Distributed AI workloads are putting enormous demands on networking infrastructure. As AI models grow in complexity and size, the physical and power limitations of single data centers are pushing operators to adopt scale-across architectures-interconnecting multiple data centers for massive AI training and inferencing. Power efficiency, reliability, and scalability are now deeply important, and optical innovation lies at the heart of achieving these goals.

Expanding fiber capacity to meet distributed AI requirements

One way to address the necessary capacity growth is by lighting multiple fiber pairs in parallel with multi-rail open line systems which can handle multiple bands and transmission systems in parallel.

While using existing line systems in legacy amplification huts limits the maximum achievable capacity due to power constraints, multi-rail open line systems enable the use of several parallel fiber pairs, which significantly increase capacity and power efficiency. By integrating multi-rail amplifiers, operators can easily scale to accommodate multi-petabit traffic, while reducing physical footprint and overcoming power constraints.

Another way to keep power under control and maximize fiber utilization is to extend the conventional C-band architectures with C&L-band, effectively doubling capacity per fiber pair.

Unveiling Cisco optical innovations designed for NetOps teams

To empower network operators to embrace this multi-rail approach and meet the needs of AI workloads, Cisco has designed optical innovations in open line systems, transponders, and optical pluggable modules.

Advancing multi-rail open line systems: Cisco Open Transport 3000 Series

Cisco is introducing the Open Transport 3000 Series, the multi-rail open line system designed to optimize amplifier power, space, capacity, and cost. Multi-rail architecture integrates optical components for multiple fiber rails into a single line card, providing exponential improvements in footprint and operational scale for multi-petabit traffic demands.

Key benefits include:

• 75% power reduction per rail
• 80% reduction in rack space per rail
• Increased transmission capacity through C&L-band usage
• Enhanced reliability and scalability for scale-across, DCI, and long-haul deployments

Figure 1: The Cisco Open Transport 3000 Series multi-rail solution

Doubling density: NCS 1014 multihaul system

The Cisco NCS 1014 system now features a 1RU line card providing impressive 12.8T capacity, with 32 OSFP-based ports for 100 GE, 400 GE, and 800 GE clients and 800ZR/ZR+ WDM trunks. For operators requiring demarcating optical transport in their scale-across architecture, NCS 1014 provides impressive power efficiency and footprint, delivering:

• Double the density compared to previous-generation solutions
• Power efficiency and enhanced resiliency for DCI, metro, long-haul, and subsea applications
• Advanced features including MACsec encryption (IEEE 802.1AE) to secure point-to-point links with hardware-based encryption, data integrity, and authentication for Ethernet traffic
• Enhanced capacity and performance with C&L-band support

Figure 2: NCS 1014 12.8T OSFP line card

Additionally, Cisco NCS 1014 systems with the 2.4T WDM line card based on the Coherent Interconnect Module 8 (CIM 8) now support 800 GE clients, which can be mapped directly to a wavelength or inverse multiplexed across two wavelengths to maximize reach.

Enhancing resilience: Industry's first QSFP-DD Pluggable Protection Switch Module

This industry-first innovation maintains high network resiliency and availability by switching traffic upon fault detection in less than 50 milliseconds, all in a pluggable form factor:

• 90% improvement in rack space compared to available solutions
• Flexible and easy deployment for channel, multiplex section, or path-level protection
• Compatible with contentionless and colorless add/drop architectures

Figure 3: The QSFP-DD Pluggable Protection Switch Module

Expanding Routed Optical Networking: Bright QSFP28 100ZR 0dBm

Cisco continues to expand the number of customers adopting its Routed Optical Networking architecture and Acacia's market-leading pluggable coherent optics at 400G ZR/ZR+ and 800G ZR/ZR+. All the top hyperscalers and over 450 customers are deploying Cisco market-leading pluggable optics into DCI, metro, and long-haul applications. To expand the same architecture to access and edge, Cisco is introducing a new Bright QSFP28 100ZR 0dBm coherent pluggable, developed by Acacia.

Achieving resilience, scale, and power efficiency in the AI era

AI is driving exponential growth in network bandwidth, reach, and power efficiency requirements. The Cisco optical portfolio meets these needs with resilient, scalable, and power-efficient solutions, ready for hyperscalers, neoscalers, and service providers deploying the next generation of AI and cloud applications.

To learn more, contact the Cisco team or, if you're attending OFC (March 15-19), visit us at booth 1870 to see live demonstrations of these innovative new products and join us for insightful workshops and talks.

Learn more about Cisco's vision for AI networking that aligns innovation in optical line systems, transponders, and pluggable coherent optics. 

Additional resources:

Cisco Introduces Optical Innovations to Power the Backbone for AI Networking