OpenSwitch Community to Build Open Source Network Operating System

HP is launching an open source network operating system called OpenSwitch. The new Linux-based nos is also inspired by HP’s proprietary Comware and ProVision switch stacks. OpenSwitch should become a whole community of developers in addition to a nos.

By building a community-based network operating system, HP and the other founders of the platform want to build an open nos similar to what the server ecosystem looks like around Linux, HP said in a press release. The other five companies on the founding list are: Accton Technology, Arista Networks, Broadcom, Intel and VMware.

With this, OpenSwitch is breaking away from a traditional nos. The idea is that the old, closed loops, which often consist of a combination of Linux with proprietary software on top, will disappear. The open source NOS should be based on open standards, in which developers can design and develop their network in such a way that it fits their goals and functionality.

Decoupling the hardware and network operating systems should make it easier for companies across industries to innovate faster. Developers can get started right away with the now released OpenSwitch nos, which is based on the raw Linux kernel. It has a mix of C++, Go and Java software running on top of that. It is not yet clear which kernel has been chosen.

OpenSwitch’s binaries have already been released and HP will soon release the source code as well. HP expects to have a business-ready version of the nos by mid-2016.