Cisco expands SONiC support to Nexus switches for AI networking

Vendors including Cisco, Microsoft, and Nokia promoted SONiC as an open Ethernet platform for artificial intelligence networking during last week’s Open Compute Project Global Summit. Cisco specifically announced that its validated SONiC software is now available on its N9000 Series switches featuring Cisco Cloud Scale silicon.

The N9000 Series supports high-density 100G and 400G enterprise and web-scale leaf-spine tiers. Cisco also extended the offering to the N9100 Series, which utilizes Nvidia Spectrum-X ASICs for high-throughput, loss-sensitive backend AI fabrics. These announcements were part of a broader effort to integrate SONiC across the Cisco multi-silicon Nexus switching portfolio.

Market growth and technical features

SONiC is a Linux-based network operating system that separates network software from underlying hardware. This architecture allows the software to run on hundreds of switches and application-specific integrated circuits from various vendors. The platform supports a comprehensive suite of network features, including Border Gateway Protocol, remote direct memory access, quality of service, and Ethernet/IP.

The 650 Group forecasts that revenue from SONiC-based data center switching will surpass $5 billion in 2026. This growth is driven by hyperscalers such as Microsoft Azure and Google Cloud, alongside expanding community-hardened architecture for neoclouds and enterprise environments. The modularity and programmability of the system make it a viable option for traditional networking bases.

Unified infrastructure for enterprises

Cisco stated that extending SONiC to its Nexus switches creates a unified, end-to-end open network fabric for organizations deploying 8000 Series routers across WAN backbones. This integration allows customers to eliminate vendor silos and leverage a single supply chain. Users can also utilize shared FRR routing tools and one Technical Assistance Center contract from the WAN edge deep into the data center core.

Surbhi Paul, director of product management for data center AI networking at Cisco, noted that this completes SONiC integration across the Nexus portfolio. Cisco already supports the software on its fixed and modular 8000 Series routers. The vendor is also extending the offering to the Cisco Silicon One ASIC-powered N9000 Series for ultra-high-density fabrics.

What should you do?

Security and network professionals should evaluate their current switching infrastructure to determine if open network operating systems align with their AI and cloud strategies. Review vendor roadmaps to understand hardware compatibility and support commitments for open platforms like SONiC. Monitor industry forecasts and vendor announcements to anticipate shifts in data center networking architectures.

What to do and how to stay safe: Cisco

• Assess current switching hardware for compatibility with open network operating systems.
• Review vendor documentation to understand support levels for multi-silicon environments.
• Monitor industry reports for changes in data center networking revenue and adoption trends.
• Evaluate the need for unified network fabrics across WAN and data center core components.

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Frequently asked questions

Which Cisco switches now support SONiC?

Cisco announced SONiC availability on the N9000 Series with Cisco Cloud Scale silicon and the N9100 Series with Nvidia Spectrum-X ASICs.

What is the projected revenue for SONiC-based switching?

The 650 Group forecasts that SONiC-based data center switching revenue will surge past $5 billion in 2026.

What features does SONiC support?

The platform supports Border Gateway Protocol, remote direct memory access, quality of service, and Ethernet/IP.