Zeptonics to Debut Lowest Latency Switch
Zeptonics, a new Sydney-based vendor, today announced production of ZeptoMux, a switching device with a latency of around 130 nanoseconds, which it claims is the fastest in the world. It is expected to hit the market by August.
Using an Endace 9.2X2 data acquisition and generation card, Zeptonics measured its latency at 130 nanoseconds in the client–upstream direction, and 123 nanoseconds in the upstream–client direction.
Founded and largely staffed by former quantitative traders and trading system developers, Zeptonics was conceived to solve problems encountered during the principals’ trading careers. It has promised further low-latency solutions to follow.
ZeptoMux was inspired by what founder Matt Hurd says was an overabundance of network switches with high flexibility but not enough low-latency potential. "When designing the ZeptoMux, our engineers stripped out all non-essential functionality and created a streamlined ‘race car' device to replace the broad-purpose ‘sports car' switches currently used by the industry,” Hurd says.
This was done by removing the content addressable memory (CAM) circuitry that allows any port on a switch to communicate with any other port. CAMs substantially affect latency. Without it, this 10GbE 23-to-1 multiplexing switch is optimized for trading applications.
"We remove the need for that, by building a switch in which one port can talk to any of the other 23 clients, and any of the 23 client ports can communicate with the one," says principal Dave Snowdon. "However, the 23 client ports cannot communicate with each other. This allows us to remove the CAM, and speed up the switch enormously. This n-to-1 structure is ideally suited to an exchange or broker's needs, where often this is the desired paradigm: An exchange wants to be able to communicate with JPMorgan or Goldman Sachs, but doesn't want them to be able to talk to each other through the exchange's network."
Because it is not a traditional n-to-n switch, Snowdon points out, it does not carry all of the features of a traditional switch.
ZeptoMux has been in development since June 2011, and Zeptonics has been working since December on manufacturing, reliability, testing, latency optimization and management interfaces. Next out of its lab will be the ZeptoLink, a 50-port layer 1 device with a latency of around five nanoseconds. This electronic patch panel can be used for broadcasting market data, publishing volatilities, reconfiguring connections and performing other time-critical tasks in the trading ecosystem.
Only users who have a paid subscription or are part of a corporate subscription are able to print or copy content.
To access these options, along with all other subscription benefits, please contact info@waterstechnology.com or view our subscription options here: http://subscriptions.waterstechnology.com/subscribe
You are currently unable to print this content. Please contact info@waterstechnology.com to find out more.
You are currently unable to copy this content. Please contact info@waterstechnology.com to find out more.
Copyright Infopro Digital Limited. All rights reserved.
You may share this content using our article tools. Printing this content is for the sole use of the Authorised User (named subscriber), as outlined in our terms and conditions - https://www.infopro-insight.com/terms-conditions/insight-subscriptions/
If you would like to purchase additional rights please email info@waterstechnology.com
Copyright Infopro Digital Limited. All rights reserved.
You may share this content using our article tools. Copying this content is for the sole use of the Authorised User (named subscriber), as outlined in our terms and conditions - https://www.infopro-insight.com/terms-conditions/insight-subscriptions/
If you would like to purchase additional rights please email info@waterstechnology.com
More on Trading Tech
Ace high or busted flush? Digital Asset’s mixed fortunes mirror DLT adversity
The vendor hoped to remodel post-trade using blockchain technology—and it still might—but its bumpy progress raises questions over the future of DLT in finance.
This Week: BlackRock/Preqin, Trading Technologies, FIA Tech and more
A summary of some of the past week’s financial technology news.
Adaptive’s Aeron goes live on Microsoft Azure Marketplace
The messaging software used for building bespoke trading platforms is now available on Microsoft’s marketplace, making it accessible through major cloud providers.
Bloomberg, industry bodies push back on Cboe’s proposed OEMS rule change
Some industry bodies disagree with the options exchange’s proposal to carve its Silexx OEMS out of the SEC’s definition of an exchange facility and place it into a separate business line.
Waters Wrap: CME, Google and the pursuit of ultra-low-latency trading
CME Group and Google have announced Aurora, Illinois, as the location for the exchange’s new co-location facility. Anthony explains why this is more than just the next phase of the two companies’ originally announced project.
WatersTechnology latest edition
Check out our latest edition, plus more than 12 years of our best content.
Natixis refines in-house interoperability model
The French asset manager has refined its canonical data model over the last decade, as the interoperability movement continues to evolve.
Zeros and ones: Industry contemplates T+0 as the next step
With the North American transition to T+1 settlement complete, same-day settlement could be the next goalpost set, though skeptics are many.