MUMBAI: Indian Institute of Technology Hyderabad (IITH) has launched the Marvell® Data Acceleration and Offload Research Facility in partnership with Marvell Technology, Inc. (NASDAQ: MRVL), a prominent provider of data infrastructure semiconductor solutions.
This innovative centre focuses on advancing Network, Storage and Security technologies to improve accelerated data infrastructure performance.
This first-of-its-kind global facility provides students, researchers and industry professionals with access to advanced Marvell technologies, including Data Processor Units (DPUs), Switches, Compute Express Link (CXL) Processors and Network Interface Controllers (NICs).
These tools are crucial for enhancing data security, movement, management and processing across AI clusters, Cloud environments and Networks. Research shows that AI/ML processing experiences up to one-third time delays waiting for network access, which this initiative seeks to address.
The facility features Marvell’s comprehensive software solution frameworks, optimised for developing solutions utilising integrated packet processing, cryptography and AI/ML accelerators within Marvell silicon.
The facility’s establishment follows the MLNetSec Workshop, jointly hosted by IITH and Marvell at the 26th International Conference on Distributed Computing and Networking (ICDCN) this year.
The workshop explored challenges in AI, Networking and Cryptography, highlighting the significance of accelerated compute solutions in academic and industrial research.
IITH and Marvell plan to continue their collaboration through joint courses, practical training and research initiatives using the facility’s advanced infrastructure. They intend to organise specialised workshops, conferences and training sessions to encourage innovation and support future tech leaders in developing solutions for evolving data infrastructure needs.
Prof. BS Murty, Director, IITH praised the team and noted that this partnership supports IITH’s goal of advancing technological research and education, placing the institute at the forefront of accelerated infrastructure development.
Cary Ussery, Senior Vice President at Marvell, stated: “The partnership between Marvell and IIT Hyderabad exemplifies the impact of academia-industry collaboration. By providing access to cutting-edge technologies, this initiative accelerates advancements in AI, Networking, and Storage, empowering the next generation of tech leaders to drive breakthroughs in data infrastructure.”
Prasun Kapoor, Associate Vice President of Custom Compute and Storage at Marvell, said: “As cloud and AI infrastructure grow in complexity and scale, the need for innovation in technologies managing data flow between Servers, Processors, and Devices becomes paramount.
Technologies such as DPUs, NICs, and interconnects will play a significant role in the evolution of AI. We look forward to deepening our collaboration with IIT Hyderabad and witnessing the outcomes of this initiative.”
Prof. Antony Franklin, Head of the Department of Computer Science and Engineering at IITH, emphasised the facility’s importance: “This research facility enables our students and researchers to engage with advanced technologies.
It also establishes a platform for interdisciplinary research in emerging fields like AI/ML, Accelerated computing, Advanced encryption algorithms, and Network acceleration, paving the way for the next generation of technological innovation.”
Dr. Praveen Tammana, Assistant Professor, Department of Computer Science and Engineering at IITH, observed: “The research facility will enable Marvell and IITH to conduct cutting-edge research and bridge the skill gap at the intersection of AI, Systems, Security, and Networks.”