Acronyms

CG

Acronym: Core Group.

A collection of CORE switches used to connect to specific SPINE switches within different SLGs within a datacenter.

“CORE” Network Layer / Switch  

The switches comprising the 3rd tier of a 3-tier Clos network.  “SPINE” switches connect to “CORE” switches.   The term applies to both Cluster Interconnected and Data/Storage networks and both Ethernet and IB networks.  Other NVIDIA literature refers to this layer as “Super Spine”.

“LEAF” Network Layer / Switch  

The switches comprising the 1st tier of a 3-tier Clos network.  “Nodes” connect to “LEAF” switches.  The term applies to both Cluster Interconnected and Data/Storage networks and both Ethernet and IB networks.  Other NVIDIA literature refers to this layer as “TOR” or “Top-of-Rack”. 

SLG

Acronym: Spine-Leaf Group.

A collection of SPINE and LEAF layer devices that are interconnected (all SPINE connect to all LEAF within the group).

SU

Acronym: Scalable Unit.

“SPINE” Network Layer / Switch  

The switches comprise the 2rd tier of a 3-tier Clos network.  “LEAF” switches connect to “SPINE” switches.  The term applies to both Cluster Interconnected and Data/Storage networks and both Ethernet and IB networks.