To handle the necessities of working one of many largest clouds on the earth, in 2016, Microsoft introduced a significant innovation to function and handle hundreds of community gadgets utilizing open-source software program, Software program for Open Networking within the Cloud (SONiC). Since then, SONiC has gained momentum because the open supply working system of alternative for cloud-scale information middle networks. A Key part of SONiC is the Swap Abstraction Interface (SAI) that allows ASIC and {hardware} abstraction and community working methods portability. Because of this abstraction layer, networking distributors can present a constant programming interface to their ASICs whereas creating extremely differentiated {hardware} platforms. In return, hyperscalers can rapidly profit from improvements in silicon, elevated reliability, and decreased complexity.
Cisco has been and stays dedicated to driving openness throughout the trade. Once we launched the Cisco 8000, we shared our imaginative and prescient of making merchandise with open capabilities. From day one, we supported Swap Abstraction Interface on our next-generation routing platforms to align properly with our cloud clients’ methods to handle and function hyperscale architectures. Whereas the assist for SONiC on mounted, single NPU methods is an incremental step, assist for SONiC/SAI on a modular platform marks a big milestone in adapting modular routing methods to assist SONiC in a totally distributed means. Consequently, we empower our clients to realize probably the most fascinating community structure based on their wants utilizing Cisco’s gear. Clients can now do that not solely as an idea however at scale, with the superior capabilities they should run their community.
2021 OCP Summit 
On November ninth and tenth, we had the chance to showcase our dedication on the 2021 Open Compute Venture International Summit. OCP celebrated its tenth anniversary with this yr’s occasion. It was made particular by the truth that this is without doubt one of the first in-person occasions we’ve participated in since COVID-19 started. It was particularly thrilling as a result of we received to showcase a modular Cisco 8800 router natively working SONiC on the Route Processor and Linecards.
The Demo
The demo showcased scaling a subsequent era information middle with SONiC VXLAN on the Cisco 8000. We constructed a 3-tier 5 node Clos community utilizing mounted Cisco 8101-32H appearing as a High of the Rack (Tor) change, Cisco 8102-64H as backbone together with modular Cisco 8808 router as super-spine all working SONiC.
We defined within the demonstration the design selections that helped us scale to 32K distant Digital Tunnel Finish Factors (VTEP) with 128K distinctive overlay-prefix and VTEP Encap entries within the {hardware}.
Take a glimpse into our disaggregation journey as we showcase OCP’s SONiC software program on mounted (Cisco8201) and Modular (Cisco88XX) {hardware}.
Along with our demonstration of SONiC on the Cisco 8000 household, we had been additionally featured on the keynote given by Meta (previously Fb) the place Cisco and Meta unveiled the Wedge400C, a 12.8 Tbps OCP white field system that makes use of Cisco Silicon One Q200L. To study extra about this information middle change, learn this latest weblog from Rakesh Chopra, detailing our work with Meta.
In abstract, whether or not a buyer desires a totally built-in system with the silicon, platform, and IOS-XR from Cisco, or desires to run SONiC on Cisco {hardware} (Cisco 8000), or desires a Silicon solely providing, our skilled methods designers, {hardware} and software program engineers have your again. I can proudly say that in our trade, Cisco is the one firm that may meet and exceed our clients’ expectations throughout this spectrum of consumption fashions.
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