OpenSwitch
OpenSwitch (OPX) is a Linux Foundation Networking open-source network operating system for disaggregated switches, providing ASIC abstraction across Broadcom, Cavium, and Barefoot platforms on OCP-compliant hardware from Dell EMC and EdgeCore for Tier 1 service providers and web-scale data center operators.
- Company typePrivate
- Founded2014
- Headquarters—
- Headcount—
- GTM typeB2B
- OfferingSoftware
What OpenSwitch does
OpenSwitch (OPX) is an open-source, Linux-based network operating system (NOS) for disaggregated switches, operated as a project of The Linux Foundation Networking (LFN) under the legal entity "OpenSwitch a Series of LF Projects, LLC." The core product is the OPX NOS, built on an unmodified Debian distribution with a modular architecture featuring the SAI (Switch Abstraction Interface) for ASIC/NPU abstraction across Broadcom, Cavium, and Barefoot platforms, and the CPS (Common POS) abstraction layer that exposes a YANG-modeled, object-centric API supporting Python and C/C++. It ships pre-installed on OCP-compliant hardware from Dell EMC and EdgeCore, supports 10G/25G/40G/100G platforms, and provides full L2/L3 protocol coverage (BGP, OSPF, VLAN, LACP, VRRP, ECMP) plus DevOps automation via Ansible, Chef, Puppet, and Salt+NAPALM.
OpenSwitch does not sell software directly. The base NOS is free, generating CapEx savings for operators, while commercial revenue flows through ecosystem partners: Broadcom (BroadView telemetry), Cavium (PacketTrakker), Metaswitch (CNP-Base-OPX), and Apstra (AOS intent-based networking) sell premium applications, and Dell EMC/EdgeCore provide OEM-embedded distribution plus commercial support. The GTM motion is community-led under Linux Foundation governance, supplemented by an OEM/embedded channel via hardware vendors. Named production deployments include Tier 1 service providers (SK Telecom, Vodafone) and large enterprises (Verizon Connect), with Dell EMC as the primary contributor since 2016 after HPE ended its initial sponsorship. The project joined LFN as a sandbox project in September 2019 and was declared mature at Release 3.2 in August 2020.
OpenSwitch firmographics
Firmographics- Name
- OpenSwitch
- Legal name
- OpenSwitch a Series of LF Projects, LLC
- Website
- https://openswitch.net
- Company type
- Private
- Founded year
- 2014
- Operating status
- Operating
- Short description
- OpenSwitch (OPX) is a Linux Foundation Networking open-source network operating system for disaggregated switches, providing ASIC abstraction across Broadcom, Cavium, and Barefoot platforms on OCP-compliant hardware from Dell EMC and EdgeCore for Tier 1 service providers and web-scale data center operators.
- Ownership category
- akta.pro rank
OpenSwitch industry classification
Industry- Product category
- Network Infrastructure Software
- NAICS
- Computer Systems Design and Related Services (5415), Computer Systems Design Services (541512)
- SIC
- Services-Prepackaged Software (7372), Services-Computer Integrated Systems Design (7373)
- akta.pro primary industry
- Network Virtualization & Overlays (VXLAN/EVPN) (HDABAFAD)
Keywords
OpenSwitch business model
Business model- GTM type
- B2B
- Offering type
- Software
- Cost components
- Technology or R&D, Personnel, Infrastructure, Marketing or Sales, Operations
Revenue model
- Open Source NOS Base (Free): Free NOS Base software provides CapEx savings through open source model, enabling disaggregated networking deployments without licensing costs
- Premium Applications: Premium applications from ecosystem partners (Broadcom BroadView, Cavium PacketTrakker, Apstra AOS, Metaswitch CNP-Base) provide additional revenue opportunities for the ecosystem while delivering advanced telemetry, intent-based networking, and protocol capabilities
- Enterprise Support Services: Commercial support available through ecosystem partners like Dell EMC and Metaswitch who resell and support OPX-based solutions
Pricing tiers
| Model | Billing | Price |
|---|---|---|
| Freemium | Others | OPX NOS Base - Free open source NOS for OCP-compliant hardware |
Go-to-market motion2 records
Distribution channels4 records
Marketing channels11 records
OpenSwitch product offering
Product offeringCore offering
OpenSwitch (OPX) is an open source, Linux-based Network Operating System (NOS) for disaggregated, OCP-compliant switches, built on an unmodified Debian distribution with an ONIE boot loader. It provides a programmable abstraction of switching ASICs/NPUs and optics through SAI and the CPS abstraction layer, a full Layer 2/3 control plane, DevOps automation integration, and is paired with a free NOS Base plus a partner ecosystem of premium applications (telemetry, routing, SDN, intent-based networking) and enterprise support services delivered by ecosystem vendors such as Dell EMC, EdgeCore, Broadcom, Cavium, Metaswitch, Apstra, and Inocybe.
Product overview
OpenSwitch (OPX) is an open source Linux-based Network Operating System (NOS) platform for disaggregated/composable networking. The core offering is the OPX NOS, a commercially-deployed, field-proven network operating system that provides abstraction of network components such as switching ASICs and optical transceivers. The platform uses an unmodified Linux Debian distribution and offers the free NOS Base for CapEx savings, supplemented by a growing ecosystem of premium collaborative applications including BroadView telemetry, Packet Trakker telemetry, FRRouting, and Inocybe OpenDayLight integration.
Differentiator
Problem solved
Functional benefit
Products and services
- OPX Network Operating System (OpenSwitch NOS) An open source, Linux-based network operating system (NOS) for disaggregated, OCP-compliant switches. Built on an unmodified Debian distribution with an ONIE boot loader, OPX provides a programmable abstraction of switching ASICs/NPUs and optics via the SAI and CPS abstraction layers, a full Layer 2/3 control plane (Bridging, LACP, VLAN, IPv4/IPv6, BGP, OSPF, ECMP, VRRP), DevOps automation integration (Ansible, Chef, Puppet, Salt+Napalm), and is targeted at data center operators, Tier 1 service providers, network equipment vendors (e.g., Dell EMC, EdgeCore), and developers/ISVs building networking applications.
Quantifiable outcome
- Significantly reduces CapEx by eliminating proprietary NOS licensing costs
- +3 more outcomes
Companies that use OpenSwitch
Customer profileNamed customers4 records
Segments4 records
Ideal customer profiles4 records
OpenSwitch technology and API
TechnologyTechnology focussed Yes
API detail
- Has API
- Yes
- API docs
- API detail
Core technology
AI maturity
App detail
Integration11 records
Feature5 records
OpenSwitch partnerships and signals
Strategic signalPartnerships
18 partnerships are on record, tiered core, flagship, secondary and former/historical.
- Dell EMCcorePrimary contributor and leader of the OpenSwitch project since 2016. Dell EMC contributes code, hardware platforms (S-series, Z-series switches), and engineering resources. Provides ONIE installer support and hardware compatibility for OPX NOS deployment. Resells Metaswitch's white box and open network OS solutions.
- Linux FoundationcoreParent organization hosting OpenSwitch as an LFN (Linux Foundation Networking) project. Provides governance, marketing infrastructure, technical committee, and harmonization across networking projects.
- ApstraflagshipIntent-based networking software partner integrating with OPX. AOS 2.2 includes first-line support for OPX customers. Deployed OPX on Dell EMC Z9100-N switches in Tier 1 Service Provider production network.
- MetaswitchflagshipProvides CNP-Base-OPX package with complete suite of Layer 2 and Layer 3 control plane protocols and management interface options. Dell EMC resells Metaswitch's white box and open network OS. Composable Network Protocols integrated with OPX NOS.
- CaviumcoreContributed XPliant programmable ASIC support and PacketTrakker programmable telemetry software. OPX supports Cavium XPliant-based platforms (S5148F-ON, Edgecore 7512-32X).
- BroadcomcoreCharter contributor providing Trident and Tomahawk ASIC support. Provides BroadView premium telemetry application suite for Broadcom switch internals. OPX supports Broadcom Qumran, Trident 2+, Trident 3, and Tomahawk ASICs.
- InocybesecondaryOpen Networking solution using OpenDayLight as CPS interface. Integrated OpenSwitch NOS with ODL controller for disaggregated software stack with model-driven architecture based on RESTful API.
- InMon (hsflowd)secondaryOpen source sFlow daemon adapted to obtain data from NPUs via CPS for flow-based telemetry in OPX ecosystem.
- FRRoutingcoreOpen source IP routing protocol suite for Linux platforms including BGP, OSPF daemon support tested with OPX as an alternative protocol stack.
- EdgeCorecoreOCP-approved hardware vendor providing AS7512-32X 100G switch pre-loaded with OPX. Contributed Cavium XPliant platform support.
- HPEformer/historicalOriginal founder and main contributor when project started in 2014. HPE ended support for initial version, with Dell EMC taking over leadership in 2016.
- SnapRouteformer/historicalKey contributor who stepped up with Dell EMC in 2016 to continue the project after HPE ended support.
- AwnixsecondaryCollaborated with Apstra and Dell EMC to reduce TCO in Tier 1 Service Provider deployments using OPX-based disaggregated solutions.
- Globe TelecomsecondaryNew member joined the OpenSwitch community in 2019 as part of LFN expansion.
- Sterlite Technologies (STL)secondaryNew member joined the OpenSwitch community in 2019 as part of LFN expansion.
- Intelformer/historicalCharter contributor to OpenSwitch project alongside HPE, Accton, Broadcom, Qosmos, and Dell EMC.
- Acctonformer/historicalCharter contributor to OpenSwitch project alongside HPE, Broadcom, Intel, Qosmos, and Dell EMC.
- Qosmosformer/historicalCharter contributor to OpenSwitch project alongside HPE, Accton, Broadcom, Intel, and Dell EMC.
Scale indicators4 records
Recent moves8 records
Expansion highlights4 records
OpenSwitch competitors and assessment
Company assessmentOthers
- Edgecore Networks: OCP-compliant white-box switch hardware vendor and OPX OEM/embedded partner (AS7512-32X). Adjacent rather than competing — supplies the hardware on which OPX runs and also pre-loads rival NOS options.
- FRRouting (FRR): Open-source IP routing protocol suite (BGP, OSPF, etc.) for Linux platforms and an OPX ecosystem integration partner. Functionally complementary rather than competing, but shares the open-source networking stack audience.
Direct peers
- DENT: Open-source Linux Foundation project providing a disaggregated network OS for switches using SAI, with contributions from Amazon and Edgecore. Closest architectural and governance peer to OPX within the LF Networking ecosystem.
- IP Infusion OcNOS: Commercial carrier-grade network operating system for disaggregated switches and routers, supporting multiple ASIC vendors and white-box platforms. Targets the same Tier 1 service provider and data-center use cases as OPX.
- Pica8 PicOS: Linux-based white-box network operating system supporting OpenFlow and traditional L2/L3 protocols on OCP-compliant switches. Competes head-on with OPX in enterprise and service-provider disaggregated deployments.
- SONiC (Software for Open Networking in the Cloud): Open-source Linux-based network operating system for switches, originated by Microsoft and now hosted by the Linux Foundation. Directly comparable to OPX as an open-source NOS for disaggregated/data-center switches targeting hyperscalers and Tier 1 service providers.
- NVIDIA Cumulus Linux: Linux-based open network OS for white-box switches, originally Cumulus Networks (now part of NVIDIA). Directly competes with OPX in the disaggregated/data-center switching space with similar SAI-based abstraction and broad ASIC support.
Broad incumbents
- Arista EOS: Proprietary network operating system from Arista Networks dominating cloud and large data-center switching. Competes for the same hyperscaler and large-enterprise switching sockets that OPX-based white-box solutions target.
- Juniper JunOS: Proprietary network operating system from Juniper Networks spanning routing, switching, and security. Serves the same Tier 1 service-provider and large-enterprise customers OPX targets.
- Cisco IOS-XR / NX-OS: Proprietary network operating systems from Cisco powering service-provider and data-center routing/switching platforms. Represents the established, vertically integrated incumbent OPX is positioned against in disaggregation deals.
Market position
Strengths4 records
Weaknesses4 records
Competitive moat4 records
Key risks5 records
Key highlights6 records
Customer concentration
OpenSwitch social profiles
Digital presenceOpenSwitch compliance and trust
Trust signalCompliance1 record
OpenSwitch financial estimates
Financial estimateRevenue estimate
Valuation estimate
OpenSwitch leadership team
Management profileNumber of profiles
Profiles1 record
OpenSwitch funding detail
Funding detailFunding overview
Funding rounds
Investors
Funding detail is available on the Subscription and Enterprise plan.Contact sales →
OpenSwitch M&A and investment
M&A and investmentM&A
Investments
M&A and investment is available on the Subscription and Enterprise plan.Contact sales →
Frequently asked questions about OpenSwitch
What does OpenSwitch do?
OpenSwitch (OPX) is an open source, Linux-based Network Operating System (NOS) for disaggregated, OCP-compliant switches, built on an unmodified Debian distribution with an ONIE boot loader. It provides a programmable abstraction of switching ASICs/NPUs and optics through SAI and the CPS abstraction layer, a full Layer 2/3 control plane, DevOps automation integration, and is paired with a free NOS Base plus a partner ecosystem of premium applications (telemetry, routing, SDN, intent-based networking) and enterprise support services delivered by ecosystem vendors such as Dell EMC, EdgeCore, Broadcom, Cavium, Metaswitch, Apstra, and Inocybe.
Is OpenSwitch a public or private company?
OpenSwitch is a private company. It is classified as nonprofit foundation owned and is currently operating.
When was OpenSwitch founded?
OpenSwitch was founded in 2014.
How does OpenSwitch make money?
Three revenue lines are on record. Open Source NOS Base (Free) is the primary driver. The others are premium Applications and enterprise Support Services.
Who are OpenSwitch's main competitors?
Others on record are Edgecore Networks and FRRouting (FRR). Direct peers are DENT, IP Infusion OcNOS, Pica8 PicOS, SONiC (Software for Open Networking in the Cloud) and NVIDIA Cumulus Linux. Broad incumbents are Arista EOS, Juniper JunOS and Cisco IOS-XR / NX-OS.
Does OpenSwitch have an API?
Yes. OPX provides an object-centric API for application development using a well-defined object model with programmatic APIs. The object model is defined using YANG modeling, and APIs support Python and C/C++ programming languages. Control plane services APIs are available for DevOps automation and provisioning. Developer documentation is at github.com/open-switch/opx-docs/wiki/Application-programming.
What industry is OpenSwitch in?
OpenSwitch's product category is Network Infrastructure Software. Its primary akta.pro industry code is HDABAFAD, Network Virtualization & Overlays (VXLAN/EVPN). Its NAICS code is 5415 and its SIC code is 7372.