SONiC Capabilities: Empowering Networks with Open-Source Solutions

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An Alternative to ONL Networking: SONiC or DentOS?

ONL (Open Network Linux), the major baseline open NOS for bare-metal switches, has been leveraged as a foundational platform software layer across the entire ecosystem.  The combination of ONIE, ONL and ONLP has allowed white-box vendors to empower their users with open networking. Product vendors developed control plane software such as load balancers or packet brokers on top of the ONL networking baseline while network operators placed their software stacks on it, integrating white-box hardware with SDN controllers (ONOS, VOLTHA) to obtain required functionality. 

However, with no further maintenance from the community expected, ONL’s future is unclear. Its latest version is based on the outdated Debian 9. The need to update to a new Linux is driven by security considerations (SVE updates), software requirements (SDK, drivers, etc.) and the demand for new kernel and drivers.  

Replacing ONL networking software with SONiC or DentOS

Without ONL, the issue of enablement and qualification for your product or solution remains unsolved. You are faced with maintaining ONL on your own or making the effort to create a new NOS distribution. Why not switch to a pre-existing option that fits your needs? 

Option 1: SONiC

SONiC is a popular, rapidly evolving open NOS which covers platform development requirements and framework through its available functionality. Trimming SONiC down to a pmon (Platform Monitor) service provides an ONL-like foundation for a networking product.

 

Option 2: DentOS

DentOS, a promising, high-potential open network operating system, can be used as a drop-in replacement for ONL networking software.

 

Using SONiC without control plane

Pros:

  • SONiC is a mature NOS with huge community support 
  • Well-established build infrastructure 
  • Flexible Docker-based environment 
  • Well-defined platform interface, PDE and S3IP
  • Already supports a lot of platforms 
  • Rich set of available NOS components 

Cons: 

  • Platform abstraction via Python plugins 
  • Redis is a must-have component 
  • Larger footprint compared to ONL 
  • Slower image build process 
Using DentOS

Pros:

  • DentOS is an ONL fork 
  • Mature NOS with community support 
  • Based on Debian 10, plan to upgrade to 11/12 

Cons: 

  • Limited range of devices supported 
  • Small community of contributors 

PLVision as your trusted enabler of SONiC or DentOS

As an active player in both SONiC and DentOS communities with strong experience in open software development and customization, PLVision is ready to help you select and provide the best-fitting solution for your needs. 

Contact us to explore how you can replace the outdated ONL

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