** Shares of Cisco CSCO.O rise 2.3% to $64.70 before the bell

** Co announced plans for an expanded partnership with AI-heavyweight Nvidia NVDA.O to provide AI-linked technology to businesses

** Says co and NVDA intend to build powerful computer networks needed to run AI by making a simple, ready-to-use architecture that combines its products

** Says NVDA will let CSCO's Silicone One chips be the only chips that will work directly with its Spectrum X system, along with NVDA's special network cards called SuperNICs

** Says CSCO will now create complete systems that combine NVDA's Spectrum chips with CSCO's own network software

** Up to Monday's close, Cisco shares were up 6.8% YTD after gaining ~17.2% in 2024

(Reporting by Rishi Kant in Bengaluru)

((Rishi.Kant@thomsonreuters.com))