Tech & Innovation

Developments in the IT Infrastructure That Will Be with Us in 2025

24. Apr 2025 | 3 min.

The year 2024 has shown that artificial intelligence (AI) is not just a buzzword, but a driving force for innovation in IT infrastructure. From the automation of routine tasks to proactive fault detection, AI-based technologies are changing the way networks are managed and secured. In this article, we take a look at the key developments that will shape IT infrastructure in 2025.

Technological Milestones on the Path to Generative AI

What steps were necessary for us to be able to work with generative AI today? Around 80 years of technological development were required to reach the current status.

1940s

Electronic Computers

1950s - 1960s

Transistors and Integrated Circuits

1990s

World Wide Web

2000s

Smartphones

2000s - 2010s

Cloud Computing and Big Data

2010s

Machine Learning and Deep Learning

2020s

Generative AI

Technical development began in the 1940s with the first electronic computers. In the 1950s, the invention of the transistor revolutionised digital technology. The 1990s brought the World Wide Web, which drove global networking. This was followed in the 2000s by smartphones and cloud computing, which changed the way we work and communicate. In the 2010s, machine learning and deep learning paved the way for modern artificial intelligence (AI). How can AI support the daily work of a network administrator? With the help of generative AI, routine tasks can be automated. By automating routine tasks, for example, Chat GPT can create a Python script within seconds to create VLANs on a Cisco Catalyst switch.

Access Point Generation 7

With the introduction of Wi-Fi 7, Cisco is setting new standards for wireless networks. The new access points offer up to 4.8 times higher data rates than Wi-Fi 6. The multi-link function, which allows end devices to use several frequency bands simultaneously, is especially interesting. This not only improves performance, but also increases reliability. Wi-Fi 7 also supports AI Enhanced Radio Resource Management, which optimises the Wi-Fi experience through AI-supported analyses. This technology extends the classic radio resource management agent, analysing historical data and making recommendations to continuously improve network performance.

The new licensing model (Cisco Networking Subscriptions) gives customers the flexibility to decide whether the product – in this case the Wi-Fi Access Points 7 – should be operated on-premises with a classic WLAN controller, preferably also in combination with Catalyst Center, or whether the access points should be integrated into the Meraki Cloud world.

Cyber Threats and Micro-Segmentation

Between January 2023 and December 2024, almost 400 cyberattacks were publicly reported in Germany - a clear sign of a growing threat level. Today, attacks are much more advanced and professionally organised than ever before. As soon as an attacker gains access to the network, they usually try to expand their radius of action. This is precisely where microsegmentation comes in: It helps to minimise potential attack surfaces.

While such concepts were previously implemented primarily with Cisco SDA and the Catalyst Center, Meraki Adaptive Policy now also provides corresponding functionality in the Meraki Cloud environment. Based on Cisco TrustSec and Scalable Group Tags (SGTs), data traffic between end devices can be granularly controlled and secured.
For example, departments such as HR, Finance and IT can be organised in separate segments. Micro-segmentation ensures that only authorised communication is possible - a crucial step in preventing so-called ‘lateral movement’ strategies by attackers.

Optimisations and AI Features in the Catalyst Center

The Cisco Catalyst Centre has received a number of important updates in version 2.3.7.x, making it an even more powerful tool for network management. It also offers extensive AI analyses to detect problems at an early stage and improve network performance. Here is an overview of some of the new features and interesting AI functionalities:

Multi-vendor Support – Devices from other manufacturers can be integrated into the management system.
LAN Automation – Some changes and new features have been incorporated here to improve the user experience. Among other things, up to five automations can now be carried out simultaneously. A significant increase in efficiency.
Software Image Management – The process for updating network devices has been optimised so that updates can now be carried out more quickly and without errors.
Network Heatmap – Visualisation of network data over a certain time period.
Event Analytics – Analysing syslog information to detect anomalies.
Trend Deviation – Detection of deviations in user behaviour, e.g. at access points.

These analyses help to identify problems at an early stage and continuously improve network performance. One example: If an access point suddenly serves significantly more users than usual, this may indicate the failure of a neighbouring access point. With the help of AI-supported analyses, such problems can be quickly identified and resolved.

Outlook

The IT infrastructure is facing major challenges, from a shortage of skilled labour to growing cyber threats. But with AI-powered innovations such as the Catalyst Centre, Wi-Fi 7 and micro-segmentation, companies are well-positioned to overcome these challenges. AI will play a key role in making networks more efficient, secure and powerful. It remains exciting to see how these technologies will develop and what new opportunities they will offer in the future.

Webinar AI Innovations (Only available in German)

Learn more about how AI is significantly advancing the automation, optimisation and protection of networks in the recording of our live webinar - towards a network environment that responds proactively and flexibly to requirements while meeting the highest security standards.

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