Cisco announced new Silicon One-powered networking platforms and coherent pluggable optics to help service providers scale their networks for AI-driven traffic growth. Introduced at Cisco Live in Amsterdam, these solutions address the increasing demand for high-bandwidth, low-latency, and energy-efficient connectivity by optimizing access, edge, and metro networks. Cisco’s Silicon One A100 and K100 devices extend the Cisco 8000 portfolio, offering high-speed, software-defined networking with enhanced security and power efficiency. Additionally, Cisco’s new coherent pluggable optics, including 400G Ultra Long-Haul (ULH) modules, allow service providers to extend fiber links up to 3,000km without traditional transponders, simplifying infrastructure and reducing operational costs.
These innovations are part of Cisco’s Agile Services Networking architecture, designed to help service providers deliver scalable and AI-optimized networks while lowering power consumption. Cisco is also advancing Routed Optical Networking by integrating new 100G and 800G optics, enabling higher-capacity data transport with fewer network layers. The Cisco Crosswork Network Automation suite enhances predictive analytics and network assurance, allowing service providers to optimize capacity planning and performance monitoring. The first Silicon One-powered Cisco 8000 series switches are available now, with additional models and coherent optics shipping in 2025.
• Silicon One A100 and K100: Expands the Cisco 8000 portfolio for high-speed access, edge, and metro networks.
• 400G Ultra Long-Haul Coherent Optics: Extends fiber reach up to 3,000km without transponders, reducing complexity and power consumption.
• 100G and 800G Optics: Enhances Routed Optical Networking, supporting higher capacity and simplified architectures.
• AI-Driven Network Automation: Cisco Crosswork Network Automation improves capacity planning and predictive analytics.
• Energy Efficiency Gains: Projected 80% power reduction in edge deployments compared to traditional architectures.
Cisco noted that it is working with leading global service providers such as Arelion, Bell Canada, BT Business, Colt, Lumen, Megaport, OTE (Deutsche Telekom), and Swisscom to implement these next-generation networking technologies for AI connectivity.
