InfiniBand Switch Sales Experience Significant Growth in AI Networks Amid Ethernet Market Dominance

InfiniBand Switch Sales Surge in AI Back-end Networks

In the second quarter of 2025, InfiniBand switch sales in AI back-end networks saw a remarkable rise, according to a recent report from Dell'Oro Group. This report emphasizes the unstoppable momentum of InfiniBand technology, predominantly driven by the increasing demand for NVIDIA's innovative Blackwell Ultra platform, which is tailored for high-performance computing and artificial intelligence (AI) applications.

Factors Behind the Surge

InfiniBand's leap in sales is noteworthy, especially considering its performance capabilities, which align perfectly with the requirements of modern AI infrastructures. The report reveals that the rapid adoption of 800 Gbps InfiniBand switches is a vital factor contributing to this surge. Vendors are experiencing a robust demand for devices capable of sustaining the enormous data flows required by AI workloads.

Sameh Boujelbene, Vice President at Dell'Oro Group, stated, "The rapid ramp of NVIDIA's Blackwell Ultra platform has fueled strong demand for 800 Gbps InfiniBand switches, resulting in a significant surge in their sales during Q2 2025." He added that this transformation, while impressive, does not overshadow Ethernet's sustainable market lead, which has also demonstrated impressive growth.

Ethernet's Continued Dominance

Despite the growth of InfiniBand, Ethernet technologies continue to dominate the AI back-end network space. The Ethernet segment, led by major players like Celestica, NVIDIA, and Arista, accounted for nearly two-thirds of sales in this market. Boujelbene highlights that this leadership position is buoyed by increasing adoption from major AI clusters established by hyperscalers and the rise of new Neo Cloud Service Providers. Their aggressive deployments have solidified Ethernet's standing in AI architectures.

During this quarter, the bulk of Ethernet switch shipments and revenues were derived from 800 Gbps switches, solidifying their essential role in supporting sophisticated AI operations around the globe. This strong performance showcases the continued relevance and necessity of Ethernet technologies in a landscape marked by rapid advancements in AI and computing needs.

Market Insights and Analysis

The insights provided by Dell'Oro Group's quarterly report not only reveal the competitive dynamics between InfiniBand and Ethernet but also illustrate the broader landscape of AI back-end networks. This includes an extensive breakdown of revenue streams, shipment volumes, and average selling prices tailored for various switch speeds ranging from less than 100 Gbps to over 3.2 Tbps.

Such comprehensive data is crucial for manufacturers and businesses looking to understand market trends and strategize effectively. Moreover, the report delves into revenue distributions across different customer segments and geographical regions, including the top cloud providers in both the U.S. and China.

Conclusion

As AI technologies continue to evolve and gain traction, both InfiniBand and Ethernet will play vital roles in shaping the infrastructure that supports these advancements. The competitive landscape will undoubtedly prompt both technologies to innovate and adapt, ensuring that they meet the relentless pace of change demanded by the AI sector. For individuals and organizations interested in gaining deeper insights, Dell'Oro Group's report serves as an invaluable resource in navigating this dynamic market.