Microsoft Cognitive Toolkit

Microsoft Cognitive Toolkit (CNTK): Advancing Deep Learning

Overview: Microsoft Cognitive Toolkit (CNTK) is an open-source toolkit tailored for commercial-grade distributed deep learning. While it's important to note that CNTK is no longer actively developed, its last major release, CNTK 2.7, remains a powerful tool in the deep learning landscape.

Key Features:

1. Neural Network Description:
   • CNTK describes neural networks through a directed graph, enabling users to realize and combine popular model types like feed-forward DNNs, CNNs, and RNNs/LSTMs.
2. Learning Algorithms:
   • Implements stochastic gradient descent (SGD) learning with automatic differentiation and parallelization across multiple GPUs and servers.
3. Language Integration:
   • CNTK can be included as a library in Python, C#, or C++ programs, or used as a standalone machine-learning tool through its model description language, BrainScript.
4. Platform Support:
   • Supports 64-bit Linux or 64-bit Windows operating systems.
5. ONNX Compatibility:
   • One of the first deep-learning toolkits to support the Open Neural Network Exchange (ONNX) format, fostering framework interoperability and shared optimization.

Use Cases:

• Library Integration:
  • Can be used as a library in Python, C#, or C++ programs.
• Standalone Tool:
  • Functions as a standalone machine-learning tool through its model description language, BrainScript.
• Model Evaluation:
  • The CNTK model evaluation functionality can be utilized from Java programs.

Pricing:

• There is no separate license required for using the 1-bit Stochastic Gradient Descent (1-bit SGD) in CNTK; it is available under the license provided in GitHub.

Compatibility:

• Supports 64-bit Linux or 64-bit Windows operating systems. Installation can be done via pre-compiled binary packages or by compiling the toolkit from the source available on GitHub.