Cisco Redefines Data Center Architecture with Smart Switches: Embedding Security and Services for AI-Driven Workloads
Cisco introduces game-changing Smart Switches powered by AMD Pensando DPUs, simplifying data center design while enhancing security and efficiency for AI workloads.
Cisco (NASDAQ: CSCO), the global leader in networking and security, today unveiled its revolutionary family of Smart Switches, redefining data center architecture by embedding networking and security services directly into the network fabric. Leveraging programmable AMD Pensando™ Data Processing Units (DPUs), these switches function as high-capacity, multifunctional service-hosting devices, transforming how data centers are designed, deployed, and managed.
The first offering, the Cisco N9300 Smart Switch with Hypershield, introduces a groundbreaking approach to securing AI-driven data centers by fusing advanced security directly into the network fabric. This innovation addresses the growing complexity of modern data centers, where traditional architectures struggle to meet the demands of AI training and inferencing workloads.
The Growing Complexity of AI-Driven Data Centers
As AI adoption accelerates, data centers face unprecedented challenges. AI applications—whether massive language models in hyperscale facilities or edge-based solutions like network drones monitoring crop irrigation—require flexible, scalable infrastructure. These workloads demand simplified designs that integrate compute, storage, networking, and security seamlessly while enabling automated and predictive operations through streamlined management platforms.
“Data center infrastructure must be reimagined for AI training and inferencing workloads, which dwarf even the largest enterprise jobs of the past,” said Jeetu Patel, EVP and Chief Product Officer at Cisco. “Simply upgrading switches with higher speeds and feeds doesn’t address modern requirements. What’s needed is the acceleration of security and network services natively within the data center fabric.”
Soni Jiandani, Senior Vice President and General Manager of AMD’s Networking Technology and Solutions Group, added, “Cisco’s innovative approach, powered by AMD Pensando DPUs, marks a significant milestone in transforming enterprise infrastructure. Together, we’re enabling high-capacity throughput and robust network security without compromising workload performance on Cisco UCS servers or Hypershield-enabled platforms.”
Cisco Smart Switches: A Game-Changer for Data Centers
Traditional data center architectures often lead to complexity as new services require additional hardware and manual updates to security policies. Cisco Smart Switches eliminate this inefficiency by integrating services directly into the data center fabric, reducing reliance on external appliances.
Key features of Cisco Smart Switches include:
- Dual Processing Engines: A high-performance network processor ensures stable data transfer, while a network services sidecar handles agile security processing. Traffic is intelligently routed between the two for optimal performance.
- Hardware Consolidation: By consolidating services into a single device, Cisco reduces power consumption, lowers costs, and simplifies operations.
- NX-OS Compatibility: The switches retain all NX-OS capabilities and are managed through the Nexus Dashboard, unlocking diverse use cases such as stateful segmentation, IPSec encryption, enhanced telemetry, DDoS protection, and more.
This architectural shift empowers organizations to scale services and adapt to evolving business needs without deploying additional hardware, making it ideal for AI-driven environments.
Reimagining Data Center Security with Hypershield
The integration of Cisco Smart Switches with Hypershield represents a paradigm shift in data center security. This combination delivers an advanced, AI-native, hardware-accelerated distributed security architecture embedded directly within the data center fabric. Key benefits include:
- Melted-In Security: Hypershield eliminates the need for standalone security appliances by creating a “micro-perimeter” around each service within a workload.
- Autonomous Segmentation Policies: Automatically updated security policies ensure consistent enforcement with minimal manual intervention.
- Self-Qualifying Updates: Organizations can reduce risks by validating policy updates before deployment, ensuring compliance and minimizing disruptions.
- Cross-Domain Consistency: With Cisco Hybrid Mesh Firewall, customers can enforce consistent policies across on-prem, cloud, and traditional next-gen firewalls using a unified management system.
- Persona-Driven Operations: The solution integrates seamlessly into existing workflows, supporting NetOps, SecOps, and NetSecOps teams with a single platform for connectivity and security.
By embedding security into the network fabric, Cisco addresses the unique demands of AI applications, offering the first Hybrid Mesh Firewall optimized to protect AI workloads in both data centers and public clouds.
General Availability and Future Rollouts
Cisco’s Smart Switch portfolio will begin rolling out in phases:
- The Cisco N9300 Smart Switch, featuring 24 100G ports, is targeted for availability in spring 2025.
- A top-of-rack model, equipped with 48 25G ports, two 100G ports, and six 400G ports, is slated for release in summer 2025.
These innovations position Cisco as a leader in delivering adaptive, secure, and efficient data center solutions tailored for the AI era.
Simplifying the Path to AI Success
Cisco’s Smart Switches represent a transformative leap in data center architecture, addressing the complexities of AI workloads while enhancing security and operational efficiency. By embedding services directly into the network fabric, Cisco enables organizations to simplify their infrastructure, reduce costs, and future-proof their operations.
As AI continues to reshape industries, Cisco’s solutions provide the foundation for intelligent, adaptive, and secure data centers. With innovations like Smart Switches and Hypershield, Cisco is paving the way for a new era of AI-driven success.
For more information, visit cisco.com.
