The white box switch is commodity-based bare-metal switches loaded a third party ‘s network operating system or just a pure bare metal switch but without a well-known brand name . Brite box switch is a kind of whitebox switch but own its brand name. Bare metal switches are come from original design manufacturers (ODMs) which do not have a NOS pre-loaded.

An open network means that the network switch hardware and software are separated and disaggregated from each other. With the development of open networks, many enterprise users have realized its benefits of flexibility and cost-effectiveness. However, when engineers decide to build their own open network, they may be faced with the choice of white box switch, britebox switch, bare metal switch. Both types of open-source switches can be used in the software-defined network environment of data center scenarios.

Here we will present the difference between them , so that you can make good choice .

What is White box switch

The white box switch ( also named white label switch )is commodity-based bare-metal switches loaded a third party ‘s network operating system but without a well-known brand name .It allows users to purchase hardware from hardware vendors, and then select their preferred network operating system (NOS) from open source software vendors or maybe a traditional vendor,like Culmulus or PicOS, SONiC, Juniper,etc. In all ,white box switches are much cheaper than traditional switch which makes them an attractive alternative to brand switches.

What is Brite box switch

Brite box switch( also named branded whitebox switch) is a kind of whitebox switch but own its brand name.(For example,DEll and HP) In fact, we can take brite box switch as the middle ground between a traditional switch and white box switch. Usually, brite box switches are pre-loaded with a operating system which means brite box switch enabling simple, plug-and-play deployments ,can directly use. At the meantime, professional technical service from the suppliers is more convenient since it’s a one-stop solution. As for the costs, it’s more expensive than white box switch but much cheaper than the traditional switch.

What is bare metal switch?

Bare metal switches are come from original design manufacturers (ODMs) which do not have a NOS pre-loaded. usually. ODMs’ hardware warranty is basic 2-3 years because their customers have to purchase separately a third-party network operating system (NOS) — like Pica8, Cumulus Linux OS,IP infusion ,etc. But nowadays, some manufacturers are self- developing their own NOS, for example, Asterfusion provides a one -stop open networking solution that self-produces whitebox hardware and open source SONiC NOS.

Who is Asterfusion and What we can do?

Asterfusion data technologies is the leading provider of open networking infrastructure solutions. We provide a disaggregated and highly programmable open network fabric for next generation data centers, enterprise and service providers with full stack open architecture hardware and open-source software.

Asterfusion delivers one-stop open networking solution for 10G/25G/100G/400G whitebox switches based on Innovium Teralynx, Intel tofino and Marvel with SONIC based operating system for next generation data centers, campus and service providers. 

Offering SONiC based enterprise NOS distribution –AsterNOS with feature rich enhancement.

Of course, the Software Defined Network (SDN) market nowadays is a fast growing, there are increasingly distributors,and systems integrator are seizing this opportunity to join in our open networking family,thus,we also provide OEM white box switches for our partners.

Conclusion

Choosing which type switch, enterprise users should according to their own conditions to make the right decision. But remember Asterfusion can satisfied your needs both for britebox switch and white box switch.

For more white box switch information contact: [email protected]