CNTK_2_0_Beta_1_Release_Notes

CNTK v.2.0 Beta 1 Release Notes

With this Release we start delivering CNTK V2 - a major upgrade of Microsoft Cognitive Toolkit (former Microsoft Computational Network Toolkit).

This is a summary of new features delivered with the first Beta release of CNTK V.2.0.

CNTK as a Library. Python and C++ API

From now on you can use CNTK not only by running CNTK executable and programming the Networks with BrainScript, but also as a software library.

The following interfaces are supported:

• Python
• C++

Read more about CNTK Library API in this Wiki Article.
Detailed description ofr the Python API can be found in CNTK Python API Documentation.

Python Examples and Tutorials (Jupyter Notebooks)

We have prepared a set of Python Examples and Tutorials (the latter implemented as (Jupyter Notebooks). You will find all information at these locations:

• Python Examples
• Python Tutorials (Jupyter Notebooks)

Protocol Buffers serialization

CNTK now supports Google Protocol Buffers serialization for Model and Checkpoint saving.

New automated installation procedures

With this release we introduce the possibility of automated environment configuration and installation of all CNTK pre-requisites for run-time.

See more on the new installation options at this Wiki page.

Fast R-CNN algorithm

CNTK now supports object recognition using Fast R-CNN algorithm.

CNTK Evaluation library

Please note that in this release there will be NO update of CNTK NuGet package. We will update the NuGet package in the forthcoming releases.

The following features are added to the CNTK Evaluation library:

• C++ Evaluation is now using CNTK API. Examples available under Examples\Evaluation\CPPEvalV2Client.
• Support of multiple threads running evaluation requests in parallel.
• Support of sharing model parameters with CNTK API.
• Support of evaluation on GPU device with CNTK API.