Cisco said that the new solutions include hardware, software and system integration
In sum – what to know:
Cisco hits $1B in AI infra orders early – Strong Q3 performance reflects rising demand for scalable AI infrastructure.
New tools boost AI networking – Innovations include unified fabrics, intelligent packet flow and support for Nvidia hardware.
Bet on “Neocloud” – Partnering with new IaaS providers in MENA to power AI infrastructure at scale.
U.S. networking giant Cisco has introduced a range of data center and networking innovations aimed at helping organizations scale their artificial intelligence (AI) infrastructure.
In a release, the company noted that the new capabilities were unveiled following a strong third quarter in which the networking firm exceeded its annual $1 billion AI infrastructure order target from hyperscalers.
The new solutions, which include hardware, software and system integration, reflect Cisco’s growing role as a key technology provider for enterprises, hyperscalers and emerging GPU-as-a-service players, the firm added. At the core of its strategy is supporting high-bandwidth, low-latency and energy-efficient networks optimized for AI workloads, it added.
Jeetu Patel, president and chief product officer at Cisco, said: “We’re entering the agentic era of AI, where autonomous agents will carry out complex tasks. The success of this era depends on secure, efficient and scalable data center infrastructure.”
The company’s latest data center advancements include:
-Unified fabric experience: A converged platform for ACI and NX-OS VXLAN EVPN fabrics, offering unified control, policy enforcement and management via the new Nexus Dashboard.
-AI performance optimization: Cisco’s Intelligent Packet Flow tool improves traffic routing across AI fabrics using real-time telemetry. Integration between Cisco G200-based switches and Nvidia NICs showcases compatibility with Nvidia Spectrum-X Ethernet and supports NX-OS, Nexus HyperFabric AI and SONiC.
-Expanded AI PODs: New modular AI POD configurations offer scalability for varied AI tasks such as training and fine-tuning. The networking company also supports Nvidia’s RTX PRO 6000 Blackwell GPUs with its UCS C845A M8 servers.
-Security for AI workflows: Cisco AI Defense and Hypershield are now included in Nvidia’s Enterprise AI Factory validated design, offering visibility and runtime protection for open-model AI agents.
-Simplified upgrades with optics: New 400G BiDi optics, expected in late 2025, allow customers to upgrade without replacing existing fiber infrastructure.
The company is also positioning itself as a key enabler of the emerging “neocloud” market—AI-first infrastructure-as-a-service providers. Notable partnerships include:
–HUMAIN: Saudi Arabia’s new AI enterprise is working with the U.S. networking giant to help build what it claims to be the world’s most open AI infrastructure using Cisco Nexus, UCS, Hypershield and Splunk.
-G42: The UAE-based global technology group announced a strategic collaboration with Cisco, laying the groundwork to advance AI innovation and infrastructure development across public and private sectors.
-Stargate UAE: Cisco joined the Stargate UAE consortium as a preferred technology partner, providing advanced networking, security and observability solutions to accelerate the deployment of next-generation AI compute clusters.
The company also unveiled several innovations targeted at service providers:
-New edge devices: Powered by Cisco Silicon One, new routers in the 8000 series boost network performance and enable monetization of AI services.
-Agentic AI framework: Cisco Crosswork now supports a multi-agent AI architecture for autonomous networking and decision-making.
-Satellite-terrestrial integration: The company’s new architecture facilitates seamless communication between space-based and terrestrial networks, targeting underserved markets like maritime, aviation and disaster zones.
Cisco also unveiled new ways for organizations to accelerate AI adoption.
-Enhanced security for the AI era: Cisco is embedding AI-ready security innovations into its Hybrid Mesh Firewall and Universal Zero Trust Network Access (ZTNA) offerings, and enabling secure agentic AI adoption with the Cisco Security Cloud.
-Intelligent Workplaces: New devices for campus, branch and industrial networks, alongside AI-powered unified management, to create modern and secure workplaces.
-Simplified operations with AgenticOps: The networking firm is launching AI-driven solutions to simplify IT operations, enhance automation and provide proactive threat defense.
