What is Scaleup Networking?
Scaleup networking provides direct GPU-to-GPU connections for cache coherency. It allows multiple GPUs to act as one giant GPU and is the highest bandwidth, lowest latency network for AI. There are several different scaleup networks, including NVidia using NVLink, AMD using UALink, and many hyperscalers exploring PCIe-based solutions. PCIe has become an essential technology for the industry as it allows customers to be GPU agnostic.
Why is Scaleup Networking Important Now?
Up until NVidia’s Blackwell GPUs, scaleup networks were limited to a single enclosure. Blackwell enabled the industry’s first pervasive scaleup network at the rack level with NVL72. Multiple offerings and multi-rack solutions need to support other XPUs to serve the Agentic workload. 2025 is the year that we see PCIe enter the mainstream as one of those alternatives to NVLink. PCIe switching enables PCIe to expand its domain within the server and rack enclosure. Retimers allow copper links to extend further, and CXL allows additional value to unlock within the server, such as memory pooling. Within the next five years, scaleup networking will be a $10B+ market.
PCIe Switching
PCIe switching allows for PCIe to leave the confines of the server motherboard, allowing for the connection of more devices to other server enclosures. For larger GPU servers, PCIe can enable connectivity inside the server enclosure. As we look towards multi-server GPU deployments, PCIe switching can sit in the rack, similar to an Ethernet/InfiniBand switch, and connect the elements to different servers.
Retimers
PCIe retimers take in a signal, can extract the clock and the signal itself, and send a fresh and clean signal to extend the reach of the link. Depending on the type of copper used, retimers can take signals that only go a few inches and extend them to distances within a full rack. With time, PCIe retimers and switching used in combination can even deploy across multiple racks. Advanced retimers can also help provide telemetry data to help provide better insight to the customer.
Compute Expresss Link (CXL)
CXL is an exciting enhancement to PCIe that enables memory sharing and cache coherency. It enhances the server by allowing multiple elements to act like one sizeable virtual entity and allowing numerous hosts to manage the same device. In early deployments, this will eliminate wasted memory in servers and bring coherent memory to the system to enable larger AI models and better performance.
Credo’s Role in PCIe and AI Scaleup Networks
Credo invented the category of AECs (Active Electrical Cables) several years ago to address the growing need of extending the range and reducing the volume of passive copper cables in high-speed data center deployments. Widely deployed, Credo’s ethernet AECs have evolved and now enable AI scale-out architectures. While ethernet works well for scale-out, high relative latency makes it unsuitable for scale-up especially for LLM training. Enabled by their PCIe retimers, Credo’s PCIe AECs offer a low latency, high-throughput open solution well-suited for scale-up networks. Phil Kumin, AVP of PCIe products says, “We have already seen hyperscalers adopt this open architecture for Gen5 scale-up and we think momentum will accelerate with Gen6 and Gen7 deployment.”
Key Takeaways
PCIe will play an increasingly important role in AI scaleup networking in 2025 as customers look towards the technology for GPUs and XPUs. Many larger hyperscalers are looking at the technology as a way to be GPU/XPU agnostic and to help drive the need for larger logical system sizes as the industry moves from foundational training to agentic AI. The 650 Group predicts that agentic AI wave of DC infrastructure spending should exceed $1T over the next 4-5 years.
Whether it's supporting local communities, raising awareness for critical health causes, or investing in education and sustainability, Credo Cares is more than a corporate initiative—it's a testament to the power of collection action to create lasting, positive change.
Leading with Heart: Supporting the American Heart Association
One of the highlights of our community involvement this year was supporting the American Heart Association’s mission to fight cardiovascular disease. Bill Brennan, Credo's President and CEO, took on the distinguished role of 2025 Chairman for the Bay Area Heart Ball, a key event dedicated to raising awareness and funds for heart disease research. Thanks to Bill’s leadership and the tireless efforts of Corey Bentley, our team’s Impact Leader, we raised an impressive $500,000 for research, advocacy, and better public health policies—ensuring that heart health is accessible to all communities.
Running for a Cure with Project Purple
Our commitment to health extends beyond heart disease. This year, Sheng Huang, one of our dedicated colleagues, ran the London Marathon to raise awareness and funds for Project Purple, an organization committed to fighting pancreatic cancer. Sheng’s run was a tribute to Sherrill Dale, a beloved member of our team who tragically passed away from pancreatic cancer earlier this year. His determination, coupled with the support of our incredible team, helped raise nearly $60,000 for pancreatic cancer research, advancing the fight for early detection and curative treatments.
Feeding Communities with Second Harvest
Through our partnership with Second Harvest, we’ve made significant strides in addressing food insecurity in the Bay Area.Through volunteer efforts and contributions, we helped feed over 18,500 families, struggling in the Bay Area. The opportunity to volunteer and contribute to this important cause has shown us the deep impact of community collaboration, and we’re eager to continue making a difference in the future.
Giving the Gift of Life with Stanford Blood Drive
We also recognize the critical importance of education in shaping the future. Our team partnered with RAFT (Resource Area For Teaching) to build over 600 STEAM kits for local schools. RAFT creates educational materials for K-12 students using recycled materials, and these low-cost kits empower educators and inspire the next generation of innovators. By providing the resources for creativity and impactful learning, we are helping to build a brighter, more sustainable future
A Commitment to Continuous Giving Back
Credo Cares is more than just financial contributions—it’s about creating a culture of giving and community involvement that spreads to every aspect of our company. We are incredibly proud of our employee-driven initiatives, including raising nearly $20,000 for the Susan G. Komen Breast Cancer Foundation and engaging in physical activities like fun runs, walks, and wellness programs.
As we reflect on the first year of Credo Cares, we look forward to expanding our efforts to support charities, fundraisers, and initiatives that align with our values and the communities we serve. But most importantly, we will continue to empower our employees to get involved, create change, and leave a lasting legacy of goodwill.
Join Us in Making a Difference
Want to learn more about Credo Cares and how you can get involved? Visit our ESG page to explore our initiatives and discover how we’re creating a better tomorrow, one step at a time.