Cisco Unveils Open Silicon and Optical Systems for AI Networks at OCP Summit
Cisco introduced the Silicon One chip family, a USFP optical module built with Nvidia, the Cisco 8001, and a SONiC Live Protect update at the OCP Global Summit.
Cisco unveiled new open silicon and optical networking systems at the Open Compute Project (OCP) Global Summit keynote on the 12th, according to digitaltoday.co.kr. The announcement centered on the Silicon One chip family, which Cisco introduced as the core of its scale-across architecture.
Cisco also presented a USFP (ultra-high-density small form-factor pluggable) optical module developed with Nvidia that handles 400 gigabit electrical signals per lane. The company additionally introduced an out-of-band management system called Cisco 8001, designed for rapid network recovery after failures.
A new version of the open-source network operating system SONiC adds a Live Protect feature that finds and fixes vulnerabilities without stopping running AI workloads. Live Protect is planned to be available starting next year.
Cisco's scale-across architecture is intended to unite scattered AI data centers. Kevin Wollenweber, Cisco senior vice president of the data center and internet infrastructure division, said the challenge is now how to connect large-scale computing without harming performance and reliability.
Gillad Shainer, Nvidia senior vice president, said building the world's largest AI factories starts with rethinking the smallest connections.
Quick answers
What did Cisco announce at the OCP Global Summit?
Cisco unveiled the Silicon One chip family, a USFP optical module developed with Nvidia, the Cisco 8001 out-of-band management system, and a SONiC update with Live Protect.
When will SONiC's Live Protect feature be available?
Live Protect is planned to be available starting next year.
What does the Cisco USFP optical module do?
The ultra-high-density small form-factor pluggable module, developed with Nvidia, handles 400 gigabit electrical signals per lane.