Cisco AI agents automate network tasks at machine speed
▼ Summary
– Cisco announced new AI-optimized routers and switches for campus deployments, including the 8100-8500 series with triple the throughput of previous models.
– The company introduced new network management software featuring its Deep Network Model LLM to automate tasks like troubleshooting and workflow optimization.
– Cisco unveiled enhanced Catalyst switches (9350 and 9610) offering 51.2 Tbps throughput and ultra-low latency for high-stakes AI applications.
– A unified management platform combines control of Catalyst, Meraki, and industrial switches, powered by Cisco’s domain-specific Deep Network Model LLM.
– Cisco’s AgenticOps framework automates AI agent development and deployment, aiming to streamline enterprise workflows with autonomous AI orchestration.
Cisco has unveiled a major upgrade to its networking hardware and software, integrating advanced AI capabilities to automate complex network operations at unprecedented speeds. The announcement, made during the Cisco Live event in San Diego, introduces next-generation routers, switches, and management tools designed to handle the growing demands of AI-driven enterprise networks.
The new Catalyst and Meraki hardware includes routers like the 8100-8500 series, delivering triple the throughput of previous models, alongside switches such as the 9350 and 9610, which support 51.2 terabits per second with ultra-low latency. These enhancements aim to support high-performance AI applications in campus and industrial environments. Additionally, Cisco introduced the Meraki 9179F Wi-Fi access point and ruggedized switches featuring Ultra-Reliable Wireless Backhaul (URWB), a wireless alternative to fiber optics.
At the software level, Cisco’s Deep Network Model, a domain-specific large language model (LLM), powers its AI Assistant, a natural language tool that identifies network issues, diagnoses root causes, and automates workflows, reducing troubleshooting from hours to seconds. Currently in public beta, the AI Assistant is part of a broader push toward AgenticOps, a framework where AI agents autonomously manage and refine network operations.
Another innovation, AI Canvas, provides a collaborative interface for security, network, and DevOps teams, streamlining cross-functional workflows. Expected to enter testing with select customers this fall, it exemplifies Cisco’s vision of intelligent, self-optimizing networks.
AgenticOps represents a shift beyond traditional DevOps, automating the entire lifecycle of AI-driven applications—from initial coding to continuous refinement. Cisco’s approach leverages real-time telemetry and deep domain expertise to enable machine-speed decision-making while keeping IT teams in control.
For more details on Cisco’s latest advancements, visit their official news page. Stay updated with the latest tech developments by subscribing to our daily newsletter.
(Source: ZDNET)
