SONiC( Software for Open Networking in the Cloud) is an open-source network operating system based on Linux that runs on switches from multiple vendors and ASICs.

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SONiC has gone through several years of development, becoming one of the most vibrant and promising open-source communities in the field of cloud computing. Open-source networks are capable of attracting a large number of industrial chain partners, forming a comprehensive ecosystem including hardware products and large-scale applications, as well as system architecture and integration services.

What is SONiC?

SONiC( Software for Open Networking in the Cloud) is an open-source network operating system based on Linux that runs on switches from multiple vendors and ASICs. SONiC offers a full-suite of network functionality, like BGP and RDMA, that has been production-hardened in the data centers of some of the largest cloud-service providers. It offers teams the flexibility to create the network solutions they need while leveraging the collective strength of a large ecosystem and community.

Asterfusion’s Experience with SONiC

As a new generation cloud network provider, Asterfusion officially joined the SONiC community from its establishment, thereby becoming one of the earliest cloud network companiesto be part of the SONiC community. Asterfusion adhering to the precepts of cooperation and mutual development,actively contributes to this community.

Asterfusion Offers a Feature Rich Enterprise SONiC Distribution

As you can see from the above figure, Asterfusion being the only vendor that providing a feature -rich and a production ready enterprise SONiC with full series SONiC based switches. The commits were fixes bugs, optimizes network protocol functions. Apart from that, we make contributions in open-source ecosystems such as LFN/FRR. 

Until April 2020, we have contributed a number of bug fixes to the community, of which 21 have been merged into the mainline version.

► 20 of which are about SONiC，

FRR，docker-fpm-frr，vrfmgrd，dhcp-relay，libteam，lldp，vxlanorch，portsorch，copporch，ebtable，qosorc，sonic-sfp，config，hostcfgd，vstests

Details: https://github.com/search?p=1&q=org%3AAzure+asterfusion&type=Commits

► 1 for saithrift of SAI

Details: https://github.com/opencomputeproject/SAI/search?q=asterfusion&type=Commits

The Exploration Road of SONiC Networking Operating System

From its first iteration as the open-source network operating system (NOS) Openswitch (OPS), to now,  SONiC has gone through several years of development.

The current version of AsterNOS (3.0) is built upon the Linux kernel & SONiC/SAI, based on the standard functions provided by SONiC. It is this foundation from which it provides feature-rich functions within a series of SONiC based hardware switches , buildinng a fully open cloud network architecture for our customers.

In general, Enterprise SONiC Distribution differs from other cloud vendors in its customer-demand orientation, with the company always looking to address the needs of customers and respond quickly to any issues.

• we provide a quality product with a user-friendly experience, a complete quality assurance mechanism
• ensuring consistency of quality throughout the life cycle of the product; ensure forward compatibility of features and synchronized development with the community
• allowing chip differentiation and feature compatibility to be taken into account, when meeting with different chips vendors
• provide continuous delivery of services

Asterfusion SONiC NOS Supports VXLAN & VXLAN-EVPN

Despite the difficulties in creating and commercializing such an open-source network product , which meets the different needs of multiple enterprise customers, a process which requires high technical capabilities, intelligent system selection, and continuous iteration.

But we did it successfully in this area, and we will ensure it continues to improve going forward.

One of the first problems encountered was the need for network virtualization (Overlay Network), such as VXLAN & VXLAN-EVPN functions. There was increasing attention needed in developing the overlay network, but open-source solutions had been delayed, with the development of virtualization in the SONiC community being very slow despite the increasingly strong demand. 

As a result, despite the large investment and the risk of comparability with the community, Asterfusion chose to overcome this challenge internally, leading to our SONiC software AsterNOS fully supporting VXLAN -EVPN functions, while the development of features such as L2VXLAN, tunnel management, and EVPN within the SONiC community remains incomplete.

To Build Enterprise SONiC, Asterfusion has Aspiration of Serving the Entire Ecosystem.

The emergence of open network operating systems provides a technical foundation for innovation, helps cloud vendors to build open cloud network architectures to satisfy their business needs.

In addition, it has shifted the delivery method of network products and solutions. This new model requires a new type of technology supplier which can serve the new mode. At Asterfusion we have a team of over 150 engineers from companies such as Huawei, Cisco to develop and optimize the SONiC NOS foundation . We have a thorough understanding of the needs of the industry, the capability to develop and design hardware , and the ability to make continuous contributions in major open source communities and ecosystems.

Asterfusion Full series SONiC based white box Switches

Currently, Asterfusion is the only vendor use SONiC NOS support Innovium Treralynx , Intel tofino, Marvel ,Mellanox, etc. and we also combine SONiC with P4 and DPU together to provide full series SONiC switches .

To build SONiC network , Asterfusion stands at forefront of, and serves, the entire community.

Based on SONiC software architecture,a provision of multiple choices of whitebox hardware, and complete IT solutions, we created a product which can help enterprises make the best use of SONiC software and SONiC switches in building an open cloud network architecture. 

Let’s explore the predetermined binding of Asterfusion and SONiC.

Q&A on Asterfusion Enterprise SONiC Distribution-AsterNOS

Q1: How AsterNOS is differ from SONiC Community ?

A: AsterNOS provides businesses with enhanced features compared to the community version of SONiC, including improved network virtualization capabilities such as VXLAN and BGP-EVPN. These advanced technologies allow organizations to create more efficient networks while reducing complexity in their IT infrastructure. overall,AsterNOS is a commercial SONiC NOS compare to native SONiC community, which means for enterprises, AsterNOS it’s ready to use version.

Q2: How AsterNOS is differ from other SONiC Software?

A:AsterNOS have been hard at work making sure that SONiC can run smoothly on Marvell Falcon, Teralynx and Intel Tofino switch chips – providing an alternative to Broadcom-based switches for those who want access to cutting-edge features.

Q3:Does Asterfusion SONiC NOS support VXLAN-EVPN , Vxlan and MC LAG ?

A: yes,Our AsterNOS fully support VXLAN-EVPN, Vxlan and MC LAG

Reference:

1. https://azure.github.io/SONiC/

2. Azure SONiC @ GitHub：https://github.com/Azure/SONiC

3. SONiC Achitecture：https://github.com/Azure/SONiC/wiki/Architecture

4. OCP Official Website ：https://www.opencompute.org/

5. SONiC @ OCP：https://www.opencompute.org/projects/sonic-sub-project

6. ONF Official Website：https://opennetworking.org/