Front end networks to generate $100 billion in sales

According to a recently published report by Dell’Oro Group, Ethernet data center switches deployed in non-accelerated infrastructure, or “Front-End Networks”, are forecast to generate more than $100B in sales over the next five years.

By 2028, 51.2 and 102.4 Tbps network chips are expected to enable the deployment of nearly 100M shipments of 800 Gbps and 1.6 Tbps switch ports in front-end networks. AI infrastructure build-outs, also known as “Back-End Networks”, have the potential to double these deployments.

“While Cloud Service Providers’ focus in the near term is on building AI back-end networks to support their AI infrastructure, we anticipate an accelerated pace of investments in front-end networks in the second half of our forecast horizon," said Sameh Boujelbene, Vice President at Dell’Oro Group. "Despite exponential growth opportunities in back-end networks, front-end networks are expected to continue driving the bulk of Ethernet data center switch sales over the next few years. Maintaining robust spending in front-end networks remains, therefore, essential to boosting the performance of major Ethernet switch suppliers.

“While back-end network will be the first to migrate to higher speed, we anticipate 51.2 Tbps-based switch deployment in front-end network to debut in 2024 and to enable a swift adoption of 800 Gbps. 102.4 Tbps-based switch deployments are expected to follow in 2025/2026 time frame and enable a second wave of 800 Gbps and the initial wave of 1.6 Tbps deployment,” added Boujelbene.

Additional highlights from the Ethernet Switch—Data Center 5-Year July 2024 Forecast Report:

Linear Drive Pluggable Optics (LPOs), an alternative to Co-Packaged Optics (CPOs), are expected to gain material traction during our forecast horizon.

SONiC (Software for Open Networking in the Cloud) adoption is expected to accelerate, achieving a 10-20 percent penetration rate in Tier 2/3 Cloud service providers and large enterprises by 2028.

A new Hoare Lea report finds that data centre planning applications are being delayed by an average...
Ellis Patents has launched the Hercules Heavy Duty Cable Hanger for use in data centres, aimed at...
A demonstration of hydrogen-fuelled engines has been completed as part of testing for data centre...
Vantage Data Centers has appointed a new Global Chief People Officer and Chief Operating Officer...
Xference has introduced its European AI infrastructure in Italy, with the beta phase now open to...
Russelectric’s transfer switches with bypass/isolation functionality are designed to support...
STL has launched Neuralis, a data centre connectivity solution suite, at Data Center World 2026.
Bull has secured a contract to provide AI infrastructure for the Mimer AI Factory in Sweden,...