Riding the wind of rebirth

The idea of ​​computing power matrix has also changed the traditional use of switches. Mr. Wu is also familiar with new application methods. The Institute of Technology has also been tracking new technologies at home and abroad. Although the computing power matrix has not yet become popular, it has gained attention within the military science and technology department because it simulated cavitation reactions for the Institute of Ship Propulsion.

The 04 machine is now mainly promoted and used by the military as a replacement product for similar products. It has been well received for its capability that is three times that of similar foreign products. The most important breakthrough is the distributed computing design.

This breakthrough actually had a little bit of similarity with Mai Xiaomiao's neural system, and the two sides had a very pleasant discussion. Although Zhou Zhi didn't quite understand what they were talking about, he knew that the topic was a bit off, so he coughed twice and said, "Uh, Mr. Wu, should we discuss the issue of fiber opticization of machine 04 first..."

"That question is not important." Elder Wu did not even look at Zhou Zhi, but waved his hand casually: "I didn't expect that there is such a big room for improvement in the distributed core algorithm. Xiao Miao, let's continue the discussion..."

This made Zhou Zhi speechless. It seemed that Old Wu couldn't tell the difference between the big and small kings...

Old Yu quickly tried to smooth things over: "Ahem, Old Wu, please stop for a moment. This is Zhou Zhi, the representative of AXA Fund and one of the actual initiators of the Tianqing Project. You have already seen the project plan, right? Our idea is to use the opportunity of the Tianxing Ground Network to implement the fiber opticization of Machine 04. This is the main purpose of asking you to come this time. You need to introduce the current status of the technology to them and see if it can ensure that our plan will not be delayed."

"The so-called fiber optic connection is actually to connect optical components around the core of the 04 machine." Wu Lao said, "Our country started to develop optical components relatively early. With the use of isolators, the signal error offset has been reduced to one-fifth of that of traditional equipment, and the anti-interference ability has been increased by three times. The current research focus is on photoelectric conversion devices, but the Shanghai Research Institute has already made a breakthrough. The next step is to increase research and development funds to transform experimental equipment into large-scale production."

"Compared to these minor changes, the improvement of core processing power is crucial for the 04 machine. Xiao Miao just made some suggestions on our distributed algorithm design, and we are about to start discussing it."

"How about this? I'll ask Lao Luo from the Ministry of Posts and Telecommunications to come over and explain this to you. You guys can make room for Xiao Miao and me, and we'll continue discussing the algorithm. I think there are a few areas that could be used as breakthrough directions."

"No, let's discuss it here." Old Yu raised his hand to stop him: "Old Wu, you want to teach us a lesson again. Aren't you tired of the loss you almost suffered in the review meeting?! Or are you afraid that we won't understand?"

"Then call Lao Luo over quickly." Lao Zhang said, "Then we can discuss it later. Comrade Xiao is still waiting here."

So you two are chatting about the same thing now?

When the co-developers from the Ministry of Posts and Telecommunications came over, Zhou Zhi couldn't help but smile bitterly, holding his forehead with his hand. How could this be as simple as a photoelectric conversion? !

However, the news is better news for the computing power network.

Because of the natural characteristics of Fibre Channel, it has the characteristics of serial high speed, low latency, and low bit error. It also has many characteristics such as strong anti-interference, strong expansion capability, and flexible topology. It is particularly suitable for Ethernet networking.

Moreover, fiber optic switches have begun to develop on two legs. One is the Ethernet switch, which is the type 04 that Mr. Wu focuses on, and the other is the FC switch specifically used for storage area switching.

Compared with traditional topology, which can only accommodate up to 126 devices, optical fiber can accommodate 126 devices in an arbitration loop and more than 6 devices in a switching structure.

Compared with the traditional physical topology that can only be implemented point-to-point, the physical topology of optical fiber can be point-to-point, arbitrated loop, packet switching and other structures, which has very flexible scalability.

Moreover, these extensibility features are very beneficial for storage area exchange.

"Chief Engineer Luo, excuse me for asking," Zhou Zhi asked, "Since storage FC switches have so many advantages, why haven't we promoted them in my country?" Chief Engineer Luo looked at Zhou Zhi as if he were a fool, "Do we have such a large storage cluster in China that urgently needs such equipment? There aren't many applications in this area even in the world right now. Everyone's energy is still focused on Ethernet networking. Developing equipment like the 04 machine is the mainstream."

Zhou Zhi suddenly realized that he had accidentally gotten ahead of the world.

Thinking that this was an opportunity to seize the initiative, Zhou Zhi immediately said, "If we need to acquire a storage FC switch with full intellectual property rights now, Chief Engineer Luo, how much investment do you think it will take to complete it?"

"Well..." Chief Engineer Luo looked at Mr. Wu who was frantically writing formulas on the blackboard with Mai Xiaomiao: "Old Wu! Xiao Zhou asked us if we are confident in developing storage FC? How much investment is needed?"

"You want to do storage FC? Oh, right... you want to connect computing equipment!" Mr. Wu looked as if he had suddenly realized something.

Zhou Zhi was completely speechless. So you don’t know why you were called here?

"Haha, my mind has been spinning on machine 04, and I haven't figured it out." Elder Wu patted his head and said, "Data FC is different from traditional switches, I think..."

"Wait, I don't want a simple traditional SCSI replacement product. I want a switch that can be stacked, has self-configuring ports, loop support, switch cascading, adaptive speed, configurable frame buffer, remote login, web management, and simple network management protocol, which can bring out the advantages of FC switching." Zhou Zhi said quickly: "Of course, the SCSI interface independent device service must be added to facilitate penetration with traditional Ethernet."

"With all these requirements added up, do you think it can be accomplished, Mr. Wu? How much investment is needed?"

"Well..." Elder Wu frowned and pondered for a moment: "To meet so many of your requirements, it would be best to have a low-level instruction set that is compatible with the FC switch, which can be used to load channel protocols, port protocols, and the self-speed adjustment, self-buffering, network management and other requirements you want."

"MINICOS?"

"Oh, yes, it's an instruction set similar to MINICOS. If we can get their authorization and let us use MINICOS, we will be able to develop storage FC within two years!"

"What about the funds?"

"It's much simpler if we don't consider the instruction set. How about spending another six million?"

"How about this." Zhou Zhi thought for a while: "We can do it in two ways. We can invest 10 million first, and develop storage FC on one hand and Ethernet FC on the other."

"Ethernet FC has basically been successful." Mr. Wu was a little excited: "If we can invest 4 million, we can produce a trial prototype within half a year!"

"No, no, no, we don't want the current Ethernet FC either." Zhou Zhi shook his head: "We want another one." (End of this chapter)