The networking landscape is being reshaped by Cisco with its latest innovation: the 8223 routing systems. These systems, fueled by the groundbreaking Silicon One P200 chip, are setting new benchmarks for scalability and efficiency in AI networking. Designed for the demands of distributed AI workloads, the 8223 facilitates secure ‘scale-across’ architectures, seamlessly connecting AI clusters spanning multiple data centers.
Cisco’s unveiling addresses the increasing challenges of connecting data centers for secure AI workload execution. The 8223 system offers unparalleled capacity and efficiency in a single ASIC router, now being deployed to hyperscalers for building secure, scalable AI infrastructures. The Silicon One P200 chip delivers exceptional deep-buffer routing, achieving interconnect bandwidth exceeding 3 Exabits per second.
As AI adoption surges, data centers grapple with escalating demands, power constraints, and evolving security threats. The 8223 stands out as a 51.2 terabits per second (Tbps) Ethernet fixed router, tailored for the intense traffic demands of AI workloads across data centers. This innovation, coupled with the P200 chip, empowers organizations to overcome bottlenecks and future-proof their infrastructure.
According to Martin Lund, EVP, Cisco’s Common Hardware Group, the Cisco 8223 addresses the crucial need for reliable, secure connections between geographically separated data centers. It provides the necessary bandwidth, scale, and security for distributed architectures.
AI workloads push the boundaries of power and space within data centers. The limitations of scaling-up or scaling-out within a single data center highlight the necessity for data center interconnects to ‘scale-across’ by distributing AI workloads. The 8223 provides the programmability and deep buffering required for secure and reliable cross-site connections.
Prioritizing power efficiency, scalability, programmability, and security is crucial for future-ready AI networks. The Cisco 8223 enables customers to manage growing workloads, offering full programmability and addressing power consumption challenges.
The 8223 achieves power efficiency as a deep-buffer routing solution optimized for fixed deployments. It offers switch-like power efficiency in a compact 3RU system. The 8223 delivers industry-leading bandwidth and density, featuring 64 ports of 800GE for unmatched routing performance, processing over 20 billion packets per second, and scaling up to 3 Exabits per second. Supporting 800GE coherent optics, it enables data center interconnect and metro applications up to 1000km. The P200’s deep buffering manages traffic surges, maintaining performance during AI training.
The 8223 intelligently adapts to network conditions with the programmable P200 silicon, supporting emerging protocols without hardware upgrades. It offers protection across hardware, software, and networks, featuring line-rate encryption and continuous monitoring tools. Integration with Cisco’s observability platforms provides granular insights for quick issue resolution.
The Cisco 8223 supports open-source SONiC deployments initially, with IOS XR to follow. The P200 silicon will also be available in modular platforms, offering architectural consistency for all network sizes. Cisco Nexus will soon support NX-OS based systems utilizing the P200, ensuring agility and operational flexibility.
Introduced in 2019, Cisco Silicon One is a diverse portfolio of networking devices used across AI, hyperscaler environments, data centers, enterprises, and service providers.
Dave Maltz, Technical Fellow and Corporate Vice President, Azure Networking, Microsoft, notes the importance of faster networks with increased buffering. Dennis Cai, Vice President, Head of Network Infrastructure, Alibaba Cloud, highlights the P200’s alignment with Alibaba’s eCore architecture. Dave Ward, Chief Technology Officer and Product Officer, Lumen, sees Cisco’s technology aligning with Lumen’s goals for scalable multi-cloud connectivity. Patrick Moorhead, CEO and Chief Analyst for Moor Insights & Strategy, emphasizes the necessity of reliable, high-bandwidth interconnects.
Also Read: Discord reports a data breach via vendor 5CA, exposing approx. 70,000 users
