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Cisco’s 2025–2026 launches move its data-center networking roadmap from the 51.2 Tbps Silicon One P200-powered Cisco 8223 router to 102.4 Tbps Silicon One G300 switching systems. The portfolio adds AI-oriented congestion management, deep buffering, telemetry, liquid-cooled designs, 800G coherent optics and a unified Nexus One management layer for traffic moving within and between data centers.
What Cisco launched, and when
Cisco 8223: the 51.2 Tbps starting point
On October 8, 2025, Cisco introduced the Cisco 8223, a fixed Ethernet routing system powered by the Silicon One P200. Cisco rates the system at 51.2 Tbps and positions it for secure data-center interconnects supporting distributed AI workloads. Cisco also described its broader P200-powered portfolio as enabling more than 3 exabits per second of interconnect bandwidth; that figure is a Cisco launch claim, not an independently measured industry benchmark.
Silicon One G300 and new systems
On February 10, 2026, Cisco announced Silicon One G300, a 102.4 Tbps switching silicon platform, together with G300-powered Cisco N9000 and Cisco 8000 systems. The same announcement added expanded P200 systems, 28.8T modular line cards, liquid-cooled designs, 800G ZR and ZR+ coherent pluggable optics, and Nexus One management across the portfolio.
Secure AI Factory expansion
On August 25, 2026, Cisco broadened the story from routing hardware to rack-scale infrastructure with a Secure AI Factory architecture that combines NVIDIA-based compute and networking with Supermicro high-density liquid- and air-cooled systems. That announcement describes an integrated architecture; it does not establish that every Cisco 8223, N9000 or Cisco 8000 configuration includes Supermicro or NVIDIA components.
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Why these systems target distributed AI
AI training and inference can keep GPUs in one facility busy only when data moves between accelerators, storage and other sites without sustained congestion. A company may distribute a cluster across facilities when a single location runs out of electrical capacity, floor space, cooling headroom or expansion room. In that model, the network is on the critical path: a congested link can leave expensive accelerators waiting.
Cisco’s design emphasis is therefore broader than a headline port-speed number. The company highlights programmability, deep buffers, streaming telemetry and path-based load balancing to absorb bursts, observe queue conditions and steer traffic around less suitable paths. Cisco executive Martin Lund described the network as becoming “part of the compute itself” as AI training and inference scale.
Rank #2
- Former Linksys Business Series
- Secure, high-speed access for small businesses
- Four 10/100/1000 wired connections can move large files quickly and easily
- Superior level of security, including an intrusion-detection system
- WAN Ports - N/A
Silicon and systems compared
| Component | Cisco-stated capacity | Position in the architecture | Features identified in the launch material |
|---|---|---|---|
| Silicon One P200 | 51.2 Tbps in the Cisco 8223; Cisco also cites more than 3 exabits per second of aggregate interconnect bandwidth for its P200 portfolio | Routing for secure data-center interconnects and distributed AI | Programmability, buffering, telemetry and security emphasis; exact buffer size and port configuration are not stated |
| Cisco 8223 | 51.2 Tbps | Fixed Ethernet routing system, announced October 8, 2025 | Built around P200 for inter-data-center connectivity; cooling and optical configuration depend on the ordered system and are not specified in the launch summary |
| Silicon One G300 | 102.4 Tbps | Higher-capacity switching silicon, announced February 10, 2026 | Foundation for new N9000 and Cisco 8000 systems, with Intelligent Collective Networking claims |
| G300-powered Cisco N9000 and Cisco 8000 systems | System throughput varies by model and configuration; the launch release identifies the 102.4 Tbps G300 silicon but does not provide one universal chassis figure | Data-center switching and larger AI-network fabrics | Liquid-cooled designs, Nexus One management and support for the broader 800G optical roadmap |
| 28.8T modular line cards | 28.8 Tbps per announced line card | Modular expansion within compatible Cisco platforms | Useful where operators need incremental capacity; chassis compatibility, port mix and orderability must be confirmed |
What the AI networking features are intended to do
Congestion control and path selection
Cisco says its G300 Intelligent Collective Networking approach increased network utilization by 33% and reduced job-completion time by 28% versus simulated non-optimized path selection. These are Cisco-reported results from a simulation comparison, not a third-party benchmark; the release does not define a universal production workload or guarantee the same percentages in a customer network.
Telemetry and programmability
Programmable forwarding and detailed telemetry can let operators inspect traffic and queue behavior, then automate policy or path changes. The practical value depends on the software stack, APIs, supported telemetry formats and the operator’s ability to integrate them with scheduling and observability systems. Cisco’s launch materials do not specify one required orchestration product beyond the Nexus One management layer.
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- Aggregate Throughput: 100 Mbps to 300 Mbps
- Total onboard WAN or LAN 10/100/1000 ports: 3
- RJ-45-based ports: 2
- SFP-based ports: 2
- Enhanced service-module (SM-X) slot: 1
Security for inter-site traffic
Cisco positions the 8223 as supplying the bandwidth, scale and security needed for distributed data-center architectures. The announcement summary does not enumerate a single security feature set, so buyers should request the exact encryption, segmentation, control-plane protection and software capabilities for the chosen hardware and release.
Power, cooling and optics are part of the design
Liquid cooling
Cisco claims nearly a 70% energy-efficiency improvement for systems that are 100% liquid-cooled. That is a Cisco launch claim tied to the stated liquid-cooled configuration; it is not an independently verified result and should not be applied to air-cooled or mixed deployments. Liquid cooling also affects rack plumbing, manifolds, service procedures, facility water loops and acceptance testing, so the network purchase cannot be evaluated separately from site engineering.
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- Dual Gigabit Ethernet Ports: Features 2 RJ45 10/100/1000 LAN/WAN ports for high-speed network connectivity and flexible deployment options
- Enhanced High-Speed WAN Interface Card Slots: Equipped with 2 EHWIC slots for modular expansion and customization of network services
- Security Feature Set: Includes SEC feature set with embedded hardware encryption acceleration and advanced security services for comprehensive network protection
- Doublewide EWIC Slot: Provides 1 doublewide EWIC slot that occupies both standard EHWIC slots when used, offering flexibility for high-density interface requirements
- USB Connectivity: Includes 1 USB port for external storage, configuration management, and additional connectivity options
800G coherent pluggable optics
The February 2026 release adds 800G ZR and ZR+ coherent pluggable optics for high-bandwidth links between locations. ZR/ZR+ reach, fiber conditions, optical budgets, interoperability and supported temperatures vary by module and deployment. Cisco’s announcement does not provide one universal distance, so a bill of materials should specify the exact optic, route length, fiber type and qualification status.
Where each part fits
| Networking need | Relevant Cisco direction | Questions to answer before choosing |
|---|---|---|
| Inter-data-center AI links | 8223/P200 routing and 800G ZR or ZR+ coherent pluggables | Required route distance, optical budget, encryption, routing scale and carrier or dark-fiber handoff |
| Large in-data-center fabric | G300-powered N9000 or Cisco 8000 systems | Fabric topology, port speeds, oversubscription, buffer behavior, telemetry integration and cooling method |
| Incremental modular growth | 28.8T modular line cards in compatible platforms | Chassis support, available slots, power draw, port mix and software licensing |
| Rack-scale AI factory | Cisco networking combined with NVIDIA compute and Supermicro liquid- or air-cooled systems | GPU server qualification, rack power, liquid-cooling services, deployment responsibility and support boundaries |
Nexus One provides the management layer
Cisco describes Nexus One as a unified management plane spanning silicon, systems, optics and software. The goal is to give operators one operational view instead of treating routers, switches and transceivers as isolated devices. Confirm which Nexus One functions are licensed, which hardware and software releases are supported, and how the platform connects to existing automation, monitoring and incident-response tools.
Quick Recap
Best Value
How to evaluate a Cisco AI-networking proposal
- Define the traffic domain. Decide whether the project is an in-data-center fabric, an inter-data-center connection or a scale-across architecture spanning both.
- Match capacity to topology. Compare aggregate throughput, port count, lane speeds, oversubscription and growth headroom rather than selecting on the 102.4 Tbps or 51.2 Tbps headline alone.
- Validate congestion behavior. Ask for buffer specifications, queue-management behavior, path-selection controls and telemetry examples for the intended AI workload.
- Specify optics and fiber. Document 800G ZR/ZR+ requirements, route length, fiber plant, optical budget, interoperability and replacement stock.
- Engineer power and cooling. Obtain rack-level power figures and determine whether the design is air-cooled, liquid-cooled or mixed, including facility changes and maintenance procedures.
- Check security and operations. Verify encryption, segmentation, routing policy, access control, software support and Nexus One integration for the exact release.
- Confirm commercial availability. Cisco’s announcements do not establish street pricing, universal regional orderability or a common support lifecycle. Confirm configuration, lead time, entitlement and reseller status in a formal quote.
What is established—and what remains configuration-specific
- The 8223 is a 51.2 Tbps fixed Ethernet router built on Silicon One P200 and announced October 8, 2025.
- Silicon One G300 is rated at 102.4 Tbps, with G300-based N9000 and Cisco 8000 systems announced February 10, 2026.
- Cisco reports 33% higher utilization and 28% faster job completion in a simulation, plus nearly 70% better energy efficiency for 100% liquid-cooled systems.
- No independent benchmark methodology, street pricing or universal availability is established by the launch releases.
- Exact model ports, buffer sizes, optical reach, cooling requirements, software entitlements and regional support must be confirmed for the proposed configuration.
