Celestica Unveils High-Performance 1.6TbE Data Center Switches for AI/ML Applications
Celestica Inc. a global leader in design, manufacturing, supply chain, and platform solutions for some of the world’s most innovative companies, today announced the launch of two new 1.6TbE data center switches: the DS6000 and DS6001. These next-generation switches are engineered to meet the ever-increasing bandwidth and performance demands of artificial intelligence (AI) and machine learning (ML) workloads in modern data centers. In a move supporting the open networking ecosystem, Celestica plans to contribute the DS6000/DS6001 specifications to the Open Compute Project (OCP) community and list them on the OCP Marketplace under the OCP Inspired™ recognition.
The DS6000 is a 3RU, 64-port x 1.6TbE switch designed for traditional air-cooled data center environments. Meanwhile, the DS6001 offers a 2OU, 64-port x 1.6TbE configuration with hybrid cooling capabilities optimized for the 21-inch OCP ORv3 rack. Both switches leverage the powerful Broadcom Tomahawk 6 (TH6) switch chipset, delivering an impressive 102.4Tbps of switching capacity. These models represent a significant evolution within Celestica’s portfolio, effectively doubling the switch capacity compared to the company’s previous 800G solutions. In addition, they provide an extensive suite of AI routing features and versatile interconnect options tailored for high-performance AI cluster deployments.
“The introduction of our new 1.6TbE switches represents a major milestone for both Celestica and our customers,” said Gavin Cato, SVP & GM, Portfolio Solutions & AI Platform Engineering, Celestica. “The DS6000 and DS6001 usher in a new era of high-performance networking. By doubling the switching capacity of our existing solutions, these switches are purpose-built to support the unique demands of AI and ML cluster applications. Our presence at the OCP Global Summit underscores our ongoing commitment to advancing the open networking ecosystem.”
Key Features of the DS6000
The DS6000 delivers several critical advantages for data center operators seeking maximum performance and flexibility:
- Massive Capacity: 102.4Tbps switching performance with 224G SerDes lanes and support for LPO/LRO optics.
- High-Performance Ports: 64 x 1.6TbE OSFP ports capable of handling demanding workloads.
- Port Flexibility: Configurable port speeds of 50/100/200/400/800GbE to meet diverse networking requirements.
- Reliability: Redundant, field-replaceable fans and hot-swappable power supplies for uninterrupted operations.
- Airflow Options: Supports both forward and reverse airflow configurations to fit a range of data center designs.
DS6001: Optimized for Hybrid Cooling
The DS6001 delivers equivalent networking performance to the DS6000 but is engineered for hybrid cooling scenarios. By combining air and liquid cooling techniques, this 2U switch maximizes performance while improving energy efficiency and power utilization. Its design for the 21-inch OCP ORv3 rack ensures optimal density and reliability for high-performance AI environments.
Open Networking and SONiC Support
Both switches embrace an open-source Network Operating System (NOS) approach, compatible with Celestica Solutions for SONiC and other SONiC distributions. These validated and supported NOS deployments enable production-ready networks, allowing operators to deploy flexible solutions across data centers and edge environments. The open NOS strategy reinforces Celestica’s commitment to the evolving open networking community.
Industry Recognition and Event Showcase
The DS6000 and DS6001 will be featured at the OCP Global Summit 2025 in San Jose, California, from October 13-16, at booth B2. Attendees can explore Celestica’s high-performance switch offerings and learn more about the company’s contributions to AI/ML networking innovations.
Supporting Industry Commentary
“Celestica is harnessing the power of our latest Tomahawk 6 chipset to bring groundbreaking switches to market,” said Ram Velaga, Senior Vice President and GM, Core Switching Group, Broadcom. “Tomahawk 6 provides unparalleled switching capacity and low latency to meet the extreme demands of AI/ML workloads. Features like Cognitive Routing 2.0 and support for both scale-up and scale-out network topologies make these switches ideal for next-generation AI clusters. Celestica’s DS6000 and hybrid-cooled DS6001 switches exemplify the possibilities when innovative companies collaborate to optimize AI-era solutions.”
“Celestica’s new 1.6TbE switches extend their leadership in high-speed and AI networking,” noted Sameh Boujelbene, Vice President of Research, Dell’Oro Group. “After earning the 2024 Dell’Oro Market Share Leader Awards for both Ethernet Switch – AI Networks and High-Speed Networks (>800G), Celestica has proven its ability to meet growing AI infrastructure demands. With 102.4Tbps of capacity, the DS6000 and DS6001 further cement their position at the forefront of AI networking solutions.”
“This 1.6TbE switch family further establishes Celestica’s leadership in mission-critical enterprise networking,” added Alan Weckel, Founder and Technology Analyst, 650 Group. “While many vendors focus on hyperscalers, Celestica understands enterprise needs, delivering not only raw speed but also the reliability and ecosystem support essential for large-scale data centers.”
With the DS6000 and DS6001, Celestica continues to define the future of high-performance networking, offering AI-ready solutions that combine speed, efficiency, and open networking flexibility.
