Dell Technologies Unveils Open Source Networking Solutions for Data Centers

Dell Technologies (NYSE: DELL) has unveiled the launch of its ‘Enterprise SONiC Distribution by Dell Technologies’, a new set of fully supported open source networking solutions. These open source solutions are intended to help enterprises modernize and simplify the operations and management of their data centers at scale.

As organizations increasingly rely on modern hybrid cloud models to do business, the historically monolithic and proprietary approach to networking has created inefficiencies and unneeded complexity, stated Dell Technologies.

The company is therefore building off the work Microsoft spearheaded as part of the Software for Open Networking in the Cloud (SONiC) open source project. By integrating SONiC into the DNA of the Dell EMC PowerSwitch Open Networking hardware, Dell’s Enterprise SONiC Distribution would remove complexity and create an agile and flexible network through an approach built on open standards.

“Our customers tell us that, while a hybrid cloud approach is critical to their success, they struggle to maintain and scale their networks, and manage them to effectively avoid multiple points of failure,” said Tom Burns, senior vice president and general manager, Dell Technologies Integrated Products & Solutions. “By breaking switch software into multiple, containerized components, we are providing enterprises the means to drastically simplify the management of massive and complex networks and increase availability in a cloud model.”

Enterprise-grade Support

“By breaking switch software into multiple, containerized components, we are providing enterprises the means to drastically simplify the management of massive and complex networks and increase availability in a cloud model,” said Tom Burns, senior vice president and general manager, Dell Technologies Integrated Products & Solutions.

With commercial-grade support for Dell’s Enterprise SONiC Distribution, cloud providers and large enterprises would have a new level of production-tested tools, services and support that previously required significant internal investment technology support teams.

“SONiC is a leading open-source network switch OS, empowering customers with modern and efficient cloud networking software,” said Yousef Khalidi, Corporate Vice President of Microsoft Azure Networking, Microsoft. We’re pleased to see Dell bringing enterprise support to their customers.”

Dell Technologies provides a broad selection of open network operating systems, giving customers the ability to choose the hardware and software platform that best suits their priorities.

“Dell Technologies has introduced a commercially-supported version of SONiC, offering tight integration to other Dell solutions and a clear roadmap designed, to not only support the hyperscalers of the world but also larger enterprises,” said Bob Laliberte, senior analyst and practice director, ESG (Enterprise Strategy Group). “As Dell continues to help customers with its open networking portfolio, its SONiC solution provides those organizations that have lacked the resources to adopt open source solutions the ability to take advantage of flexible, open source architectures.”