SSD combine Azure Cloud management with smart data management

For multi-functional management enabling smart data analysis and updates, data security, and remote control through the cloud, Innodisk has introduced the InnoAge solid state device (SSD). It is believed to be the first hybrid edge and cloud SSD, integrating native Microsoft Azure Sphere. 

According to Innodisk president, Randy Chien: “The InnoAge SSD is designed solely with the artificial intelligence of things (AIoT) architecture in mind, utilising data analysis, data security, and data management through Azure Sphere, to secure communications between all IoT and AIoT devices. This is a great milestone for both companies,” he said.

Microsoft Azure Sphere provides the Innodisk InnoAge SSD with an extra layer of security and remote monitoring with zero administrators required, says the company. Embedded on the edge device, the SSD will collect data and give commands for multi-function management through the cloud, such as error correction, firmware updates, data analysis, AES encryption, quick erase, destroy, write protect, secure erase, refresh, and recovery. The SSD is therefore suitable for manufacturing, surveillance, unmanned devices, vending machines and digital signage.

The InnoAge SSD provides an easy-to-use interface with a customised cloud management platform, says Innodisk, via in-house designed firmware that receives commands from Microsoft Azure Sphere, which in turn connects to businesses’ Microsoft Azure Cloud deployments. 

The InnoAge SSD can execute debugging messages and help monitor read/write behaviour patterns that optimise storage lifespan. Most importantly, says Innodisk, it can quickly revert to default settings from a cloud-based dashboard if the system crashes. 

The SSD is designed for both in-band and out-of-band network management, overcoming current recovery challenges where in-band management falls short by providing full recovery even when the operating system is down or damaged.

Innodisk says that the InnoAge SSD is the first SSD designed for remote recovery from its hardware and software innovation and is under patent-protection. 

https://www.innodisk.com
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Software accelerates artificial intelligence workloads

Artificial intelligence (AI) –specific tiles make up a library used by eSilicon in its 7nm FinFET newASIC AI IP platform. The AI Accelerator tiles can be configured to support an AI algorithm and map high-level AI workloads to the neuASIC platform and estimate power, performance, area (PPA) for the algorithm in the silicon implementation.

The combination of neuASIC IP and the AI Accelerator software allows designers to explore architectures to ensure the design will be within the target specifications. eSilicon explains that this approach supports changes to the algorithm or the package.

AI Accelerator is available in IP Navigator, eSilicon’s IP exploration and evaluation tool, at no charge. 

eSilicon provides complex FinFET ASICs, market-specific IP platforms and advanced 2.5D packaging. The ASIC-proven, differentiating IP includes highly configurable 7nm 56G/112G SerDes plus networking-optimised 16/14/7nm FinFET IP platforms featuring HBM2 (high bandwidth memory) PHY (physical layer), ternary content-addressable memory (TCAM), specialised memory compilers and I/O libraries. 

The neuASIC platform provides AI-specific IP and a modular design methodology to create adaptable, efficient AI ASICs. eSilicon serves the high-bandwidth networking, high-performance computing, AI and 5G infrastructure markets. 

http://www.esilicon.com
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Adlink takes pallets to the edge with robotic communication

Digital and analogue assets can communicate and collaborate, says Adlink, using its Edge and Vortex DDS edge IoT products. 

The company’s edge IoT products can add intelligence to conveyors. They also find missing inventory, automate bin picking, determine fill levels and connect robots  − all in real-time. Daniel Collins, Adlink IoT director for North America said: “By bringing artificial intelligence (AI) to the edge we’re helping to automate warehouse logistics in a quick and cost-effective way that increases productivity and employee ergonomics. One of our customers decreased the time it takes to build a pallet by 41 per cent, increasing total daily throughput by 200 per cent without disrupting the way employees are used to working.”

The Adlink Edge and Adlink Vortex DDS make pallets and robots intelligent so they can communicate with the world around them, enabling customers to increase pallet profitability, quality inspection, automation, and productivity within the distribution center and manufacturing floor. 

The company will debut its Edge IoT Smart Pallet Experience at Pack Expo, Las Vegas (23 to 25 September) in the Las Vegas Convention Center, Level 1, Lower South Hall booth 6387.

The immersive experience will demonstrate machine vision, AI and robotics technology for warehouse distribution and manufacturing with partners Amazon Web Services (AWS), Intel’s IoT group, and robot maker Rover Robotics. A game-like exhibit will encourage attendees to use hands-on edge IoT technology, stacking pallets against the clock for a chance to win a $100 Visa gift card.

Adlink Technology specialises in edge computing and has a mission to reduce the complexity of building IoT systems. Adlink provides the analogue digital link to make machine connectivity simple through edge hardware and edge software to form edge IoT solutions for manufacturing, networking and communications, medical, transportation, power, oil and gas, and government and defence industries. 

Its edge IoT includes embedded building blocks and intelligent computing platforms, fully featured edge platforms, data connectivity and extraction devices, secure software for data movement, and edge IoT apps to monitor, manage, and analyse data-streaming assets and devices.  

(Picture credit: AlexLMX)

http://www.adlinktech.com
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Intel Xeon Scalable processors are equipped for AI training

Up to 56 processor cores per socket and built in artificial intelligence training acceleration distinguish the next generation of Intel Xeon Scalable processors. Codenamed Cooper Lake, the processors will be available from the first half of next year. The high core-count processors will use the Intel Xeon platinum 9200 series capabilities for high performance computing (HPC) and AI customers.

The second generation, Intel Xeon Scalable processors will deliver twice the processor core count (up to 56 cores), higher memory bandwidth, and higher AI inference and training performance compared to the standard Intel Xeon Platinum 8200 platforms, confirms Intel. The family will be the first x86 processor to deliver built-in AI training acceleration through new bfloat16 support added to Intel Deep Learning (DL) Boost. 

Intel DL Boost augments the existing Intel Advanced Vector Extensions 512 (Intel AVX-512) instruction set. This “significantly accelerates inference performance for deep learning workloads optimised to use vector neural network instructions (VNNI),” said Jason Kennedy, director of Datacenter Revenue Products and marketing at Intel.

He cites workloads such as image classification, language translation, object detection, and speech recognition, which can be lightened using the accelerated performance. Early tests have shown image recognition 11 times faster using a similar configuration than with current-generation Intel Xeon Scalable processors, reports Intel. Current projections estimate 17 times faster inference throughput benefit with Intel Optimized Caffe ResNet-50 and Intel DL Boost for CPUs.  

The processor family will be platform-compatible with the 10nm Ice Lake processor.

The Intel Xeon Platinum 9200 processors are available for purchase today as part of a pre-configured systems from select OEMs, including Atos, HPE, Lenovo, Penguin Computing, Megware and authorised Intel resellers. 

http://www.intel.com
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