Driven by the rapid development of artificial intelligence (AI), large-scale model training, cloud computing, and data-intensive applications, data center networks are undergoing a fundamental transformation. Bandwidth demand is growing exponentially, application sensitivity to latency continues to increase, and energy efficiency has become a core operational concern. Traditional electronic switching–centric architectures are approaching their physical and economic limits in terms of port density, power consumption, and scalability.

Optical switches enable direct optical-layer path establishment and reconfiguration, bypassing optical-electrical-optical (O/E/O) conversion. This capability positions optical switching as a foundational technology for next-generation data center networks. This white paper provides a comprehensive overview of optical switching technologies, application scenarios, solution architectures, and the tangible business value they deliver. It also outlines GLSUN’s system-level capabilities in delivering scalable, reliable, and future-ready optical switching solutions for modern data centers.

1. Key Challenges in Modern Data Center Networks
1.1 Explosive Bandwidth Growth
AI training, distributed storage, and high-performance computing (HPC) workloads have shifted traffic patterns from predominantly north–south to highly intensive east–west flows. Link rates are rapidly evolving from 100G to 400G and beyond, placing unprecedented pressure on existing switching infrastructures.

1.2 Latency as a Bottleneck to Compute Efficiency
In latency-sensitive workloads such as AI model training and real-time analytics, network delay directly impacts overall compute efficiency. Multi-tier electronic switching and repeated O/E/O conversions introduce unavoidable latency overhead.

1.3 Rising Energy and Operational Costs
Network equipment power consumption and cooling requirements now represent a significant portion of data center operating expenses. Electronic switches scale power consumption proportionally with bandwidth, making high-capacity networks increasingly costly to operate.

1.4 Limited Scalability of Traditional Architectures
Electronic switching fabrics are constrained by ASIC I/O bandwidth and port density, limiting their ability to scale cost-effectively in hyperscale and ultra-large data center environments.

2. Overview of Optical Switching Technology
2.1 Fundamental Principles of Optical Switching
An optical switch enables the selection, routing, and reconfiguration of optical signals directly at the physical layer. By establishing end-to-end optical paths without intermediate electrical processing, optical switches significantly reduce latency and power consumption while unlocking the full capacity of optical fiber.

2.2 Main Optical Switching Technologies
MEMS Optical Switches: Support large port counts and are well suited for OCS/OXC architectures in data centers
Magneto Optical Switches: Provide high stability and reliability for fixed or semi-static switching scenarios
Wavelength Selective Switches WSS: Enable wavelength-level routing and are widely used in ROADM systems

2.3 Role of Optical Switches in Data Centers
Optical switches are evolving from auxiliary components into architecture-level building blocks, forming the foundation of all-optical interconnects, compute networks, and next-generation data center infrastructures.

3. Optical Switching Solution Architectures for Data Centers
3.1 Hybrid Optical–Electronic Switching Architecture
In existing data centers, optical switches can be deployed alongside electronic switches. High-bandwidth, long-lived flows are handled at the optical layer, while fine-grained packet processing remains in the electrical domain. This hybrid approach balances performance, cost, and investment protection.

3.2 All-Optical Interconnect (OCS) Solutions
OCS-based architectures use optical switches to establish direct physical connections between server clusters. These solutions are particularly suited for · · AI training and HPC environments, delivering:
· Ultra-high bandwidth connectivity
· Microsecond-level path reconfiguration
· Extremely low and stable power consumption

3.3 Data Center Interconnect (DCI) Optical Switching Solutions
For inter-campus or inter-city DCI networks, optical switches enable optical-layer grooming, protection switching, and dynamic path allocation, improving link utilization and network resilience.

4. Key Application Scenarios
4.1 AI Compute Cluster Networking
By leveraging optical switches for direct high-bandwidth connections between GPU and AI nodes, data centers can reduce multi-hop switching latency, minimize congestion, and significantly improve overall cluster utilization.

4.2 Intra–Data Center Large-Scale Interconnect
In data centers with tens of thousands of servers, optical switching simplifies network hierarchy, enhances scalability, and enables more efficient traffic engineering.

4.3 Optical Network Protection and Fast Restoration
Optical switches support rapid path protection and restoration, enabling millisecond-level or faster link switching to ensure uninterrupted operation of mission-critical services.

4.4 Network Monitoring and Operational Automation
Through programmable optical path control, optical switches enable centralized fiber monitoring and testing, reducing troubleshooting time and lowering operational complexity.

5. Business and Operational Value
5.1 Performance Value
· Massive bandwidth scalability
· Ultra-low and deterministic latency
· Optimized support for emerging compute workloads

5.2 Cost and Energy Efficiency
· Reduced network power consumption
· Fewer intermediate devices
· Lower total cost of ownership (TCO)

5.3 Architectural Value
· Long-term network evolution capability
· Enhanced resource scheduling flexibility
· Foundation for fully optical data center networks

6. GLSUN Capabilities in Data Center Optical Switching Solutions
As a long-term innovator in optical communication technologies, GLSUN has built comprehensive capabilities around optical switching solutions tailored for data center and compute network evolution. GLSUN focuses not only on individual products, but on delivering scalable, system-level solutions ready for real-world deployment.

6.1 Comprehensive Optical Switching Product Portfolio
GLSUN offers a broad range of optical switching products designed to meet diverse data center requirements, including:
· High port-count OCS/OXC optical switches for intra-data center and cluster-level connectivity
· 1×N and 2×N optical switch modules for network protection and path selection
Optical-layer switching products compatible with WDM, OTN, and ROADM systems
· All products are engineered to meet stringent data center standards for low insertion loss, high reliability, and continuous 7×24 operation.

6.2 System-Level Solution Design
· GLSUN delivers end-to-end optical switching solutions aligned with different deployment stages and application scenarios. This system-level approach enables customers to achieve optimal balance between performance, scalability, and cost.
· Seamless integration with existing electronic switching networks to protect customer investments
· OCS-based all-optical interconnect solutions for AI and HPC clusters
Optical switching solutions for DCI networks with built-in protection and flexible path control

6.3 Engineering-Grade Reliability and Deployment Capability
GLSUN applies rigorous engineering and quality assurance practices to ensure stable operation in large-scale data center environments:
· Long-term component reliability and environmental testing
· Redundant power supplies and control modules
· Comprehensive factory testing and on-site deployment support
· These measures significantly reduce operational risk and maintenance complexity for customers.

6.4 Future-Oriented Evolution Capability
As data centers continue evolving toward all-optical and compute-centric network architectures, GLSUN is committed to ongoing innovation in optical switching core technologies, automation, and intelligent control. This ensures support for larger port counts, faster reconfiguration times, and deeper integration with intelligent network orchestration systems. GLSUN aims to be a long-term, trusted optical network partner for data center operators worldwide.

As data centers transition toward compute networks and all-optical interconnect architectures, optical switches are becoming core scheduling elements rather than auxiliary components. By adopting optical switching–centric solutions, data center operators can achieve significant improvements in bandwidth scalability, latency performance, energy efficiency, and long-term flexibility.

Backed by a comprehensive product portfolio, system-level solution design, and proven engineering expertise, GLSUN’s optical switching solutions provide a practical and future-proof pathway for data center network evolution. Optical switching is not merely a technology upgrade—it is a strategic infrastructure investment for the next generation of data centers.