TensorRT-LLM

TensorRT-LLM is a framework for executing Large Language Model (LLM) inference on NVIDIA GPUs.

It integrates a Python API for defining and compiling models into efficient TensorRT engines and includes both Python and C++ components for runtime execution.

Additionally, it provides backend support for the Triton Inference Server, facilitating the deployment of web based large language model services. The toolkit is compatible with multi-GPU and multi-node setups through MPI.

TensorRT-LLM integrates with the TensorRT deep learning compiler and includes optimised kernels, as well as pre- and post-processing steps. It also incorporates multi-GPU/multi-node communication primitives. The software aims to provide high performance without requiring users to have deep knowledge of C++ or CUDA programming languages.

Python API

TensorRT-LLM offers a modular Python API that allows for ease of use and quick customisations. It enables you to define, optimise, and execute new language model architectures as they evolve.

Features and Optimizations

• Streaming of Tokens: Handles token streaming efficiently.

• In-flight Batching: Allows for optimised scheduling to manage dynamic loads.

• Paged attention: Efficiently manages attention mechanisms in large models.

• Quantization: Supports reduced-precision inference for better performance.

Performance Improvements

TensorRT-LLM, when used with NVIDIA Hopper architecture, significantly accelerates LLM inference. For example, it can increase throughput by 8x compared to the A100 GPU. It also shows 4.6x speedup for the Llama 2 language model by Meta.

TCO and Energy Efficiency

The software not only improves computational efficiency but also substantially reduces the total cost of ownership (TCO) and energy consumption. An 8x performance speedup results in a 5.3x reduction in TCO and a 5.6x reduction in energy costs compared to the A100 baseline.

Advanced Scheduling Technique: In-flight Batching

TensorRT-LLM includes an optimized scheduling feature called "in-flight batching," which allows the runtime to immediately start executing new requests even before the previous batch is completed. This enables better utilization of GPU resources.

Quantization and FP8 Support

NVIDIA H100 GPUs with TensorRT-LLM support a new 8-bit floating-point format (FP8) that allows for more efficient memory usage during inference without sacrificing accuracy. This is done using NVIDIA's Hopper Transformer Engine technology.

Conclusion and Future Implications

The growing ecosystem of LLMs requires efficient solutions for deployment and scaling, and TensorRT-LLM aims to meet this need. The software provides a robust, scalable, and cost-effective solution for businesses looking to deploy large language models.