POLATIS Optical Switching Technology Enables High-Performance Connectivity For HPC And AI Environments

Next week at SC25, the International Conference for High Performance Computing, Networking, Storage, and Analysis in St. Louis, Missouri, HUBER+SUHNER is once again powering the world’s most advanced temporary network and showcasing the growing role of optical switching in next-generation AI infrastructures.

The company’s POLATIS optical circuit switching technology is central to SCinet, the world’s fastest temporary network, and a key enabler within exhibitor Drut Technologies’ photonic-native infrastructure for artificial intelligence. Together, these implementations demonstrate how optical circuit switching can simplify high-performance networks, deliver rapid reconfiguration, and maximise the efficiency of compute resources across demanding environments.

“The need for flexible, high-bandwidth connectivity is increasing across every layer of the network, from test and measurement to commercial AI data centers,” said Drew Martin, Market Manager at HUBER+SUHNER. “By automating the optical layer, our POLATIS technology gives operators complete control over their fiber infrastructure reducing complexity, accelerating workflows, and supporting sustainable scalability.”

Replacing complex manual patching and fixed interconnects, the POLATIS optical circuit switch (OCS) provides a dynamic, software-controlled fiber layer for seamless connectivity between high-speed network links. Deployed as part of SCinet, the POLATIS Series 6000 192x192-port OCS delivers ultra-low insertion loss, dark fiber switching capability and embedded SDN control. These features allow network engineers to rapidly establish, modify, or reroute hundreds of optical connections in seconds to ensure flexible, high-bandwidth performance throughout the event.

In parallel, Drut Technologies is leveraging the same POLATIS technology to build a disaggregated photonic-native infrastructure that virtualises compute, storage, and acceleration resources within AI data center environments. By enabling real-time optical interconnects, the solution allows data centre operators to compose and reallocate resources instantly, improving utilisation and energy efficiency while reducing operational complexity.

The collaboration between HUBER+SUHNER and Drut highlights how optical circuit switching is redefining data-intensive architectures from test lab automation and network monitoring to AI data centers. POLATIS switches are at the core of this transformation, delivering scalable, programmable, and energy-efficient connectivity.

2025 also marks the 25th anniversary of POLATIS optical circuit switching, underscoring the company’s longstanding innovation and leadership in optical connectivity for test labs, telecom networks, and data centers worldwide.

Visit the SCinet demo area or Drut Technologies on booth #5423 during SC25, held November 16–21, 2025, to see the POLATIS optical circuit switching technology in action.

Explore POLATIS optical circuit switching (https://www.hubersuhner.com/en/optical-circuit-switching)

About HUBER+SUHNER Group
The globally active Swiss company HUBER+SUHNER develops and produces components and system solutions for electrical and optical connectivity. The company serves the three main markets Industry, Communication and Transportation with applications from the three technologies of radio frequency, fiber optics and low frequency. HUBER+SUHNER products excel in excellent performance, quality, reliability and long service lives - even under the most demanding conditions. Through a global production network, combined with subsidiaries and representatives in over 80 countries, the company is close to its customers worldwide.