ETRI Develops Optical Disaggregation Technology for AI Datacenters

Korean researchers at ETRI have created the first optical switch-based technology for connecting computing resources in AI datacenters. This Optical Disaggregation (OD) technology addresses resource shortages and enhances efficiency by allowing dynamic allocation of memory and accelerators. The system demonstrated real-time resource allocation using an optical switch, marking a significant advancement in optical network technology. ETRI has secured patents for this innovation and plans to apply it to various fields, including national AI infrastructure and eco-friendly datacenters.

Published Mar 21, 2026

The Electronics and Telecommunications Research Institute (ETRI) has developed Optical Disaggregation (OD) technology, enabling dynamic connection and disconnection of computing resources in AI datacenters using optical switches. This innovation addresses inefficiencies in traditional server-centric architectures and overcomes delays from electrical packet-based switches.

AI-curated by Theia

ETRI's system allows for real-time allocation of memory and accelerators through an optical path, marking the first integration of Compute Express Link (CXL) with optical switching. The technology has been validated in experiments and has resulted in 47 patents filed globally. ETRI aims to utilize OD technology for enhancing AI infrastructure, cloud integration, and sustainable datacenter development.