# Cisco's OCP message: Network is AI's critical path

> Cisco's network openness becomes AI's critical path, with security as the price of admission.
- Title: Cisco's OCP message: Network is AI's critical path | Shortify
- Summary: Cisco's network openness becomes AI's critical path, with security as the price of admission. Cisco's OCP strategy shifts network infrastructure to be AI's…
- Keywords: cisco, ocp, network, openness, security, sonic, gpu, hyperscalers, ai infrastructure, technology, enterprise, Cisco's
- Source: SiliconANGLE — https://siliconangle.com/2026/10/13/ciscos-ocp-message-the-network-is-now-ais-critical-path-and-openness-is-the-price-of-admission
- Author: Zeus Kerravala
- Published: 2026-10-13T15:26:40+00:00
- Read time: 1 min
- Topics: cisco, ocp, ai, network, openness, security, sonic, gpu, hyperscalers, ai infrastructure, technology, enterprise
## Cisco's shift from closed to open model
Cisco moved from vertically integrated products to openness under Chief Product Officer Jeetu Patel.
## AI infrastructure demands new network scale
Large AI clusters now span campuses and regions, requiring networks to handle massive synchronized GPU flows.
## Network must scale-across for AI
Networks need to carry small numbers of massive, synchronized GPU flows instead of many small independent flows.
## USFP optics module for AI
Cisco's Ultra-Dense Small Form Factor Pluggable delivers 12.8 terabits per second with four times the bandwidth density.
## Open at every layer of stack
Cisco offers open interfaces from P4 programmability to Kubernetes layer with SONiC, FBOSS, and custom NOS.
## SONiC becomes first-class OS
Cisco considers SONiC a first-class network operating system with community builds and turnkey Cisco-validated versions.
## Intelligent Collective Networking standard
Cisco's G300 detects remote congestion and link failures with hardware-level signaling to ingress leaf.
## Live Protect security for AI
Live Protect applies kernel-level shields without downtime to protect against rapid CVE exploits.
## Security as critical for AI
Cisco's security engineering now supports open operating systems with line-rate quantum-resilient encryption.
## AI infrastructure requires open networks
Networks must balance open interfaces with security to avoid downtime during critical AI training cycles.
## Cisco's AI strategy
Cisco bets on silicon, optics, systems engineering and support while letting customers choose top-layer solutions.
## Key takeaway

Cisco's OCP strategy shifts network infrastructure to be AI's critical path, requiring openness for security and compatibility.