Nvidia highlights networking innovations at GTC 2025

Nvidia has once again showcased its advancements in networking at the GTC event. The company's new Quantum-X and Spectrum-X switches aim to improve how data centers operate. Nvidia's CEO, Jenson Huang, emphasized that data centers should be seen as a unified system, similar to a single computer. In 2024, Nvidia launched their Blackwell GB200 GPU AI accelerator, which works with the Grace CPU in a new server setup. While this server is impressive, the focus is on the NVLink switch that connects all GPUs, allowing them to function together as one. This year, Nvidia is enhancing networking across data centers with new optical networking solutions. Nvidia worked with industry partners to develop the Quantum-X InfiniBand and Spectrum-X Ethernet switches, which use co-packaged optics. They also introduced new liquid-cooled networking switches, essential for high-demand AI data centers. Although optical networking boosts performance, it also comes with challenges like high power and space requirements. The new Nvidia switches offer significant advantages over traditional options. They promise to reduce the number of lasers used, improve power efficiency, and enhance signal quality. These improvements are crucial to meet the growing demands of advanced AI applications. Nvidia plans to start mass production of its co-packaged optical solutions later this year, overcoming past manufacturing challenges. The company collaborates with several partners to achieve this goal. Alongside networking solutions, Nvidia announced new data center GPUs and AI development systems, but networking remains the highlight of the event for the second consecutive year.