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Blog • • 3 minute read

Cisco AI PODs: A Groundbreaking Advancement in AI Infrastructure

Cisco AI PODs offer a plug-and-play AI infrastructure solution, integrating compute, storage, networking, and the NVIDIA AI Enterprise software platform for seamless deployment. Optimized for various AI workloads, these pre-validated bundles accelerate AI adoption, ensuring scalability and efficiency. Centralized management and flexible integration make AI infrastructure straightforward and future-ready. Available now!

Plug-and-Play Approach to AI Infrastructure

Cisco AI PODs provide four right-sized, validated infrastructure bundles optimized for specific AI workloads, such as edge inferencing, large-scale clusters, and retrieval-augmented generation on (RAG) deployments. Each POD integrates UCS X-Series-based compute and GPU, storage, networking, and cloud management components into a plug-and-play experience that simplifies the purchasing of AI infrastructure. This approach enables faster time to production-ready AI inferencing and data analysis.

Key benefits of Cisco AI PODs include:

  • Pre-validated Designs: Based on Cisco Validated Designs (CVDs), AI PODs built on the UCS X-Series and NVIDIA accelerated computing ensure compatibility and ease of deployment, facilitating seamless integration with existing infrastructure.
  • Comprehensive Software Stack: Each POD includes NVIDIA AI Enterprise, an end-to-end, cloud-native platform that accelerates the development and deployment of production-grade generative AI pipelines, helping businesses scale AI initiatives with minimal friction.

Centralized Management and Flexible Integration for Scalable AI Infrastructure

Cisco AI PODs, managed through Cisco Intersight, offer centralized control, monitoring, and automation across the entire UCS X-Series-based infrastructure. This centralized management enables real-time visibility into network performance, streamlines day-to-day operations, and provides policy-based orchestration that supports DevOps and MLOps practices. Cisco Intersight's capabilities ensure that organizations can efficiently monitor and adjust resources as AI requirements evolve, making AI infrastructure management both straightforward and predictable. Additionally, to enhance deployment flexibility, Cisco AI PODs integrate with third-party storage solutions like Pure Storage and NetApp and are compatible with hybrid cloud environments. Leveraging the adaptable UCS X-Series modular system, these PODs support a variety of AI workloads. The UCS X-Series' modularity and compatibility with NVIDIA accelerated computing allow enterprises to deploy configurations from edge to large-scale inferencing clusters, enabling seamless scaling as business needs grow and change.

Competitive Advantage for a Future-Ready AI Infrastructure

Cisco AI PODs, anchored by the UCS X-Series modular system, stand out as a versatile, future-ready solution, particularly when compared to similar offerings from direct competitors in the compute market. With plug-and-play deployment, modular design, and cloud-native management, AI PODs simplify and accelerate the adoption of AI, addressing a critical need in the market for scalable, efficient AI infrastructure. The UCS X-Series' flexible design and Cisco's integrated ecosystem support allow enterprises to embark on their AI journey confidently, with the assurance of long-term compatibility with emerging AI technologies.

Availability and Next Steps

Cisco AI PODs are available now, with additional components like the Nexus Hyperfabric in 2025. By providing an all-encompassing, easy-to-deploy AI infrastructure solution centered around the UCS X-Series, Cisco AI PODs enable organizations to unlock the power of AI with efficiency, scalability, and ease. Please visit our AI Proving Ground for more information or reach out to your WWT sales team and inquire about a demo. 

Technologies