GigaOm Key Criteria for Evaluating Disaggregated Network Operating Systems (dNOS)v5.0

1. Executive Summary

A disaggregated network operating system (dNOS) represents a significant shift in network architecture, separating the network operating system software from the underlying hardware. This approach addresses the increasing demands of 5G, cloud services, and complex service requirements that traditional monolithic routing platforms struggle to support, offering unprecedented flexibility, cost-effectiveness, and innovation potential for service providers and enterprises with complex network requirements.

Key Features and Capabilities

A dNOS provides a unified, virtualized network infrastructure that can be managed as a single entity despite running on distributed hardware resources. It supports carrier-grade routing and multiservice functionality, allowing organizations to run various network functions and services on a shared infrastructure. Key capabilities include:

• Hardware-software separation, enabling the use of white-box or commodity hardware.
• Well-defined standard interfaces and APIs for customization and modular design.
• Shared data structures for multivendor application interoperability.
• Support for both software and hardware forwarding planes.
• Cloud-native architecture with containerized microservices.

Importance and Benefits

The adoption of dNOS has become crucial for network evolution for several compelling reasons:

• Cost reduction: Organizations can significantly reduce capital expenditures by using commodity hardware and avoiding vendor lock-in.
• Flexibility and innovation: dNOS allows for the rapid introduction of new hardware and software innovations, accelerating network evolution.
• Operational agility: Operators can update or switch network operating systems without replacing physical hardware.
• Scalability: The cloud-native architecture of dNOS enables better scaling to meet growing network demands.
• Open ecosystem: dNOS fosters an environment where best-of-breed solutions can thrive, promoting innovation and competition.

Evolution and Future Trends

The dNOS concept is evolving rapidly, driven by industry needs and technological advancements:

• Integration with software-defined networking (SDN): dNOS closely aligns with SDN principles, enhancing network programmability and control.
• Open source initiatives: The Linux Foundation projects like DENT and SONiC are driving community collaboration and standardization efforts.
• Optical-IP convergence: Advanced dNOS implementations are beginning to support the convergence of optical and IP networks.
• Edge computing support: dNOS is evolving to support cloud-native edge computing deployments better.
• Enhanced security: As networks become more disaggregated, dNOS is incorporating advanced security features to protect distributed infrastructure.

This evolution marks a decisive shift from traditional monolithic routing platforms to a more open, flexible, and cost-effective approach to network infrastructure deployment. As networks become increasingly complex and demand grows for more agile service delivery, dNOS provides the foundation for next-generation networking that can adapt quickly to changing market demands while maintaining carrier-grade reliability and performance.

Overall, dNOS represents a fundamental shift in network architecture, offering a more flexible alternative to traditional networking equipment. As the technology matures, we expect it to play a crucial role in enabling next-generation networks that can adapt quickly to changing market demands and technological innovations.

Business Imperative

From a CxO perspective, deploying a dNOS solution offers compelling strategic advantages:

• dNOS significantly reduces capital expenditure by enabling the use of white-box hardware and eliminating vendor lock-in, allowing organizations to optimize their network infrastructure costs.
• dNOS enhances operational agility through automated provisioning and management of network resources, enabling rapid adaptation to changing market demands and technological innovations.
• By fostering an open ecosystem that promotes innovation and competition, dNOS accelerates the pace of network evolution, allowing organizations to stay ahead in an increasingly digital landscape while maintaining carrier-grade reliability and performance.

Sector Adoption Score

To help executives and decision-makers assess the potential impact and value of deploying a dNOS solution, this GigaOm Key Criteria report provides a structured assessment of the sector across five factors: benefit, maturity, urgency, impact, and effort. By scoring each factor based on how strongly it compels or deters the adoption of a dNOS solution, we provide an overall Sector Adoption Score (Figure 1) of 4 out of 5, with 5 indicating the strongest possible recommendation to adopt. This means that a dNOS solution is a credible candidate for deployment and worthy of thoughtful consideration.

The factors contributing to the Sector Adoption Score for dNOS are explained in more detail in the following Sector Brief section.

Figure 1. Sector Adoption Score for dNOS

This is the fifth year that GigaOm has reported on the dNOS (previously NOS) space in the context of our Key Criteria and Radar reports. This report builds on our previous analysis and considers how the market has evolved over the last year.

This GigaOm Key Criteria report highlights the capabilities (table stakes, key features, and emerging features) and nonfunctional requirements (business criteria) for selecting an effective dNOS solution. The companion GigaOm Radar report identifies vendors and products that excel in those decision criteria. Together, these reports provide an overview of the market, identify leading dNOS offerings, and help decision-makers evaluate these solutions to make a more informed investment decision.