In a significant advancement for the networking industry, Keysight Technologies, Inc. (NYSE: KEYS) unveiled the first public interoperability demonstration of Ultra Ethernet Consortium (UEC) specifications, showcasing Link Layer Retry (LLR) and Credit-Based Flow Control (CBFC) at an impressive 800GE line rate. This milestone was achieved in collaboration with Broadcom at the Optical Fiber Communication Conference (OFC) 2026, underscoring the crucial role of next-generation Ethernet technologies in supporting large-scale artificial intelligence (AI) infrastructures.

2. The Need for Next-Generation Ethernet

As organizations increasingly adopt AI technologies, traditional Ethernet architectures are facing challenges related to massive east-west traffic, congestion sensitivity, and tail latency requirements. These challenges are particularly pronounced in large AI clusters where network efficiency, resiliency, and predictable performance are paramount. The demonstration highlights how LLR and CBFC are essential in addressing these issues, enabling hyperscalers and enterprises to scale their AI infrastructure effectively.

3. Key Features of the Demonstration

The live demonstration featured seamless interoperability between Keysight’s Interconnect and Network Performance Tester and Broadcom’s Tomahawk Ultra Ethernet switch, both operating at the full 800GE line rate. The capabilities showcased included:

Link Layer Retry (LLR): This technology facilitates local error recovery, significantly reducing tail latency and improving overall network performance.

Credit-Based Flow Control (CBFC): CBFC offers link layer flow control mechanisms, which are critical for managing data traffic efficiently and ensuring smooth operations across large-scale AI workloads.

These advancements are becoming increasingly necessary as organizations deploy AI-driven applications that demand high throughput and low latency.

4. Keysight’s Role in the UEC and ESUN Ecosystem

Keysight has established itself as a key player in the Ultra Ethernet Consortium, actively contributing to the emerging Ethernet for Scale-Up Networking (ESUN) ecosystem. The company is instrumental in defining validation methodologies for advanced link layer capabilities that support the newly released 1.0 specification. This early interoperability effort not only accelerates ecosystem readiness but also fosters the widespread adoption of Ultra Ethernet standards.

5. Industry Perspectives

Leaders from both Keysight and Broadcom shared their insights on the significance of this achievement:

Asad Khamisy, Vice President and GM of the Core Switch Group at Broadcom, commented: “High-performance Ethernet is the technology of choice for AI Networking, and Broadcom was a founding member of the Ultra Ethernet Consortium. Verifying compliance and interoperability is key to creating an open ecosystem, and with Keysight, Broadcom has found a partner who is able to keep up with our industry-leading pace.”

Ram Periakaruppan, Vice President and GM of Network Applications & Security at Keysight, added: “As AI clusters push network performance to new extremes, technologies like Ultra Ethernet are becoming essential to next-generation fabrics. Keysight is focused on ensuring these innovations can be validated, interoperable, and ready for real-world deployment.”

6. Conclusion

The successful interoperability demonstration at OFC 2026 represents a crucial step toward establishing a production-ready Ultra Ethernet infrastructure tailored for AI-optimized networks. As the demand for robust networking solutions continues to grow alongside AI advancements, Keysight Technologies is poised to lead the way in delivering the necessary tools and standards that will support the future of AI networking.

For further information on Keysight's Interconnect and Network Performance Tester and their innovative solutions, visit Keysight's official website.

Original press release