---
title: "Connect Three DGX Spark in a Ring Topology"
publisher: "nvidia"
type: "playbook"
updated: "2026-03-20T03:40:39.104Z"
description: "Connect and set up three DGX Spark devices in a ring topology"
canonical: "https://build.nvidia.com/spark/connect-three-sparks.md"
---

# Basic idea

Configure three DGX Spark systems in a ring topology for high-speed inter-node communication
using 200GbE direct QSFP connections. This setup enables distributed workloads across three
DGX Spark nodes by establishing network connectivity and configuring SSH authentication.

# What you'll accomplish

You will physically connect three DGX Spark devices with QSFP cables, configure network
interfaces for cluster communication, and establish passwordless SSH between nodes to create
a functional distributed computing environment.

# What to know before starting

- Basic understanding of distributed computing concepts
- Working with network interface configuration and netplan
- Experience with SSH key management

# Prerequisites

- Three DGX Spark systems
- Three QSFP cables for direct 200GbE connection between the devices in a ring topology. Use [recommended cable](https://marketplace.nvidia.com/en-us/enterprise/personal-ai-supercomputers/qsfp-cable-0-4m-for-dgx-spark/) or similar.
- SSH access available to all systems
- Root or sudo access on all systems: `sudo whoami`
- The same username on all systems
- Update all systems to the latest OS and Firmware. Refer to the DGX Spark documentation https://docs.nvidia.com/dgx/dgx-spark/os-and-component-update.html

# Ancillary files

This playbook's files can be found [here on GitHub](https://github.com/NVIDIA/dgx-spark-playbooks/blob/main/nvidia/connect-three-sparks/)

- [**discover-sparks.sh**](https://github.com/NVIDIA/dgx-spark-playbooks/blob/main/nvidia/connect-two-sparks/assets/discover-sparks) script for automatic node discovery and SSH key distribution
- [**Cluster setup scripts**](https://github.com/NVIDIA/dgx-spark-playbooks/blob/main/nvidia/multi-sparks-through-switch/assets/spark_cluster_setup) for automatic network configuration, validation and running NCCL sanity test

# Time & risk

- **Duration:** 1 hour including validation

- **Risk level:** Medium - involves network reconfiguration

- **Rollback:** Network changes can be reversed by removing netplan configs or IP assignments

- **Last Updated:** 3/19/2026
* First publication

## More

- [Run on Three Sparks](/spark/connect-three-sparks/three-sparks-ring.md)
- [Troubleshooting](/spark/connect-three-sparks/troubleshooting.md)