Cisco launches 8223 router & P200 chip for AI data centres

Cisco has introduced the 8223 routing system and the Silicon One P200 chip, targeting secure and efficient networking of distributed artificial intelligence workloads across multiple data centres.

The 8223 routing system is rated at 51.2 terabits per second (Tbps) and utilises the Silicon One P200, which features deep-buffer routing silicon and allows for interconnect bandwidth scaling beyond 3 exabits per second. The new system is being shipped to initial hyperscaler customers.

Addressing AI demand

With the rapid expansion of artificial intelligence workloads, data centres are experiencing increased demand, rising power requirements, and heightened security concerns. Cisco's 8223 aims to manage this by acting as a scalable and efficient fixed router for the transfer of AI traffic between data centres that can be separated by vast distances.

Martin Lund, Executive Vice President of Cisco's Common Hardware Group, stated, "AI compute is outgrowing the capacity of even the largest data center, driving the need for reliable, secure connection of data centers hundreds of miles apart. With the Cisco 8223, powered by the new Cisco Silicon One P200, we're delivering the massive bandwidth, scale and security needed for distributed data center architectures."

AI deployments are encountering the limits of both power and space within data centre environments. Hyperscale operators are now challenged to extend resources not by adding more within one location or connecting systems inside a centre, but by linking multiple sites in a 'scale-across' architecture. without suitable interconnects, organisations may see diminished performance, processing inefficiencies, and higher operational costs.

The 8223 aims to offer the flexibility and programmability necessary for constructing such networks, supporting deep buffering, network security, and reliable performance.

Technical details

The Cisco 8223 is built to be power efficient. It features a deep-buffer routing solution engineered for fixed deployments and operates with switch-like energy usage. The 3RU system is designed to maximise space efficiency as AI clusters extend their reach across multiple facilities.

In terms of scalability, the system offers 64 ports of 800G and is capable of processing over 20 billion packets per second, supporting 800G coherent optics for applications spanning up to 1000 kilometres. The deep-buffer capability is intended to handle surges in data traffic, such as those arising during AI training operations.

The system also brings programmability through the P200 silicon, supporting the introduction of new network protocols and standards with flexibility. This is aimed at preserving investment as networking requirements grow and change during the AI transformation.

On the security front, the 8223 incorporates hardware and software safeguards, including line-rate encryption based on post-quantum resilient algorithms and continuous monitoring tools. Integration with Cisco's observability platforms provides detailed performance analytics and issue detection to promote data security.

Deployment and flexibility

The Cisco 8223 will initially be available for open-source SONiC environments, with support for IOS XR in development. Additionally, the P200 chip will be made available in other modular platforms and disaggregated chassis to enable consistent architecture across different scales of network. Cisco's Nexus portfolio is also set to support systems based on the P200 in the future.

The Cisco Silicon One range, introduced in 2019, is positioned for data centre, hyperscaler, enterprise and service provider use cases.

Industry perspectives

"The increasing scale of the cloud and AI requires faster networks with more buffering to absorb bursts. We're pleased to see the P200 providing innovation and more options in this space. Microsoft was an early adopter of Silicon One, and the common ASIC architecture has made it easier for us to expand from our initial use cases to multiple roles in DC, WAN, and AI/ML environments." - Dave Maltz, Technical Fellow and Corporate Vice President, Azure Networking, Microsoft

Dennis Cai, Vice President and Head of Network Infrastructure at Alibaba Cloud, commented on the launch: "As Alibaba continues to invest in and expand the cloud infrastructure, DCI is a critical pillar of our strategy. We are pleased to see the launch of Cisco Silicon One P200, the industry's first 51.2T routing ASIC that delivers high bandwidth, lower power consumption, and full P4 programmability. This breakthrough chip aligns perfectly with the evolution of Alibaba's eCore architecture. We plan to leverage the P200 to build a single chip platform, serving as a foundational building block for expanding our eCore deployment.

"Beyond supporting our Cisco Silicon One Q200 deployment scenarios, this new routing chip will enable us to extend into the Core network, replacing traditional chassis-based routers with a cluster of P200-powered devices. This transition will significantly enhance the stability, reliability, and scalability of our DCI network while keeping the simplicity. In addition, we are developing and exploring innovative disaggregated architectures using Cisco G200 for our high-performance datacenter network. The introduction of this advanced routing chip marks a pivotal step forward, empowering Alibaba to accelerate innovation and drive infrastructure expansion in the AI era."

Dave Ward, Chief Technology Officer and Product Officer at Lumen, said, "As a long-standing Cisco customer, Lumen is actively advancing our network infrastructure to support the AI-driven economy. Cisco's 8000 Series, Cisco Silicon One and Cisco's pluggable optic technology represent key innovations that align with our goals for scalable, efficient multi-cloud connectivity. As we look to the future, we are exploring how the new Cisco 8223 technology may fit into our plans to enhance network performance and roll out superior services to our customers."

Patrick Moorhead, CEO and Chief Analyst for Moor Insights & Strategy, added, "As AI workloads rapidly outpace the capabilities of traditional data centers, the industry faces new challenges in bandwidth, reliability, and scale. The migration of data centers to remote locations or power access makes ultra-reliable, high-bandwidth interconnects essential. Cisco's 8223, powered by Silicon One P200, marks a significant step forward, delivering the industry's first 51.2-terabit fixed Ethernet router purpose-built for secure, power efficient scale-across networking."