Key Points
- Cisco introduced 800G linear pluggable optics (LPO) modules for its Silicon One-based platforms to reduce power consumption and support high-throughput AI networking.
- LPO moves signal processing from optical modules to switches, cutting power use by 30-50% when paired with compatible systems.
- While not plug-and-play, LPO offers a stepping stone toward more advanced optical tech like co-packaged optics for AI-focused networks.
Cisco is expanding its efforts to support artificial intelligence (AI) workloads and high-density networking through new Linear Pluggable Optics (LPO) technology.
As part of the company’s recent Silicon One launch, Cisco unveiled a 102.4 Terabit per second G300 chip and new high-performance switches. Alongside this, Cisco introduced 800G LPO modules for its Nexus 9000 and 8000 series platforms. These modules are aimed at AI and GPU clusters, data center interconnects, and other environments that require high speed and energy efficiency.
A key advantage of LPO is its ability to reduce power usage by moving signal processing out of the optical module and into the host switch. For Cisco, this process leverages the advanced serializer/deserializer (SerDes) capabilities built into its Silicon One chips. Gartner, a senior Cisco executive, explained, “For customers deploying Silicon One on both ends of the link, there’s a 30% or 50% power reduction.”
However, Gartner clarified that LPO is not entirely plug-and-play. The system requires careful matching with compatible devices and “pairwise testing” to ensure full functionality. “We can’t make a claim that you can take our 800G LPO, or anybody else’s, and just plug it into anybody’s host,” he said.
Cisco has also placed strong emphasis on reliability. In previous testing, the company found that many 100G and 400G optics—even those meeting industry standards—failed under stress when exposed to changes in temperature, voltage, or signal alignment. According to Gartner, “None of those optics passed our stress test.” Cisco aims to raise awareness of this issue for enterprise customers.
Looking ahead, Cisco plans to extend LPO support to future Silicon One-based platforms. Eventually, the company sees co-packaged optics (CPO) playing a significant role—particularly for large-scale AI deployments, though Gartner warns that short-term production issues could create reliability risks.
The company believes LPO offers lower complexity and smaller impact in case of failure compared to alternatives. “You’ve got one pluggable that might have to be replaced,” Gartner said. “So, you’ve certainly got less of a blast radius with LPO.”
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