Regarding that Nvidia $1.1B backlog, it’s highly likely they are related to Rubin’s upcoming products.
There has been talk about the ICE-D optical interface, but what about this PSE-6e optical processor, which is apparently also required for the GPU to route data? Is the reason Nvidia is already using Nokia’s Linux networking system to ensure it directly supports the new processor in Rubin later on?
Nvidia is moving from the Blackwell architecture towards the Rubin architecture (estimated 2026–2027), and Nokia’s optical technology plays a crucial role in this transition.
Here is a comparison of how data transfer challenges change from Blackwell to Rubin and how Nokia’s solutions (such as ICE-D) help:
Comparison: Nvidia Blackwell vs. Nvidia Rubin (with Nokia technology)
| Feature | Blackwell (2024–2025) | Rubin + Nokia Optical (2026–2027) |
|---|---|---|
| Connectivity Technology | Primarily copper (NVLink Switch) and traditional optics. | CPO (Co-Packaged Optics) and advanced ICE-D optics. |
| Bottleneck | Copper cable length limitations and power consumption. | Conversion of electrical signal to light (I/O energy). |
| Nokia’s Role | SR Linux software on the Spectrum-X platform. | ICE-D chips directly near the GPU packages. |
| Bandwidth | Approximately 800G – 1.6T per link. | 3.2T – 6.4T+ per link with Nokia technology. |
| Cooling | Liquid cooling is essential. | Optics generate less heat than copper at high speeds. |
Why is Nokia’s ICE-D the key to the “Rubin era”?
Nvidia’s Rubin architecture requires such massive amounts of data that traditional “pluggable” optical modules (inserted into the switch’s front panel) consume too much electricity and take up too much space.
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ICE-D (Intra-Datacenter): This technology allows optics to be brought directly next to the processor. This minimizes electrical loss and enables Nvidia’s GPU clusters to scale to tens of thousands of units without the network slowing down.
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PSE-6s Boost: While Blackwell still relies heavily on Ethernet-based Spectrum-X, in the Rubin era, Nokia’s PSE-6s and its successors will ensure that connections between data centers keep up with GPU speeds at 1.2 Terabit rates.
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Energy Efficiency: On the Rubin platform, the biggest challenge is power availability. Nokia’s technology promises to reduce the power consumption of optical transmission by up to 40–60%, which is a critical factor for Nvidia’s customers (such as Microsoft or Meta).
Summary: While Blackwell is still a “hybrid era” (copper and traditional optics), for Rubin, Nvidia needs a partner like Nokia to integrate light directly into the computing units. This is why Nvidia is investing in Nokia right now: to ensure that the optical network does not become a bottleneck for Rubin.
The Infinera acquisition was a strategic “home run” for Nokia, specifically regarding the Nvidia collaboration and the upcoming Rubin era. It gave Nokia two critical weapons it didn’t previously have to the same extent:
1. Access Inside the Data Center (Intra-Data Center)
Before Infinera, Nokia was strong in long-distance backbone networks. Infinera’s ICE-D technology is specifically designed for short distances (under 500m–2km), where Nvidia’s GPU clusters communicate with each other.
- ICE-D (Intra-Data Center): Uses advanced narrow-band laser signal technology, enabling massive data transfer with extremely low latency and power consumption.
- Significance for Nvidia: Nvidia needs this technology as it transitions from Blackwell to Rubin to ensure that the connection between GPU units doesn’t overheat or slow down.
2. Vertical Integration (In-house chip production)
Infinera brought with it its own Optical Integrated Circuit (PIC) manufacturing capacity in the United States.
- Self-sufficiency: Nokia is no longer dependent on external subcontractors for optical components. This is critical when Nvidia wants to ensure that its $1.1 billion (and future) orders are delivered on time.
- CPO (Co-Packaged Optics): Infinera’s expertise helps Nokia package optics directly in conjunction with Nvidia’s chips. This eliminates the need for separate, bulky fiber optic modules on switch front panels.
3. Strengthening Market Position (United States)
The deal gave Nokia a massive foothold among North American cloud giants (Hyperscalers, such as Meta, Google, and Microsoft).
- These companies are Nvidia’s largest customers. Since Nokia now controls both backbone optics and intra-datacenter optics, it can offer a complete “end-to-end” networking solution for Nvidia’s platforms.