The Reasons People Are So Excited About SONiC NOS 

Diverse market segments have shown much interest in Software for Open Networking in the Cloud (SONiC), continue reading to learn why.  

What is SONiC? 

SONiC (Software for Open Networking in the Cloud) is a Linux-based free and open-source network operating system. It was created by Microsoft and the Open Compute Project and then transferred to The Linux Foundation for continued ecosystem and developer growth. This operating system can potentially become “the Linux of networking.” 

SONiC Microsoft 

Microsoft originally developed SONiC in 2016 to power the connectivity of its Azure cloud infrastructure, and it is now a well-known open-source project. Afterward, in 2017, SONiC became the foundation of the Open Compute Project (OCP). When SONiC Microsoft was first released, it became a scalable answer for its Azure cloud computing services.  

It evolved on the Linux Kernel as a body of utilities, tools, device drives, and kernel patches. Today, though, multi-service providers and data center operators use it. 

The “white-box switch” or network disaggregation concept was the main inspiration behind the development of SONiC. This concept allows customers to select their networking operating system and application software without regard to the networking hardware. Enterprises and service providers are now more widely considering SONiC (Software for Open Networking in the Cloud) for their networks, even though it initially focused primarily on hyperscalers. 

Why SONiC? 

For a long time, the global Azure cloud infrastructure has been managed over a substantial global footprint using the ideas of Software Defined Networking (SDN). Intending to improve scalability, stability, and speed, Azure has been gradually substituting legacy architectures at every level of the stack, from servers and NICs to the network’s edge and WAN. These fundamental concepts inspired the development of software that enables open networking in the cloud. 

Since all cloud service providers rely on fast, reliable networks to power their solutions, software-defined networking (SDN) is essential. Network operators must be able to quickly add the networking capabilities they require while simultaneously managing any feature modifications that elevate risk and complication. 

In conjunction with SAI, a normalized C API for programming switching ASICs, SONiC enables us to use the same software stack over hardware from several switch manufacturers. 

Benefits Making Users Excited About Microsoft SONiC 

The containerized nature of SONiC is its distinguishing feature. Each component of SONiC belongs to a distinct container. To bring in the necessary software and upgrade the systems running on the switch, each can be updated, customized, loaded with more features, etc. 

Innovation And Flexibility  

SONiC enables Microsoft to innovate more quickly to advance the Azure cloud networking infrastructure by separating network software from the underlying hardware platform. Also, it gives Microsoft the freedom to develop cutting-edge network solutions and innovate alongside hardware suppliers while utilizing the power of a sizable ecosystem and open community. 

It allows groups to design the network solutions they require while utilizing the power of a sizable ecosystem and community. 

Ensures Smooth Collaboration Between Vendors And Operators 

Since SONiC is fundamentally open, a collaboration between vendors and operators, which is essential for innovation, can flourish there. The robust community support for SONiC is among the most appealing value propositions. An open-source community provides the kind of culture of cross-boundary collaboration needed to create architectures today that solve problems for tomorrow. 

Organizations can mix and match hardware with SONiC while maintaining a consistent software experience. 

Robust Ecosystem  

With notable members like Alibaba, Broadcom, Dell, Google, Intel, Microsoft, NVIDIA, and more than 50 international partners, SONiC brings a robust existing ecosystem. In recent years, cloud users of SONiC have benefited from unified automation, software portability across switch platforms, and a consistent user experience. 

Simplicity 

Microsoft created a diversified network using hardware and software from various vendors, which is great because it allows access to the newest, fastest technologies, which helps create a trustworthy network. 

Principles Governing Microsoft SONiC 

What makes SONiC Microsoft loved by everyone is its core principles. The operating system revolves around four fundamental principles: agility, control, extension, and cooperation.  

  • Agility – One unique quality of SONiC is its rapid response capacity and new functionality deployment onto an operational production data center. 
  • Control – Since SONiC is open-source software, anyone can examine its contents, decide what to deploy, and exclude features from switches. 
  • Extension – It makes adding features and functionalities simple for new developers. 
  • Cooperation – The open-source nature accelerates the rollout of new features and the capacity for innovation. There is now a better solution that adapts to the users’ needs as more networks, scenarios, and experts are added. 

The Significance of SONiC For The OCP Community 

The OCP is the ideal place to start when building an open-source infrastructure. Therefore, putting SONiC under the OCP community and making it open source is the next natural step in expanding the stack. SONiC combines the necessary components to create an open-source, fully-functional, safe, and dependable cloud switch. It lets you pick the hardware and software that will perform best for your networking requirements. 

Today, SONIC connects with the standardized SAI interface, allowing us to leverage new hardware more quickly and to function on numerous platforms while riding the wave of ASIC evolution. Initial SONIC achievements include supporting open-source platform drivers for particular switches, allowing SONIC to operate as a completely operational Layer2/Layer3 switch. 

Conclusion 

In the future, SONiC might spread into a new setting in which Linux distributions include SONIC and SAI support via kernel modules. 

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