Cisco and Nvidia Present Compelling AI Infrastructure Alternative to Major Cloud Providers

Cisco and Nvidia have announced a powerful partnership aimed at delivering integrated AI hardware and software solutions designed specifically for the data center. This collaboration offers corporate clients a viable alternative to the AI infrastructure currently dominated by major cloud service providers, such as AWS, Microsoft Azure, and Google Cloud.

Through this alliance, Nvidia’s cutting-edge AI technologies, including its advanced Tensor Core GPUs, will be accessible via Cisco’s next-generation M7 UCS rack and blade servers. This includes the Cisco UCS X-Series and UCS X-Series Direct servers, optimized for handling demanding AI workloads both within data centers and at the network edge. Additionally, Nvidia’s AI Enterprise platform—comprising various software frameworks, pre-trained models, and essential tools—will also be integrated into Cisco’s offerings.

Beginning this month, Cisco will introduce Validated Designs (CVDs) that facilitate the deployment and management of AI clusters tailored for diverse use cases. These CVDs will support FlexPod and FlashStack solutions for Generative AI inferencing, leveraging the capabilities of Nvidia AI Enterprise. Moreover, corporate clients will benefit from Cisco's expansive global partner network, providing them with the necessary support, guidance, and expertise to adopt AI and automation effectively.

“As businesses worldwide race to transform with generative AI, our collaboration with Cisco simplifies the process for enterprises to harness the infrastructure necessary to leverage this powerful technology,” said Jensen Huang, founder and CEO of Nvidia. He underscored the importance of this partnership in facilitating enterprise access to AI capabilities.

Chuck Robbins, CEO of Cisco, echoed this sentiment, stating, “AI is fundamentally reshaping our work and lives. Such significant transformations require enterprises to rethink and redesign their infrastructure. By strengthening our long-standing partnership with Nvidia, we are equipping organizations with the technology and knowledge needed to build, deploy, manage, and secure scalable AI solutions.”

This alliance not only signifies a meaningful advancement in the field of AI infrastructure but also highlights the ongoing shift towards innovative technologies that empower enterprises to thrive in an increasingly competitive landscape. As companies continue to evolve their operations with AI, this partnership positions Cisco and Nvidia as key players in driving digital transformation across various industries.