SAI Is the Bottleneck
For many ASIC programs, silicon bring-up is only part of the journey. Real product readiness depends on stable SONiC integration –and that starts with SAI.
Complex Mapping
Feature mapping is complex. SDK behavior doesn’t always align with SAI expectations. Without the right strategy, delays and regressions become hard to avoid.
Predictable Engineering
We turn SAI development into a predictable engineering program – from SAI object semantics and SDK integration to SONiC platform bring-up and NOS enablement.
WHO THIS SERVICE IS FOR
Built for Teams That Need SAI for a Specific ASIC
ASIC Companies
We support ASIC start-ups and silicon vendors that need SAI for a new or uncovered ASIC model and want to accelerate SONiC enablement without overloading internal SDK or platform teams. Whether you are preparing for a PoC, an OEM evaluation, or full product launch, we help you reach each milestone with confidence.
OEMs and Solution Vendors
We help organizations building SONiC-based products that want to own the SAI layer for a selected ASIC in order to gain more control over roadmap, feature scope, integration timing, and product differentiation. For teams with ambitions beyond a single vendor’s timeline, owning the SAI layer is a strategic advantage.
WHAT A SUCCESSFUL ENGAGEMENT DELIVERS
A Clear, Usable Enablement Result
A successful SAI engagement is not just code delivery. It is a clear, usable enablement result. Typical outcomes include:
Delivery
- Working SAI adapter for your target ASIC, integrated and validated
- Successful SONiC bring-up on the target platform
- Prioritized baseline features implemented and stabilized
Quality & Visibility
- Feature support aligned with product and business goals
- Structured validation and regression visibility throughout the engagement
- Known gaps and limitations clearly identified and documented
Readiness & Handover
- Faster demo and PoC readiness for customer and investor milestones
- Improved OEM adoption potential for the target ASIC
- Handover material so your internal team can continue with confidence
Scope of the Service
Our SAI Development & Integration service can be scoped for PoC bring–up, baseline enablement, or broader product–readiness goals.
SAI Implementation
- SAI adapter architecture and design for the target ASIC
- Implementation of SAI objects and API behavior
- Mapping of SDK capabilities to SAI semantics
- Reusable common code to accelerate development and reduce risk
- Optional roadmap guidance for future features and maintainability
SONiC Integration
- SONiC integration and platform bring-up support
- Issue analysis across SDK, SAI, and SONiC layers
- Cross-layer debugging and root-cause resolution
- SONiC feature enablement aligned to product priorities
- Platform hardening and production-readiness support
Validation & Testing
- Validation using our own SAI test framework
- Regression analysis and stabilization support
- Systematic verification of implemented SAI behavior
- Demo and PoC readiness testing before milestone reviews
- Normalized SAI behavior across hardware platforms for consistent operation
Handover & Continuity
- Handover material and knowledge-transfer documentation
- Feature support matrix and known limitations report
- Implementation notes and architectural decision records
- Optional continued support for feature expansion
- Roadmap recommendations for next-stage development
Work with the SONiC Experts
Benefit from PLVision's deep experience delivering enterprise SONiC solutions across industries.
FEATURE SCOPE CLARITY
Aligned to Your Priorities, Not Open-Ended
Not every project needs full SAI coverage from day one. We work with customers to define a realistic and commercially useful feature scope for the target ASIC and product stage. Depending on your needs, the engagement can focus on areas such as:
- Port and interface management
- VLAN and L2 switching
- LAG and hashing behavior
- Router interfaces, neighbors, next hops, and routes
- ACL and policy-related features
- QoS-related integration points
- Telemetry, counters, and operational visibility
- Other ASIC-specific or product-specific requirements
This allows the implementation to match business priorities instead of becoming an open-ended engineering effort.
Why Customers Choose PLVision
Deep SAI Development Expertise
We understand the details, tradeoffs, and failure modes involved in mapping real SDK behavior to SAI expectations. It is built from shipping SAI adapters across multiple ASIC families and SONiC versions.
Real SONiC Integration Experience
We do not stop at the API layer. PLVision’s SONiC and NOS expertise means we work across the full interaction between ASIC SDK, SAI adapter, and SONiC platform behavior, where integration issues appear.
Reusable Common Code Baseline
We bring implementation assets that help accelerate development, reduce fresh-start work, and lower risk. Customers benefit from prior work without carrying the cost of building everything from scratch.
Independent Validation with Our Own Test Framework
Testing is not an afterthought. Our SAI test framework helps verify behavior systematically, detect regressions early, and improve confidence before customer-facing milestones, building quality into the delivery.
SAI Challenger: The SONiC-Based Framework for SAI Testing and Integration
VALIDATION & QUALITY
Validation Built In, Not Added Later
SAI quality is not about compiling code or passing a few manual checks. It is about consistent behavior, stable integration, and confidence that changes do not break existing functionality. Our validation approach helps customers:
- Verify implemented SAI behavior systematically across feature areas
- Detect regressions earlier – before they reach demos or customer reviews
- Improve readiness for PoCs, demos, and release milestones
- Normalize SAI behavior across hardware platforms for consistent SONiC operation
- Build a stronger quality foundation for future feature growth
For customers building long-term SONiC products, validation also helps transform SAI from a one-time integration effort into a maintainable engineering asset.
ENGAGEMENT MODELS
Models That Match Your Program Stage
Choose a starting point that fits your current maturity and goals. Each model can expand as your program grows:
STARTING POINT
Assessment & Feasibility
Evaluate SDK readiness, identify likely feature gaps, and define a practical implementation scope. The lowest-risk starting point for early-stage programs or teams assessing viability before committing resources.
QUICK WINS
PoC & Bring-Up
Reach early SONiC integration and demo readiness quickly. Focused on getting a working, demonstrable result fast – for customer evaluations, investor milestones, or internal proof-of-concept reviews.
FOUNDATION
Baseline SAI Enablement
Structured implementation of core SAI functionality for the target ASIC. Covers priority feature areas with a repeatable implementation and validation approach for a solid product foundation.
RESCUE
Stabilization & Hardening
For teams with a partial implementation that need stronger validation, regression control, and production readiness. We review, stabilize, and improve what exists rather than starting from scratch.
LONG-TERM
Ongoing Extension & Support
Expanding feature scope, maintaining the adapter, or integrating SAI into a broader SONiC product lifecycle. Structured for teams that need a reliable partner on the software layer.
COMPLETE
Full SONiC Product Bundle
SAI Launchpad combined with SONiC platform integration, feature enablement, system hardening, and ongoing support – the complete path from silicon to a market-ready SONiC product.
DELIVERY PROCESS
How We Work With You
01. Discovery & Scope Alignment – Review your ASIC, SDK maturity, hardware access, SONiC version, feature priorities, and milestones.
02. Architecture & Implementation Planning – Define the adapter structure, feature-mapping approach, dependencies, and validation strategy.
03. Implementation & Bring-Up – Implement the SAI layer, integrate with the SDK, and support early SONiC bring-up on the target platform.
04. Validation & Stabilization – Verify behavior through structured testing, analyze failures, fix regressions, and improve delivery confidence.
05. Handover & Next-Stage Support – Provide handover material, knowledge transfer, and optional continued support for feature expansion.
What We Need From the Customer
A successful SAI engagement usually depends on clear access to the right technical inputs. We scope based on what is available and advise on how to fill gaps. These often include:
- Target ASIC and hardware details
- SDK access and documentation
- Lab access or hardware availability
- Target SONiC version or integration environment
- Prioritized feature list
- Expected milestones and business goals
By aligning early on inputs and scope, we make delivery more predictable and reduce wasted cycles on both sides.
Typical Deliverables
Depending on the engagement scope, deliverables may include:
SAI adapter source code and integration components
Feature support matrix
Implementation notes and known limitations
Validation and regression test reports
Issue analysis and stabilization recommendations
Handover and knowledge-transfer materials
Optional roadmap suggestions for next-stage development
Standalone Service or Part of a Broader Bundle
Standalone
A targeted service for customers who primarily need SAI adapter implementation, integration, and validation for a specific ASIC – without committing to a broader SONiC program.
As Part of a Broader Bundle
For customers building a full SONiC-based product, SAI Launchpad can be combined with:
- SONiC platform integration and customization
- NOS feature enablement
- System-level hardening
- Maintenance and support
- Troubleshooting and knowledge transfer
This makes SAI the enabling foundation within a broader product-development path.
When This Service Is the Right Fit
This service is especially relevant when:
- You have a new ASIC and need SAI to enable SONiC
- A specific ASIC model still has no SAI support
- Internal teams are overloaded with SDK, platform, or customer work
- You need faster demo or PoC readiness
- You want stronger regression coverage and validation
- You want more control over the software layer for a chosen ASIC
- You are building a broader SONiC-based product and need the hardware-enablement layer in place
- You face OEM or customer demand for SONiC support and do not have bandwidth to execute internally
- You need a measurable validation story for customer or investor confidence
Ready to Accelerate SAI Enablement for Your ASIC?
Let’s discuss your target ASIC, SDK maturity, feature priorities, and SONiC integration goals.
Common Questions, Straight Answers
Can you work with an immature SDK?
Yes – though scope and pace depend on SDK maturity. An assessment phase is often the best starting point.
Can you start from a partial SAI implementation?
Yes. We review existing code, identify gaps, improve architecture, continue implementation, and strengthen validation.
Is this only for full production programs?
No. The service can start with assessment or PoC bring-up and later expand into broader product-readiness work.
We already have an internal SAI team – why do we need this?
Internal teams build components. We ensure the full chain works in SONiC. Integration issues appear at the intersection of SDK, SAI, and SONiC – not within a single layer.
Can this be part of a larger SONiC project?
Yes. SAI Development & Integration fits naturally into a broader SONiC product-development or platform-enablement program.
Do you also help with validation?
Yes. Validation is one of the core parts of the service and a major differentiator in our offering.
We are still early-stage – is now the right time?
Early validation reduces later cost. Fixing SAI architecture after OEM engagement begins is expensive. An assessment or PoC scope is a low-risk way to get the foundation right.
What if we focus on silicon performance, not SONiC integration?
Performance without stable software cannot be deployed at scale. SAI is what makes your silicon usable in real customer environments.