Cisco Unveils Smart Switches for AI-Driven Data Centers - TECHx Media Cisco Unveils Smart Switches for AI-Driven Data Centers

TECHx

18-03-2025

Cisco Unveils Smart Switches for AI-Driven Data Centers
Cisco (NASDAQ: CSCO) has introduced a family of data center Smart Switches that are set to disrupt traditional network designs, offering an all-in-one solution for networking and security. Powered by programmable AMD Pensando™ data processing units (DPUs), these switches serve as multifunctional service-hosting devices, transforming data center architectures for improved efficiency and simpler designs. Cisco's Smart Switch with Cisco Hypershield is the first integrated offering, reimagining data center security by embedding it directly into the network fabric.
As AI workloads surge, the complexity of managing data centers has grown significantly. To address these challenges, data center operators need a more efficient way to design, build, and deploy infrastructure that supports AI applications, whether in centralized hyperscale facilities or edge locations. This new approach requires simplified data center infrastructures that combine compute, storage, networking, and security, all while enabling automated and predictive operations.
'Data center infrastructure must be reimagined to meet the demands of AI workloads that are far more complex than traditional enterprise tasks,' said Jeetu Patel, EVP and Chief Product Officer at Cisco. 'Relying on upgraded infrastructure with higher speeds doesn't address the needs of modern data centers, which require integrated acceleration of network and security services.'
Soni Jiandani, senior vice president and general manager of Networking Technology and Solutions Group at AMD, emphasized the collaboration with Cisco, stating, 'Our partnership with Cisco enables enterprises to deliver high-capacity throughput and advanced network security without compromising workload performance, paving the way for secure and intelligent data centers.'
Cisco Smart Switches: A New Era of Data Center Efficiency
With the rapid growth of AI, organizations are faced with increased demands for power, compute, and networking. Traditional data center architectures led to complexity as new services required additional devices and security policies had to be enforced with each new workload. Cisco Smart Switches simplify this by integrating services directly into the data center fabric, eliminating the need for additional hardware.
The Cisco Smart Switch combines Cisco's networking technology, Silicon One, and AMD DPUs, offering customers scalability, adaptability, and cost savings through hardware consolidation, reduced power consumption, and operational simplicity. The switch features two processing engines for stable data transfer and agile security processing, ensuring optimal performance by intelligently steering traffic between them. With capabilities such as stateful segmentation, IPSec encryption, DDoS protection, and enhanced telemetry, these switches will redefine data center management.
Revolutionizing Data Center Security with Hypershield
Cisco is taking a revolutionary approach to data center security with its integrated Smart Switch and Hypershield solution. This advanced, AI-native security architecture is embedded directly into the data center fabric to provide:
Embedded security, reducing the need for additional appliances by creating a 'micro perimeter' around each workload.
Autonomous segmentation policies that automatically update security enforcement points, ensuring consistent security with minimal manual intervention.
Real-time policy updates and management, reducing risks and enhancing security posture.
Consistent policy enforcement across multiple domains, with management supported by Cisco Hybrid Mesh Firewall.
This fusion of security directly into the data center network, combined with Cisco Firewall Threat Defense and new AI Defense capabilities, makes the Hybrid Mesh Firewall the first solution optimized to protect AI applications in both data centers and the public cloud.
General Availability
The Cisco N9300 Smart Switch, featuring 24 100G ports, is set for shipment in Spring 2025. Additionally, a top-of-rack model with 48 25G ports, two 100G ports, and six 400G ports will be available by Summer 2025.