Technical Blog
Engineering insights, architectural deep dives, and open networking updates — SR‑MPLS, EVPN, AI fabric, IPoDWDM and beyond.
OcNOS CP 7.0 General Availability: SR-MPLS and EVPN-VXLAN Bundles for Modern Networks
OcNOS CP 7.0 is generally available with two new purpose-built bundles: SR-MPLS for service provider modernization and EVPN-VXLAN for data center fabrics. Enhanced security, on-change telemetry, and event-driven automation complete the release.
OcNOS CP 7.0: The Proven Control Plane Foundation for Next-Generation Networking Products
OcNOS CP 7.0 is now generally available. Built on 25+ years of ZebOS heritage, this production-ready networking control plane source code platform accelerates time-to-market by 12-18 months for OEMs, ODMs, and networking product builders.
Evolving from Legacy P-OTN to SR-MPLS Based IPoDWDM Networks with OcNOS
Legacy Packet-Optical Transport Networks (P-OTN) based on second-generation OTN are reaching end of support life. This migration guide explains how service providers can transition to SR-MPLS based IPoDWDM architecture with OcNOS — replacing legacy OTN circuits with scalable packet-switched transport while converging IP and optical management.
OcNOS 7.0: What’s New — Open Networking for AI, Transport, and Cloud
OcNOS 7.0 is now generally available with over 80 new features for service provider transport, AI/ML data center fabrics, IPoDWDM convergence, and broadband access aggregation — all on open, disaggregated hardware.
OcNOS 7.0 for Service Providers: SR-TE, Flex-Algo, RPKI, and Container Edge
OcNOS 7.0 for Service Providers delivers a complete network modernization platform: SR-TE replaces legacy OTN, Flex-Algo enables network slicing, RPKI secures the peering edge, and on-change gNMI telemetry eliminates polling — on open, disaggregated hardware.
OcNOS 7.0 for Data Centers: AI Fabric, 800G Platforms, and EVPN-VXLAN at Scale
OcNOS 7.0 for Data Centers introduces AI/ML fabric support on Broadcom Tomahawk 5 with 800G switching, lossless RoCEv2 transport, EVPN-VXLAN multi-site overlay extension, and on-change gNMI telemetry — all on open, disaggregated hardware.
IPoDWDM Simplified: Managing 100G and 400G Coherent Optics Directly from OcNOS
Traditional DWDM deployments require a separate optical NMS to manage transponders and wavelengths. IPoDWDM collapses this by integrating coherent optical management directly into OcNOS — operators configure optical parameters alongside IP routing in a single CLI. This guide explains the architecture and configuration of IPoDWDM on OcNOS.
Stop Polling, Start Streaming: Why SNMP is Failing Modern Networks and How gNMI Fixes It
SNMP has been the network monitoring standard for 30 years. But in AI data centers and high-speed SP networks, polling-based visibility introduces a fundamental lag that makes real-time operational decisions impossible. This guide explains why gNMI streaming telemetry replaces SNMP, and how to configure on-change subscriptions in OcNOS.
RSVP Auto Bypass on OcNOS: Automating MPLS Resiliency at Scale
In traditional MPLS networks, configuring RSVP-TE backup tunnels for every possible failure scenario requires significant manual effort and is error-prone. RSVP Auto Bypass automates this process — OcNOS dynamically creates and maintains bypass tunnels for all protected LSPs, eliminating manual tunnel engineering while preserving sub-50ms failover.
The AI Network Decision Framework: Optimizing GPU Fabric for Speed, ROI, and Strategic Freedom
A suboptimal AI data center network can reduce GPU utilization by up to 50% during training workloads. This framework helps enterprises design AI fabric infrastructure that maximizes job completion time, minimizes cost, and avoids proprietary lock-in — with OcNOS as the open networking foundation.
Try IP Maestro Before You Deploy: The IP Maestro Demo VM is Now Available
The IP Maestro Demo VM lets you evaluate the OcNOS Element Management System in your own environment before committing to deployment. Available as a free download, the Demo VM includes the complete IP Maestro application stack with pre-configured sample topologies — ideal for trials, training, and proof-of-concept evaluations.
IP Maestro 3.1 Generally Available: Third-Party Device Mapping and Enhanced Automation
IP Maestro 3.1 is now generally available. The headline feature is third-party device mapping — non-OcNOS devices can now be added to the IP Maestro topology view, giving operators a unified network map across their entire brownfield environment. This release also delivers greater automation breadth and improved multi-site visibility.
Simplifying OcNOS Configuration Backups with Ansible
Automated configuration backups are a fundamental network operations requirement. This guide shows how to use Ansible to schedule regular OcNOS configuration backups via SSH, store them in a Git repository for version history, and alert on configuration drift — all without dedicated backup software.
OcNOS in ContainerLab Part 2: Platform Analysis for Linux, Windows, and macOS
Running OcNOS ContainerLab topologies on non-Linux platforms requires understanding nested virtualization constraints. This guide documents hands-on test results for native Linux (bare metal and VM), Windows with WSL2, macOS with Colima, and hybrid setups — including what works, what does not, and the best configuration for each environment.
Flex-Algo in OcNOS: Optimizing Network Paths Using Link Delay
Flex-Algo with link delay metric builds a routing topology where path selection minimizes actual measured latency — not IGP hop count or administrative cost. This is essential for 5G fronthaul, real-time gaming, and financial trading applications where sub-millisecond path selection matters. This guide covers delay measurement with TWAMP, IS-IS delay advertisement, and Flex-Algo 128 configuration in OcNOS.
OcNOS 6.6.1 Available Now: Full AI Fabric on Tomahawk 5, SR Enhancements, and EVPN Expansion
OcNOS 6.6.1 completes the AI fabric story started in 6.6: full lossless RoCEv2 support on Broadcom Tomahawk 5-based platforms with PFC, ETS, DCBX, and ECN for large-scale GPU interconnects. This release also expands Segment Routing capabilities and EVPN service coverage across the platform portfolio.
Flex-Algo in OcNOS: Optimizing Network Paths Using TE-Metric
Flex-Algo with TE-metric allows operators to define a separate routing topology where path selection is based on Traffic Engineering metrics — independent of IGP link costs. This enables high-bandwidth traffic to follow capacity-optimized paths while latency-sensitive traffic continues on shortest-path IGP routes.
Performance Measurement in OcNOS: Y.1731 OAM and Y.1564 Service Acceptance Testing
Y.1731 provides Ethernet OAM for continuous in-service performance monitoring of delay, jitter, and loss across carrier Ethernet services. Y.1564 defines a standardized acceptance test procedure for validating service parameters before handing off to the customer. This guide covers both standards and their OcNOS configuration.
Building a Budget OcNOS Lab with ContainerLab: Part 1 — Linux Setup
ContainerLab defines network topologies as code using simple YAML files, making it ideal for reproducible OcNOS lab environments. This guide covers setting up ContainerLab on a budget Linux mini-PC, importing the OcNOS container image, and deploying your first multi-node IS-IS SR topology using a single YAML file.
Flex-Algo in OcNOS: Fundamentals of Customized Path Selection
Segment Routing Flexible Algorithm (Flex-Algo) allows network operators to define multiple routing topologies over a single IS-IS domain — each optimized for a different objective such as lowest delay, highest capacity, or traffic isolation. This guide covers Flex-Algo concepts, algorithm definition, SID assignment, and OcNOS configuration.
OcNOS 6.6 Generally Available: Flex-Algo Network Slicing, AI Fabric Foundations, and SR Enhancements
OcNOS 6.6 is now generally available. This release delivers production-ready Flex-Algo network slicing for service providers, expanded AI fabric capabilities with initial PFC and ETS support for data centers, and Segment Routing enhancements across both SP and DC product lines.
OcNOS 6.6 for Data Centers: AI Fabric PFC/ETS, EVPN Policy Enhancements, and 400G Upgrade
OcNOS 6.6 for Data Centers introduces Priority-Based Flow Control (PFC) and Enhanced Transmission Selection (ETS) for lossless RoCEv2 AI workloads, enhanced EVPN Route Target policy control for multi-tenant fabrics, and improved 400G platform support for spine layer upgrades.
OcNOS 6.6 for Service Providers: Production Flex-Algo, SR Enhancements, and New Edge Platforms
OcNOS 6.6 SP delivers production-ready Flex-Algo for IS-IS SR network slicing, SR Flexible Algorithm for latency and capacity optimization, enhanced EVPN multi-homing, improved BFD performance, and new fanless platform support for rural and remote edge deployments.
Multi-Domain ISIS-SR with BGP-LU and EVPN L2VPN/L3VPN Overlay on OcNOS
Large-scale service provider networks cannot operate as a single IS-IS domain. Multi-domain ISIS-SR with BGP Labeled Unicast (BGP-LU) stitches multiple SR domains together, enabling end-to-end EVPN L2VPN and L3VPN services across domain boundaries — with TI-LFA fast reroute within each domain.
IP Maestro 3.0 General Availability: REST APIs, Text Config Push, and Streaming Telemetry
IP Maestro 3.0 is now available. This release integrates IP Maestro with northbound controllers via REST APIs, adds text-based configuration push for direct CLI and JSON config deployment, adds Japanese language support, and introduces streaming telemetry integration for real-time network visibility.
EVPN-L3VPN over ISIS-SR and TI-LFA in OcNOS: IP Routing Across the SR Backbone
EVPN L3VPN uses BGP EVPN route type 5 (IP prefix routes) to provide Layer 3 VPN services across an SR-MPLS backbone. This guide covers VRF configuration, EVPN route type 5 operation, inter-VRF routing, and DCI (Data Center Interconnect) use cases on OcNOS with ISIS-SR and TI-LFA.
Performance Measurement for Service Providers: TWAMP in OcNOS
Service providers need active performance measurement tools to verify SLA compliance and detect network degradation before customers notice. TWAMP (Two-Way Active Measurement Protocol) measures bidirectional delay, jitter, and packet loss between any two OcNOS nodes. This guide covers TWAMP architecture, OcNOS configuration, and integration with service assurance workflows.
EVPN-ETREE over ISIS-SR with TI-LFA: Rooted Multipoint L2 Service on OcNOS
EVPN E-Tree provides rooted multipoint Layer 2 connectivity with strict traffic separation between leaf sites. Unlike E-LAN where all sites communicate freely, E-Tree enforces a root-and-leaf hierarchy: leaf-to-leaf traffic is blocked at the service level. This guide covers E-Tree configuration on OcNOS with ISIS-SR.
OcNOS Receives MEF 3.0 Certification on UfiSpace S9510-28DC: Carrier Ethernet Validated
IP Infusion has achieved MEF 3.0 certification for OcNOS running on the UfiSpace S9510-28DC open networking switch. MEF 3.0 certification verifies that OcNOS delivers interoperable, standards-compliant carrier Ethernet services — a key qualification requirement for wholesale and enterprise service delivery.
Automating Network Deployments with OcNOS: Ansible, NETCONF, and gNMI
Manual network configuration does not scale. OcNOS supports multiple automation interfaces — Ansible via NETCONF, direct gNMI, and OpenConfig YANG models — enabling infrastructure-as-code deployments, zero-touch provisioning, and configuration drift detection across large SP and DC networks.
EVPN-ELAN over ISIS-SR with TI-LFA: Multipoint L2 Service on OcNOS
EVPN E-LAN (Ethernet LAN) provides multipoint Layer 2 connectivity — the EVPN successor to VPLS. This guide covers single-homed and multi-homed EVPN-ELAN configuration on OcNOS with IS-IS Segment Routing, including control-plane MAC learning, BUM traffic handling, and multi-homing with ESI.
EVPN-ELINE over ISIS-SR with TI-LFA: Single-Homed and Multi-Homed Deployments
EVPN E-LINE (Ethernet Private Line) provides point-to-point Layer 2 connectivity over an MPLS/SR network. This guide covers single-homed and multi-homed EVPN-ELINE configuration on OcNOS with IS-IS Segment Routing and TI-LFA fast reroute, including BGP EVPN route type 1 and 2 operation.
IP Infusion Completes TIP IPoDWDM Phase-2 PoC: Open IP and Optical Convergence Validated
IP Infusion has successfully completed Phase-2 of the TIP (Telecom Infra Project) IPoDWDM Proof of Concept under the MANTRA subgroup. This PoC validates disaggregated IP-over-DWDM architecture using OcNOS with open optical line systems — a critical step toward standardized open optical transport for service providers.
State of Open Networking 2024: From Niche to Mainstream
Open networking crossed the mainstream threshold in 2024. More than 600 customers across 40+ countries run OcNOS in production. AI data center buildouts are accelerating white-box adoption. And the technology stack — SR-MPLS, EVPN, OpenConfig, gNMI — has matured to match every capability of proprietary alternatives.
IP Maestro 2.0 General Availability: Point-and-Click Management for OcNOS Networks
IP Maestro 2.0 is now generally available. This release delivers an enhanced web GUI for OcNOS network management with Role-Based Access Control (RBAC) and LDAP authentication, Configuration Management improvements, Fault Management enhancements, and expanded Device Management capabilities.
OcNOS 6.5 Generally Available: OpenConfig, 400G Platforms, and SR Enhancements
OcNOS 6.5 is now generally available with expanded OpenConfig YANG model support for vendor-neutral automation, new 400G hardware platforms for both SP and DC, Segment Routing enhancements including improved Flex-Algo support, and a broad set of EVPN-VXLAN fabric improvements.
OcNOS 6.5 for Service Providers: SR-MPLS Maturity, 5G Timing, and Aggregation Scale
OcNOS 6.5 for Service Providers delivers a hardened SR-MPLS platform across access, cell site router, aggregation, and core use cases. Key additions include improved 5G timing accuracy, expanded PTP grandmaster support, SR-MPLS scale improvements, and the fanless UfiSpace S9502-16SMT for remote site deployments.
OcNOS 6.5 for Data Centers: OpenConfig Automation, EVPN Scale, and 400G Spine
OcNOS 6.5 for Data Centers introduces OpenConfig YANG model support via NETCONF for vendor-neutral automation, EVPN-VXLAN fabric scale improvements, new 400G spine platform support on Broadcom Tomahawk 3, and enhanced multi-tenant isolation capabilities.
LDP to SR-MPLS Migration in OcNOS: A Phased Approach
Migrating from LDP to Segment Routing does not require a network-wide cutover. OcNOS supports a phased, coexistence-based migration where LDP and SR-MPLS operate simultaneously, allowing operators to migrate node-by-node without service disruption. This guide covers the three migration phases with OcNOS CLI configuration.
ISIS-SR with TI-LFA in OcNOS: Topology-Independent Fast Reroute
TI-LFA (Topology-Independent Loop-Free Alternate) is the most powerful Fast Reroute mechanism available for SR-MPLS networks. Unlike LFA and RLFA, TI-LFA provides 100% coverage for any link or node failure in any network topology. This guide explains how TI-LFA works and how to configure it in OcNOS with IS-IS Segment Routing.
Segment Routing Explained: Why SR-MPLS Is Replacing LDP and RSVP-TE
Segment Routing (SR-MPLS) simplifies MPLS networks by eliminating LDP and RSVP-TE signaling. This guide explains why service providers are adopting SR, how segments work, how SRGB is configured in OcNOS, and how SR enables scalable traffic engineering without per-flow state.
Network Operating Systems Compared: OcNOS, SONiC, and Proprietary — Which is Right for Your Network?
The NOS landscape in 2024 offers more choices than ever: proprietary (Cisco IOS-XR, Juniper Junos), open source (community SONiC), commercial open (OcNOS, Commercial SONiC). This definitive comparison covers protocol coverage, support, TCO, and use case fit to help operators choose the right platform.
Considering Community SONiC? Why OcNOS Might Be Your Better Path
Community SONiC is free and open source, but production deployment requires significant engineering investment: platform integration, protocol testing, support infrastructure, and ongoing maintenance. OcNOS delivers a production-ready alternative with a validated hardware ecosystem, 24x7 support, and a full SP/DC protocol stack — without the DIY overhead.
OcNOS vs. Proprietary Network Operating Systems: Breaking Free Without Compromise
Cisco IOS-XR, Juniper Junos, and Nokia SR OS have defined carrier networking for decades. OcNOS challenges this model by delivering equivalent or superior routing capabilities on open hardware — without the vendor lock-in, hardware dependency, or inflexible pricing that come with proprietary stacks.
OcNOS DC vs. Commercial SONiC: A Data-Center-First Comparison
Both OcNOS and Commercial SONiC run on open, white-box hardware — but they represent fundamentally different approaches to open networking. This comparison examines support models, protocol coverage, roadmap control, and total cost of ownership to help network teams choose the right platform.
Overlay ECMP with EVPN-VXLAN in OcNOS: Part 2 — Multi-VM Subnet Scaling
Part 2 extends overlay ECMP to scenarios where multiple VMs sharing the same subnet are hosted on a single hypervisor. This requires understanding how OcNOS handles subnet route advertisements differently from host routes, and how EBGP between the VM and leaf VRF enables correct ECMP across the fabric.
Overlay ECMP with EVPN-VXLAN in OcNOS: Part 1 — Load Balancing Across Hypervisors
Equal-Cost Multipath (ECMP) in an EVPN-VXLAN overlay allows traffic to be distributed across multiple hypervisors hosting the same service IP. Part 1 covers the data center Clos topology, EVPN-VXLAN underlay/overlay setup, and how OcNOS achieves load balancing for web-tier workloads.
Deploying VPLS on OcNOS: Step-by-Step Configuration Guide
Virtual Private LAN Service (VPLS) remains one of the most widely deployed L2VPN technologies in service provider networks. This guide walks through a complete VPLS deployment on OcNOS: OSPF underlay, LDP label distribution, and VPLS pseudowire configuration with verification commands.
OcNOS 6.4: Streaming Telemetry, EVPN Enhancements, and Expanded Platform Support
OcNOS 6.4 is generally available. This release introduces gNMI-based streaming telemetry for data centers, significant EVPN and CLI management improvements for service providers, and new platform support across access, aggregation, and data center use cases.
OcNOS 6.4 for Data Centers: gNMI Telemetry, EVPN Policy Control, and OpenConfig
OcNOS 6.4 for Data Centers introduces gNMI dial-in streaming telemetry with OpenConfig YANG models, enhanced EVPN Route Target filtering for multi-tenant policy control, selective packet mirroring, and improved operational visibility across VXLAN fabric deployments.
OcNOS 6.4 for Service Providers: CLI Management, EVPN Scale, and Access Improvements
OcNOS 6.4 for Service Providers focuses on operational efficiency and scale. Key improvements include enhanced CLI management output, NETCONF YANG model expansion, EVPN multi-homing stability, and improved BGP convergence for full-table peering deployments across access, aggregation, and core use cases.
Legacy ISP Router End-of-Life: How Open Networking with OcNOS Solves the Migration Problem
When legacy ISP routers reach end-of-life — whether MikroTik CCR, legacy Cisco platforms, or discontinued white-box hardware — the migration decision shapes network architecture for years. OcNOS on open hardware offers ISPs and WISPs a migration path that improves capabilities, reduces cost, and avoids the next vendor lock-in cycle.
Running Multiple OcNOS VMs in EVE-NG: Setup and Configuration Guide
EVE-NG (Emulated Virtual Environment Next Generation) is widely used in enterprise network labs and training environments. This guide covers adding the OcNOS QEMU image to EVE-NG, building a multi-node topology via the web GUI, and running IS-IS, BGP, and MPLS configuration tests on OcNOS VMs.
OcNOS Data Center for Internet Exchange Points (IXP): Design and Configuration Guide
Internet Exchange Points (IXPs) have unique network design requirements: massive BGP route table scale, L2 fabric reliability, VLAN segmentation, and route server infrastructure. OcNOS-DC meets all these requirements on open white-box hardware, delivering IXP-grade performance at significantly lower infrastructure cost.
A Practical Guide to Network Disaggregation: Lessons from Real Deployments
Network disaggregation is no longer a theoretical concept — hundreds of service providers and data center operators run OcNOS in production. This practical guide distills lessons from real deployments: what questions to ask before starting, how to structure the migration, what operational changes to expect, and how to measure success.
Fanless Cell Site Routers for 5G Backhaul: OcNOS in Remote and Rugged Environments
5G cell sites are often located in environments incompatible with traditional active-cooled routers: rooftops, street cabinets, remote towers, and outdoor enclosures. OcNOS supports multiple fanless Cell Site Router platforms that deliver full 5G backhaul capabilities — SR-MPLS, EVPN, PTP timing — in passively cooled compact form factors.
IP Infusion Achieves TL 9000 Certification: Carrier-Grade Quality for OcNOS
IP Infusion has achieved TL 9000 certification for OcNOS software development and technical support operations in India, USA, and Canada. TL 9000 is the telecommunications industry quality management standard — certification confirms that OcNOS development and support processes meet carrier-grade quality requirements.
IS-IS Micro-Loop Avoidance in OcNOS 6.3: Preventing Transient Forwarding Loops
Micro-loops are transient packet-forwarding loops that occur during IS-IS convergence when different routers update their forwarding tables at different times. OcNOS 6.3 introduces IS-IS micro-loop avoidance using Segment Routing explicit paths to hold traffic on the pre-convergence path until all routers have converged.
OcNOS 6.3 Generally Available: 400G Aggregation, IPoDWDM, and BGP DDoS Prevention
OcNOS 6.3 is now generally available. This release expands the hardware ecosystem with a new 400G aggregation router platform, advances IPoDWDM optical convergence, adds BGP DDoS prevention via FlowSpec, and introduces SR migration improvements and power savings across the platform portfolio.
Running Multiple OcNOS VMs in GNS3: Lab Setup and Configuration Guide
GNS3 lets you run multiple OcNOS VM instances in a single multi-node topology — ideal for testing MPLS, EVPN, BGP, and SR-MPLS configurations before deploying to hardware. This guide covers importing the OcNOS QEMU appliance into GNS3, building a multi-node topology, and running your first OcNOS configuration tests.
OcNOS as a Juniper MX204 Replacement: Independent Validation by IP ArchiTechs
The Juniper MX204 end-of-life announcement created an urgent migration decision for hundreds of service providers. Independent network consultancy IP ArchiTechs validated OcNOS as a direct technical replacement — covering metro Ethernet, BGP peering, MPLS, and EVPN use cases — running on open white-box hardware at a significantly lower TCO.
OcNOS VM: Test Drive the Network Operating System Before You Buy Hardware
The OcNOS Demo VM lets you validate L2, L3, MPLS, and EVPN configurations in GNS3, EVE-NG, or ContainerLab — before committing to hardware. Download it free from the IP Infusion website and start building and testing real OcNOS configurations today.
Why Service Providers Are Deploying Open Networking: 5 Drivers Behind the Shift
More than 100 service providers deployed open networking through IP Infusion in a single year. This article examines the five operational and financial drivers behind the accelerating SP adoption of disaggregated networking — from 5G infrastructure economics to broadband BEAD program requirements.
End-to-End Disaggregated Networks with OcNOS: From Access to Core
OcNOS delivers a single network operating system across the full service provider network stack — access routers, cell site routers, aggregation nodes, optical transport, and data center interconnect. This unified platform approach eliminates the multi-vendor NOS complexity common in legacy SP infrastructure.
Nanosecond Clock Accuracy for 4G/5G Networks: PTP and SyncE with OcNOS
5G NR (New Radio) requires phase synchronization accurate to ±1.5 microseconds at the air interface. Achieving this across a packet-switched transport network requires a combination of IEEE 1588v2 PTP for phase/time distribution and SyncE for frequency synchronization — both supported natively in OcNOS across cell site and aggregation router platforms.
Disaggregating Routed and Optical Networks: Industry Research and Operator Perspectives
A Heavy Reading industry survey conducted with IP Infusion, TIP, and partners found that routed and optical disaggregation are converging. Operators cite cost reduction, vendor independence, and architectural flexibility as the top drivers for adopting open, disaggregated packet and optical transport networks.
The Business Case for Network Disaggregation: TCO, Flexibility, and Innovation Velocity
The financial case for network disaggregation goes beyond hardware cost savings. This analysis covers total cost of ownership across a 5-year horizon, hardware refresh flexibility, supply chain resilience, and the operational efficiency gains from running a single NOS across a diverse hardware portfolio.
What Is Network Disaggregation? A Plain-Language Guide
Network disaggregation separates networking hardware from software, allowing operators to choose the best hardware and software independently — just as servers separated compute from the OS decades ago. This guide explains what disaggregation is, why it matters, and how OcNOS enables it across service provider and data center networks.
No posts in this category yet
More articles coming soon — or .
Stay ahead of open networking
New technical articles, product updates, and OcNOS engineering deep dives — delivered to your inbox.