ENGLISH OVERVIEW
Network Switches
Connecting servers through chips, optics and software
A network switch combines a switching ASIC, ports, board circuits, software and cables or optical modules. AI-cluster traffic makes switching capacity, port density, power and reliability important design conditions.
Three industrial roles
Switch-chip suppliers, branded system providers and hardware designers or manufacturers deliver different products and services. A company may cover several roles.
- Network switches forward traffic between devices; internal GPU NVSwitch links operate at a different system level.
Why optical placement matters
Front-panel pluggables require a high-speed electrical path from the ASIC. CPO brings optical engines closer on a shared package platform, changing loss, power and maintenance considerations.
- Power, control and other PCB circuits remain. Effects on high-speed CCL depend on the actual product, not a universal increase or decrease.
Companies by industry role
Connected industry roles
Links describe supply, classification, technology or services. They do not establish transactions between individual companies.
Printed Circuit Boards → Network Switches
Board-level circuits
Switches still need power, control and interconnect boards; optical architectures alter some high-speed paths.
Broadcom | CPO and high-speed electrical pathsAI Servers ↔ Network Switches
Networking across nodes
Servers connect through network interfaces and switches; this differs from dedicated GPU interconnects within a system.
NVIDIA | DGX B200 hardware componentsCo-Packaged Optics ↔ Network Switches
Optical-architecture option
Some switches use CPO to shorten high-speed electrical paths between the ASIC and optical engines.
Broadcom | CPO and high-speed electrical pathsPluggable Optical Transceivers → Network Switches
Pluggable data interface
Compatible optical modules fit switch ports; selection depends on speed, reach and fiber.
Cisco | Optical transceiver datasheets and product categoriesNetwork Switches → AI Data Centers
Networking between systems
Switching equipment supports different data-center networks with different connectivity purposes.
NVIDIA | Data-center networking and storage architectureSwitching ASICs → Network Switches
Switching chip within equipment
ASIC switching functions combine with boards, optics, power and software to form a switch.
Broadcom | Switch siliconSwitch Brands and System Solutions → Network Switches
Products, software and support
System providers define products and offer network software and customer support.
Arista | Switches and network softwareSwitch Design and Manufacturing → Network Switches
System design, manufacturing and testing
Hardware platforms may serve brands or go directly to cloud and enterprise customers.
Celestica | Open switch platformsDirect-to-chip cold plates ↔ Network Switches
Liquid cooling option for switches
QCT | Liquid-cooled network switchCPO platforms & systems → Network Switches
Switches using CPO
NVIDIA | Optical integration, coupling, packaging and ELSNetwork Switches ↔ Rack design and system integration
External fabric according to topology
Functional or process relationship; not a contract among every company listed.
NVIDIA | MGX architecture and system partnersActive optical cables (AOC) → Network Switches
Switch optical-cable links
AOC serves compatible switch ports, not arbitrary ports or protocols.
Centera | 800G QSFP-DD AOCMicro-emitter optics / ALC ↔ Network Switches
Row-scale network design target
The 1.6T ALC announcement targets row-scale links with planned 2027 shipments; it is not deployment evidence.
Credo | 1.6T ZeroFlap ALC announcement and shipment planSources
- NVIDIA | Data-center switches and network topologies
- Broadcom | CPO and high-speed electrical paths
- Broadcom | CPO switching products
- NVIDIA | AI-cluster compute and management network topologies
- NVIDIA | Quantum InfiniBand switches
- NVIDIA | Spectrum Ethernet platform
- Broadcom | CPO switching products
- Broadcom | Merchant switching silicon
- Cisco | Silicon One switching silicon
- Accton | ODM design, manufacturing and switch-chip integration
- Celestica | Open networking platforms
- Arista | Switches and network software