Cumulus Network takes a different approach than the typical model, in which the hardware switch vendor bakes in its own operating system. The startup wants hardware vendors to build whitebox networking gear, which can then be imaged with an operating system. Cumulus wants that operating system to be its own Cumulus Linux.
The idea of building your own switch is not a new one, but to date, it hasn’t been as easy as imaging a new server with an operating system. JR Rivers, co-founder and CEO of Cumulus Networks, explained to Enterprise Networking Planet that though people have been talking about whitebox switches for years, there has been no place to buy them.
“It has always been a half-myth, but what we’re doing is turning the myth into reality,” Rivers said.
Read the full story at Enterprise Networking Planet:
What’s Inside Cumulus Linux for Networking?
Sean Michael Kerner is a senior editor at InternetNews.com. Follow him on Twitter @TechJournalist.