending on their features and capabilities. ASIC-based cards tend to be more affordable, while FPGA-based cards can be more expensive due to their customizability. Evaluate cost savings in terms of CPU offloading, power efficiency, and performance enhancements. While smart NICs may have higher upfront costs, they can reduce overall infrastructure costs by offloading critical network functions.
Latency and Throughput
Latency is a key factor in applications such as financial trading or HPC. Look for smart NICs that support low-latency packet processing and accelerated I/O to optimise real-time performance. Choosing smart NICs with high throughput capabilities ensures they can handle the expected amount of data without bottlenecks.
Conclusion
As a new chapter in the future of network connectivity, smart NICs are leading the innovation and development of network technology with their excellent performance, strong security capabilities and intelligent management features. In the future, smart NICs will also open up a wider range of application scenarios and market opportunities. In short, the emergence and application of smart NICs will bring more opportunities and challenges to the digital society and intelligent future.
