The Linux Foundation OpenSwitch project has released the latest version of its open source network Operating System, OPX 2.3. The release brings important iterative updates that supplement networking, instrumentation and management features with enhanced automation capabilities, and extends OPX compatibility to two new families of hardware platforms.

Backed by Dell EMC and Metaswitch, OPX 2.3 supports L2/L3 networking features that are compatible with a variety of 10G, 25G, 40G and 100G hardware platforms from multiple vendors.

Specific feature enhancements include SNMP support, upgradability via standard Linux apt tools, and persistent configuration. OPX 2.3 brings support for remote authentication and remote access control by adding Remote Authentication Dial-In User Service (RADIUS) and Terminal Access Controller Access-Control System Plus (TACACS+) features.

Support for these features will allow network operators to maintain user profiles and access logs in a central database that all remote equipment can share, and providing better security and control from a single administered network point. OPX 2.3 also adds support for two new platforms from Dell EMC – S5148F-ON, based on Cavium XPliant programmable ASIC and S4200-ON, based on Broadcom Qumran ASIC – extending OPX’s hardware compatibility list to include more than a dozen 10G, 25G, 40G and 100G switches from multiple vendors.

“The ability to install and operationalize individual protocol stacks as applications or micro-features facilitates the design of cost-conscious, composable networks (based on a mixture of best-of-breed hardware and software) that reduce failure domains and improve performance” said Alley Hasan, OpenSwitch Project Governing Board chair. “The OpenSwitch community is committed to continue developing viable, turn-key solutions for data center operators, as well as for service provider edge and core architectures.”

OpenSwitch recently welcomed Inocybe Technologies, Metaswitch and Verizon Connect as new project members.

“We welcome the growth and increased community in OpenSwitch and are excited about this new release, which helps move the disaggregation forward,” said Arpit Joshipura, general manager, Networking, The Linux Foundation. “OpenSwitch is one of the key network operating systems that forms the basis of broader harmonization across the white box NOS stack.”

OPX is currently deployed in production networks, including those of Tier 1 Service Provider infrastructures, providing reliable and scalable solutions for greater agility that can reduce both CapEx and OpEx expenses.