Cisco has introduced new solutions to enable service providers to deliver AI connectivity. Service providers are set to play a critical role in defining how, where, and when data from artificial intelligence (AI) applications moves across networks. Cisco today introduced new innovations that both enable service providers to handle the increase in data volume and variety, and monetize the services supporting AI traffic. The innovations introduced today also showcase the evolution of Cisco Silicon One, with new devices that enable Cisco customers to build networks with the flexibility AI services require.
The data created by AI applications needs to be processed closer to the edge and closer to users, requiring better access speeds, service performance, resiliency and data security. Cisco is offering service providers a path forward with Cisco Agile Services Networking – an architecture for AI connectivity that enables service providers to monetize the delivery of assured services and networking.
“The AI revolution can’t happen without service providers, and service providers can’t support AI without evolving their networks to be simple, resilient, and intelligent,” said Jeetu Patel, Executive Vice President and Chief Product Officer, Cisco. “Cisco’s Agile Services Networking is a unique approach, based on Cisco’s unmatched understanding of the network connectivity requirements of AI infrastructure. With simplicity, resiliency, and intelligence, Cisco’s Agile Services Networking is the blueprint for service providers as they look to capitalize on the opportunities of AI.”
Powering AI Connectivity, Delivering New Services
Service providers are in a unique position in the AI ecosystem. They own and operate the networks that connect where AI data is generated and where AI applications are consumed. They also own and operate the data centers where AI training and inferencing applications process massive data sets.
Cisco Agile Services Networking is an architecture designed to remove complexity with simplified networking that converges network layers and services. It can assure experiences with resilient networks and services enabled by AI-powered automation, observability, and security. And, service providers can monetize services deployed closer to their end-users from a network architecture optimized for intelligent service delivery. To deliver this architecture, Cisco is introducing:
• Cisco Silicon One Systems and Platforms: New Silicon One and Cisco 8000 portfolio additions to access, edge, and metro networks, offering consistent control, sustainability, security, and manageability for how networks are built from the silicon and systems level. The architecture introduces the new Cisco Silicon One A100 and K100 devices for fixed, centralized, and modular systems.
• Cisco Coherent Pluggable Optics: Extend Routed Optical Networking in new use cases for replacing transponders with coherent pluggable optics in metro edge and access for widely deployed 100G ports and new 800G ports. Additionally, Cisco now supports ultra long-haul applications to connect locations up to 3000km apart with 400G coherent pluggable optics.
• Network Automation and Assurance Features: Cisco Crosswork Network Automation and Provider Connectivity Assurance (formerly Accedian Skylight) offers new predictive AI technology to accelerate network capacity planning and resource allocation and gives operators comprehensive views to manage their entire network infrastructure. In addition, Provider Connectivity Assurance integrates with Splunk so customers can correlate application and infrastructure performance data and drive automated decisions that accelerate resolution.
Together, these new innovations supply service providers with the tools necessary to evolve their networks, develop new service offerings, and monetize the delivery of assured services. Combined with Cisco’s circular product lifecycle programs, Agile Services Networking is also a more energy efficient and less resource-intensive architecture. Customers are projected to reduce C02 emissions by 324 tons and power consumption by 80% when compared to traditional, centralized deployments.
The first of Cisco’s Silicon One-powered 8000 series will ship in the spring of 2025; additional models will ship that summer. Cisco’s first new Coherent Pluggable Optics will begin shipping in spring of 2025. The Network Automation and Assurance features are available now.
Partnering to capitalize on the AI opportunity
As AI continues to drive rapid change in how networks are built, managed, and optimized, Cisco’s partnerships with service providers are more crucial than ever. Global Service Providers, including Arelion,Bell Canada, BT business, Colt, Lumen, Megaport, OTE (Deutsche Telekom) and Swisscom, have expressed excitement for the capabilities introduced by Cisco Agile Services Networking.
