Cisco punts network-security integration as key for agentic AI

Cisco is talking up the integration of security into network infrastructure such as its latest Catalyst switches, claiming this is vital to AI applications, and in particular the current vogue for "agentic AI." What we did was to imagine if a switch actually had dedicated compute that was isolated, that could run workloads …

[ecarlseen]

"Let's take this horrible, immature tech that doesn't work and everyone hates...

...and put it in charge of the really important stuff."

Am I the only one who foresees entire categories of fun and exciting new DoS attacks against network infrastructure monitored by agentic AI?

Maybe we should let agentic AI evolve beyond the point where any sane person's response to it popping up on a website is to immediately close the window first?

I mean, I try it maybe once a month just out of morbid curiosity and it never fails to exceed my expectations for disappointment. If anything, it seems to be getting worse.

But, no, Cisco and HPE and everyone else who desperately needs to churn their customer base is perfectly happy to drive us all straight off the cliff, full speed ahead!

[sanmigueelbeer]

Re: "Let's take this horrible, immature tech that doesn't work and everyone hates...

...and put it in charge of the really important stuff."

Let's do. Let us put a buggy AI on top of an equally buggy (and unreliable) IOS-XE and see where it goes. I mean, what could possibly go wrong?

[Androgynous Cow Herd]

Missing the point...

"Cisco developing its own silicon lets it own the full stack, covering everything from the chips to the network infrastructure, to the security infrastructure, to models, to the data platform."

Mkay - and that approach from the #4 (and sinking fast) player in this sort of networking benefits whom?

The turn of phrase "own the full stack" is so classic 2000s Cisco. Reminds me a great deal of the big flap about Cisco UCS. Anyone still running that craptacular, inflexible, and frankly dumb-ass architecture today? Why? In particular, would you ever consider it as a viable alternative for AI workload to the stuff that is coming out of Nvidia, Ampere, Arista or even Dell?

Would you trust the minds that shoved FCoE down your throat to get it right this time?

Cisco "Owning the stack" would only stifle innovation in this space - of course, the AI hypocalypse could use a good stifling, if not a smothering...

[sanmigueelbeer]

Re: Missing the point...

Cisco "Owning the stack" would only stifle innovation in this space

`tis called "vendor lock-in" which Cisco is a very strong advocate.

[Tron]

The AI scam keeps rolling on.

This bubble has to burst eventually. How long can they fool people? Everyone hates it. Nobody wants AI customer service. It is undermining trust in computing. It is a legal and security risk. It wastes energy and water, and will create vast amounts of e-waste. It costs a fortune and there is no ROI.

FFS, switch your spending away from this crap into basic security before you get malwared into bankruptcy.

[Erythrite]

Hey Siri, sell CSCO.