New switches with embedded AMD Pensando DPUs
are highly adaptive and scalable for AI demands—enabling
enterprises to add services as needs evolve
News Summary
- Cisco announces the Cisco N9300 Series Smart Switches with a
new class of intelligent networking silicon alongside embedded
DPUs, reimagining AI data center designs.
- Cisco Hypershield will be offered as the first service
available embedded on the new switches; narrowing the gap between
security and networking layers by converging them into a single
solution.
- Featuring Cisco Silicon One E100 and AMD Pensando DPUs, complex
data processing tasks can be offloaded to the DPUs on the switch to
improve both network architecture and security posture.
AMSTERDAM, Feb. 11,
2025 /PRNewswire/ -- CISCO LIVE -- Today, Cisco
(NASDAQ: CSCO) announced a family of data center Smart Switches,
disrupting traditional data center network design by enabling
networking and security services in a compact all-in-one solution.
Utilizing programmable AMD Pensando™ data processing units
(DPUs), the switch functions as a high-capacity, multifunctional
service-hosting device, architecturally transforming data centers
to simplify their design and make them more efficient. Cisco's
first integrated offering, the Smart Switch with Cisco Hypershield,
introduces a new approach to securing AI data centers by fusing
security directly into the network fabric.
As AI workloads multiply, building and managing data centers has
become much more complex. Data center operators require a simpler
way to design, build, and deploy infrastructure to fully benefit
from AI. AI applications must sit where they are needed, whether a
massive large language model sitting in centralized hyperscale
facilities or a network drone monitoring crop irrigation at the
very edge of the network. This shift in where data is created,
accessed, and stored requires a new type of simplified data center
infrastructure–one that integrates compute, storage, networking,
and security in new ways, and allows for automated and predictive
operations via simplified management platforms.
"Data center infrastructure needs be reimagined for both AI
training and inferencing workloads that dwarf even the largest
enterprise jobs of the past," said Jeetu
Patel, EVP and Chief Product Officer, Cisco. "Simply
upgrading data center infrastructure with higher 'speeds and feeds'
switches does not address the requirements of modern data centers,
which require acceleration of security and network services
natively within the data center fabric."
"Cisco's innovative approach to data center design, leveraging
leadership AMD Pensando DPUs, marks a significant milestone in
transforming enterprise infrastructure to address the evolving
security demands of data center networks while dealing with the
fast paced AI deployments," said Soni
Jiandani, senior vice president and general manager,
Networking Technology and Solutions Group, AMD. "Our collaboration
with Cisco enables enterprises to achieve high-capacity throughput
and impressive network security without compromising on workload
performance on Cisco UCS servers or Hypershield enabled platforms.
Together, we are paving the way for a new era of intelligent,
adaptive, and secure data centers."
Cisco Smart Switches: a Game Changer
As AI drives
rapid growth, organizations must manage significantly increased
power, compute, and networking demands. In traditional data center
architectures, when each new service required a specific device,
growth led to complexity. It also required adding, changing, or
upgrading the enforcement of security policies with each new
service or workload. Cisco Smart Switches offer a simpler, more
efficient and extensible architecture by integrating services
directly with the data center fabric, rather than bolting them on
top.
By combining Cisco data center networking, Silicon One, and AMD
DPUs, customers can scale services and adapt quickly to evolving
business needs, all without the need for any additional hardware.
The switches feature two processing engines: a high-performance
network processor for stable data transfer and a network services
sidecar for agile security processing. Traffic is intelligently
steered between the two engines for optimal performance. This
architectural shift drives cost savings through hardware
consolidation, reduced power consumption, and operational
simplicity. Cisco Smart Switches embrace all the capabilities of a
NX-OS switch and management through Nexus Dashboard, and will
unlock a diverse set of use cases like stateful segmentation, IPSec
encryption, enhanced telemetry, DDoS protection and more.
Reimagining Data Center Security with Smart Switch and
Hypershield
The first integrated service will combine Cisco
Smart Switches and Hypershield to form a new approach to data
center security. It will combine an advanced, AI-native,
hardware-accelerated, distributed security architecture directly
within the data center fabric to:
- Provide security that's melted into the data center
network. Hypershield embedded in the switching layer reduces
the number of appliances and allows data center operators to create
a 'micro perimeter' around each service that makes up a
workload.
- Enable autonomous segmentation policies. Customers can
benefit from automatically updating security policies to the right
enforcement points, ensuring consistent security with minimal
manual effort.
- Keep security posture up to date reducing disruption.
Organizations can minimize risks and drive policy lifecycle
management at scale by using self-qualifying policy updates before
deployment.
- Easily extend consistent policy enforcement across multiple
domains. With the ability to manage policies consistently
across a library of enforcement points in the cloud, on-prem, and
on traditional next-gen firewalls, customers now have a single
management system with Cisco Hybrid Mesh Firewall.
- Manage network and security workflows with persona-driven
operations. The solution seamlessly integrated into existing
processes, and supports common and separate workflows for NetOps,
SecOps, or NetSecOps teams using a single solution to maintain
connectivity and security.
Fusing security directly into the data center network changes
the fundamentals of data center security. Combined with Cisco
Firewall Threat Defense, new AI Defense capabilities, and Security
Cloud Control, Cisco will offer the first Hybrid Mesh Firewall
optimized to protect AI applications in the data center and public
cloud.
General Availability
The first available Cisco N9300
Smart Switch, which features 24 100G ports, is targeted for
shipment in spring 2025. A top-of-rack model, which will feature 48
25G ports, two 100G ports, and six 400G ports, is targeted for
first availability in summer 2025.
Additional Resources:
- Executive blog post: Meeting the Moment: Innovation for
Unprecedented Times, Jeetu
Patel
- Executive blog post: Cisco Silicon One Powers New Service
Provider and Enterprise Data Center Solutions, Martin Lund
- Blog Post: Fortify Your Data Center with New Cisco N9300 Series
Smart Switches, Murali Gandluru and
Rick Miles
- For more information on Cisco Live EMEA, please visit The
Newsroom
About Cisco
Cisco (NASDAQ: CSCO) is the worldwide technology leader that is
revolutionizing the way organizations connect and protect in the AI
era. For more than 40 years, Cisco has securely connected the
world. With its industry leading AI-powered solutions and services,
Cisco enables its customers, partners and communities to unlock
innovation, enhance productivity and strengthen digital
resilience. With purpose at its core, Cisco remains committed
to creating a more connected and inclusive future for all. Discover
more on The Newsroom and follow us on X
at @Cisco.
Cisco and the Cisco logo are trademarks or registered trademarks
of Cisco and/or its affiliates in the U.S. and other countries. A
listing of Cisco's trademarks can be found
at http://www.cisco.com/go/trademarks. Third-party trademarks
mentioned are the property of their respective owners. The use of
the word 'partner' does not imply a partnership relationship
between Cisco and any other company.
Futures Disclaimer: Many of the products and features described
herein remain in varying stages of development and will be offered
on a when-and-if-available basis. The delivery timeline of these
products and features is subject to change at the sole discretion
of Cisco, and Cisco will have no liability for delay in the
delivery or failure to deliver any of the products or features set
forth herein.
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