It runs one instance of the Linux kernel and has one IP address. Each node is therefore a complete computer. As such is must also contain RAM memory, disk storage and a network interface controller.
A network interface controller that does more than just the base OSI model protocols, notably in a programmable way.
- www.nextplatform.com/2022/05/11/intel-unrolls-dpu-roadmap-with-a-two-year-cadence/
- www.trentonsystems.com/blog/what-is-a-smartnic
- blogs.nvidia.com/blog/2021/10/29/what-is-a-smartnic/ "Some are using FPGAs which promise flexibility"
- www.servethehome.com/intel-ipu-exotic-answer-to-industry-dpu/ "Intel IPU is an Exotic Answer to the Industry DPU"
- 2022 www.datacenterdynamics.com/en/news/amd-to-buy-smartnic-firm-pensando-for-19-billion/ "AMD to buy SmartNIC firm Pensando for $1.9 billion"
- www.theregister.com/2022/06/14/alibaba_dpu_cloud/ mentions that Alibaba Cloud created their own.