Cisco introduces optical innovations to power the backbone for AI networking

Bill Gartner

The world stands at an inflection point where AI is redefining every aspect of business, society, and technology. Now, more than ever, network operators face the challenge of delivering unprecedented scale, reliability, and efficiency. At Cisco, our commitment to optical and optics innovation powers the backbone of AI, and cloud networking and enables our customers to meet these demands with confidence. 

AI is fueling exponential traffic growth, exposing traditional data center boundaries and pushing workloads across networks. Training the largest frontier AI models now requires connecting multiple data centers and overcoming power and space limitations that once constrained centralized architectures. As the industry shifts from scale-out in single data centers to scale-across distributed locations, new networking paradigms are essential. 

 Cisco’s vision for the AI networking backbone aligns innovation in optical line systems, transponders, and pluggable coherent optics. Our customers are connecting both back-end AI scale-across solutions and front-end DCI/WAN applications, including access, edge, metro, long-haul and subsea. We provide a flexible architecture, which adapts to their preferences, regulations, and stages of network evolution. They can leverage Cisco routers, switches, or pluggable transponders to match their unique needs, whether they have fully embraced Cisco Routed Optical Networking or are just starting their journey transforming their networks with coherent pluggable optics. 

Today, we’re proud to introduce the Cisco Open Transport 3000 Series, a multi-rail open line system that optimizes amplifier space, power, capacity, and cost. As AI traffic pushed our customers to scale their line systems with additional fiber capacity, they can rely on Cisco innovations to increase the density and power efficiency for line amplification. We’re also doubling the density of our NCS 1014 multi-haul system, delivering industry-leading 12.8T capacity in a 1RU line card, supporting OSFP 800ZR/ZR+ trunks. With these innovations, our customers gain the scale and efficiency required to connect AI networks. 

Cisco innovations in pluggable optics are also continuing to expand our Routed Optical Networking solution. To efficiently increase network resiliency, we are introducing the industry’s first QSFP-DD pluggable Protection Switch Module, which reduces the power and space required for this critical network application. And, the Acacia market-leading coherent pluggable optics now include the new Bright QSFP28 100ZR 0dBm pluggable for access and edge applications. These innovations underpin the growth of our Routed Optical Networking solution, which spans over 450 customers, including all hyperscalers. 

Today’s innovations for the AI backbone build upon our recent announcements from Cisco Live EMEA. This past February, we unleashed our AI Networking portfolio for the 100T era, introducing innovations for scalable, reliable, and power efficient AI data centers. We introduced the Cisco Silicon One G300, which powers 102.4T N9000 and Cisco 8000 systems, as well as advanced 1.6T OSFP optics and 800G Linear Pluggable Optics. 

Empowering customers in the AI era with a unified networking ecosystem 

As networks evolve to support the AI era, Cisco’s optical and optics innovations – driven by the One Cisco Platform and our leadership across silicon, optics, and systems – are the foundation for resilient, scalable, and power-efficient connectivity. Our platform approach delivers integrated and optimized designs that enable customers to scale rapidly, operate securely, and innovate with agility.  

Our unified approach ensures that every layer of the network, from the data center to the core to the edge, is ready for the unique demands of AI and cloud workloads. We’re not just responding to industry trends—we’re anticipating them and empowering our customers to shape the future of networking. 

Next week at OFC, we’re showcasing our latest innovations to help customers thrive in this AI era. Visit us at Booth #1870.