Cisco introduces Smart Switches for AI data centers | Back End News

Mar 09, 2025

Cisco has unveiled a new line of data center Smart Switches, offering a streamlined approach to networking and security. The new Smart Switch with Cisco Hypershield integrates security directly into the network, addressing the growing complexity of AI-driven workloads.

“As the Philippines pushes for greater adoption of AI, and as AI workloads continue to multiply, building and managing data centers will become much more complex,” said Zaza Soriano-Nicart, managing director, Cisco Philippines. “With the Smart Switches, we are offering a new way to do that and enable businesses to accelerate their adoption of AI and other innovations without compromising security.”

Powered by programmable AMD Pensando data processing units (DPUs), the Smart Switch enables faster, more flexible, and secure data center infrastructure. Traditional architectures often require multiple separate devices to support networking and security, adding complexity. Cisco’s new approach integrates these functions within the network fabric, reducing the need for additional hardware and manual security updates.

The increasing demand for AI has changed how data centers operate. Large language models and AI applications are now deployed across different environments, from centralized hyperscale facilities to remote locations like agricultural monitoring systems. This shift requires a more automated and adaptable infrastructure.

Cisco’s Smart Switches combine data center networking with Silicon One and AMD DPUs to help organizations scale services without additional hardware. The switches feature two processing engines: one for stable data transfer and another for security functions. This design allows for real-time adjustments, improving efficiency while lowering power consumption.

With Cisco Firewall Threat Defense, AI Defense capabilities, and Security Cloud Control, the new Smart Switches will support Cisco’s Hybrid Mesh Firewall, which is designed to protect AI applications across data centers and public clouds.