A radix network, also known as a butterfly network, is a type of switching network used in parallel computing. It's a non-blocking network that can connect multiple inputs to multiple outputs in a grid-like pattern without conflicts. A radix network can handle large amounts of data and is used in applications such as data centers and telecommunications
E.g - 32X the switch radix versus HDR InfiniBand
In many parts of the networks at hyperscalers, there is a need for more bandwidth, but there is also sometimes a need to solder more ports onto a switch ASIC and thereby increase the radix of the device while at the same time creating flatter topologies, thus eliminating switching devices and therefore costs from the network without sacrificing performance or bandwidth.
Switch radix refers to the number of ports per switch in a network, assuming all switches have the same radix.