COPENHAGEN: Napatech AS, the leading provider of programmable Smart NICs, announced that Lenovo, a tier-1 global server manufacturer, has partnered with Napatech to deliver 25 and 100 gigabit Ethernet programmable Smart NICs to data centers.

The solution is the result of joint product and technology development between Napatech and Lenovo to meet the most demanding requirements of the largest 5G mobile telecommunications operators and cloud service providers worldwide.

It dramatically improves the networking performance and CPU utilization of servers deployed in virtualized environments and is tailored specifically for the highest-growth applications, services, and use-cases driving demand for programmable Smart NICs.

The Lenovo Smart NICs are powered by field-programmable gate arrays (FGPAs), the most widely deployed acceleration technology for programmable SmartNICs.

The programmable SmartNICs include production-grade FPGA software that delivers line-rate throughput, ultra-low latency, and is packed with networking, security and virtualization features including open virtual switch (OVS) offload, live migration, hardware quality of service, telemetry, service chaining and Open Stack orchestration.

Starting with 5G telecom and cloud data center operators in the Greater China market, Lenovo together with Napatech plans to extend the SmartNIC solutions globally to the world’s top network operators.

Napatech estimates the revenue potential of the design win to exceed $10M USD over the life of the product, with customer orders ramping in the second half of 2021.

Tong Li, distinguished researcher and executive director, Converged Network Business Unit, Lenovo said: “Leading operators of large-scale datacenters routinely choose Lenovo. Extending our solutions to include programmable SmartNICs gives our customers greater performance, better server utilization, and a programmable acceleration engine to continually enhance their networks.”

Manoj Sukumaran, sr. analyst, datacenter compute, Omdia said: “Customers across market segments are adopting programmable Ethernet adapters and we expect one in three Ethernet adapters shipped will be a programmable NIC by 2024. These new programmable SmartNICs and software tools would allow Lenovo to offer a compelling server connectivity option to its customers.”

Ray Smets, chief executive officer, Napatech said: “Cloud and 5G telecommunications service providers are gearing up to handle a massive increase in mobile users, devices and applications in an increasingly always-on connected mobile world. They must achieve this challenge while improving operational simplicity, efficiency, and total cost of ownership.

Lenovo’s programmable SmartNICs offer network operators an easy way to meet all of these challenges with a powerful platform to grow and differentiate their products and services.”

Napatech helps companies to reimagine their business by bringing hyper scale computing benefits to IT organizations of every size. www.napatech.com

Lenovo is a US$50 billion Fortune Global 500 company, with 63,000 employees and operating in 180 markets around the world. Focused on a bold vision to deliver smarter technology for all, we are developing world-changing technologies that create a more inclusive, trustworthy and sustainable digital society. By designing, engineering and building the world’s most complete portfolio of smart devices and infrastructure, we are also leading an Intelligent Transformation –to create better experiences and opportunities for millions of customers around the world. https://www.lenovo.com