Cisco Unveils N9300 Series Smart Switches for Enhanced Data Center Security
San Jose, Tuesday, 11 February 2025.
Cisco’s new N9300 Series Smart Switches integrate AMD Pensando DPUs, offering AI-driven security and scalable data center architecture, crucial for modernizing European company infrastructures.
Revolutionary Integration of Hardware and Security
Cisco’s groundbreaking announcement on February 10, 2025, introduces the N9300 Series Smart Switches, featuring embedded AMD Pensando DPUs and intelligent networking silicon [1][2]. The new switches offer an impressive 800G service throughput, with the N9324C model providing 24 100G ports and the N9348Y2C6D model featuring 48 25G ports, 2 100G ports, and 6 400G ports [2]. This hardware innovation directly addresses the growing demands of AI workloads, with Cisco’s Executive VP and Chief Product Officer, Jeetu Patel, emphasizing that ‘data center infrastructure needs to be reimagined for both AI training and inferencing workloads that dwarf even the largest enterprise jobs of the past’ [1].
Advanced Security Architecture with Cisco Hypershield
The first service deployed on these innovative switches will be Cisco Hypershield, marking a significant advancement in integrated security solutions [1]. The DPUs enable critical security features including stateful segmentation, NAT, IPsec encryption, IDS/IPS capabilities, event-based telemetry, and DDoS protection [2]. This integration is particularly timely, as Gartner notes that ‘increased cyberthreats, such as ransomware attacks targeting critical infrastructure, can cripple data center operations’ [2].
Deployment and Availability Timeline
Cisco has outlined a clear deployment schedule for the N9300 Series Smart Switches. The first model featuring 24 100G ports is scheduled for general availability in spring 2025, followed by the top-of-rack model in summer 2025 [1]. The switches offer flexible deployment options suitable for both new installations and existing data centers, allowing organizations to implement upgrades at their own pace [2]. AMD’s collaboration with Cisco promises to deliver high-capacity throughput without compromising workload performance, as highlighted by Soni Jiandani, SVP and GM of AMD’s Networking Technology and Solutions Group [1].
Market Impact and Future Implications
This launch represents a significant shift in data center architecture, particularly for organizations transitioning to hybrid strategies incorporating both private and public clouds [2]. The integration of these smart switches aims to address escalating security and operational challenges while providing scalability and reduced latency through intelligent traffic redirection [2]. The system’s ability to enhance complex data processing by offloading tasks to DPUs marks a new era in network architecture and security [1].