Introduction

This is the 5th article on Open Networking, which has been posted regularly.
This article introduces a commercial SONiC called Edgecore SONiC (ecSONiC) provided by Edgecore.

* 2022/03/17: Added information about the latest version "ecSONiC 202012".

There are other articles related to Open Networking, so please see the articles that interest you from the "List of articles" below.

About ecSONiC

First, I will explain the difference between the Open Source Software (OSS) versions of SONiC and ecSONiC. ecSONiC is a commercial version of SONiC that Edgecore develops new functions and improves quality based on the OSS version of SONiC.

As with the OSS version of SONiC, the main target is the network for data centers, and Edgecore provides enhanced development of functions that are lacking in response to market demands, backporting, and verification and bug fixes assuming actual operation. to ensure high product quality. In addition, Edgecore has a wealth of manuals and knowledge bases created independently to improve usability.

Figure 1: OSS version SONiC x ecSONiC comparison table

* "Quality" is our opinion.

Since ecSONiC is ONIE compliant, it can be installed on a white Box switch using the same procedure as the OSS version of SONiC.

ecSONiC compatible device

ecSONiC supports Edgecore white Box switches and supports a wide range of devices from 1G to 400G as shown in the figure below.

Figure 2: ecSONiC compatible device

Currently, the majority of compatible devices are Broadcom ASIC-based white-Box switch products, but starting with the version released at the end of 2020, we also started supporting the Intel® Tofino™-based Wedge100BF-32. Compatible devices tend to expand, especially the latest devices, each time a new version is released.

ecSONiC support function

ecSONiC supports the following functions in addition to the existing functions of OSS version SONiC.

Table 1: ecSONiC support functions (1/2)

Table 2: ecSONiC support functions (2/2)

The basic functions required for data center operation are also installed in the OSS version of SONiC, but Edgecore develops and provides the above functions on demand. Each version is linked to the OSS version of SONiC, and ecSONiC releases a corresponding version a few months after a new version is released on OSS.

Edgecore is actively participating as a SONiC contributor, and the development members have a wealth of knowledge about SONiC and have strong connections with SONiC community members. By using ecSONiC, it is possible to introduce and operate SONiC with generous support from the vendor Edgecore.

The above is the outline and features of ecSONiC. In the next article, I will introduce interoperability between ecSONiC and third-party network OS (NOS).

At the end

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Related information

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code creation procedure

next-generation model...

Interface~

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