Network Operating Systems
Through our deep relationships with the world's top network software vendors, we offer unparalleled insight and custom solutions tailored to your unique use case, helping you navigate the complex landscape of open networking.
List of Open and Commercial Network Operating Systems
The below list provides an overview of various open and commercial network operating systems. It is intended to serve as a helpful resource for understanding the diverse options available in the market. Please note that the list is updated continuously to reflect the latest changes and developments in the industry. As a result, it may not always be 100% accurate or comprehensive at any given moment.
| Name | Status | Type | Description |
|---|---|---|---|
| Arista EOS | Current | Traditional Networking | Fully programmable, Linux-based NOS using standard CLI; runs a single binary software image across Arista switches; resilient and programmable with a multi-process state-sharing architecture. |
| ArubaOS | Current | Traditional Networking | Network OS for wireless solutions; supports large campus solutions, mid-sized branches, and remote workers; offers controller-based and controller-less options. |
| Arrcus ArcOS | Current | Open Networking | Internet-scale, independent NOS built from open standards; offers scalable, secure networking with low latency, fast convergence, and high availability at a low cost per terabit; use cases include data center workloads, IP routing, CDN peering, MPLS, and OOB management. |
| Aviz ONES | Current | Open Networking | Multi-vendor orchestration for SONiC, enabling updates and providing APIs for third-party tool integration. |
| Big Switch Networks | EOL, acquired by Arista | Open Networking | Commercial NOS, paid. |
| Cisco IOS | Current | Traditional Networking | Integrates technology, business services, and hardware support; reduces operational spending, optimizes ROI, and improves productivity. |
| Cisco IOS XE | Current | Traditional Networking | Supports next-gen platforms; runs as a single daemon within Linux; separates data plane and control plane; improved services integration. |
| Cisco IOS XR | Current | Traditional Networking | Focuses on service providers’ needs; designed for dynamic network usage; flexible programmability for reconfiguration. |
| Cisco NX-OS | Current | Traditional Networking | Open, modular, and programmable; optimized for both physical and virtual data center deployments; ensures continuous system operation for uptime. |
| Dent (dentOS) | Current | Open Networking | Open source NOS for branch offices, IoT, industrial IoT, and sensor-based environments; allows user control over setup and management. |
| ExtremeXOS | Current | Traditional Networking | Commercial NOS, paid. |
| IP Infusion OcNOS | Current | Open Networking | NOS for access networks, aggregation services, data centers, and transport services. |
| Junos OS | Current | Traditional Networking | Secure, open, and programmable NOS; enables network automation; core of Juniper’s routing, switching, and security portfolio; improves operational efficiency and service agility. |
| NVIDIA Cumulus Linux | Current | Open Networking | NOS for automating, customizing, and scaling data centers and AI clouds; part of NVIDIA Spectrum-X Platform stack; connects NVIDIA DGX, HGX, OVX platforms, and AI software. |
| NVIDIA Onyx | Moved to maintenance mode | Traditional Networking | Flexible and scalable NOS for next-gen data centers; integrates with hyperconverged and software-defined storage solutions; robust layer-3 protocol stack, built-in monitoring, and high-availability mechanisms. |
| Open Network Install Environment (ONIE) | Current | Open Networking | Pre-installed bootloader on bare metal network switches for automated provisioning. |
| Open Network Linux (ONL) | Moved to maintenance mode | Open Networking | Foundational platform software, open source, free. |
| Pica8 PicOS | Current | Open Networking | NOS for data centers; commercial, paid; now overseen by FS.com. |
| SONiC | Current | Open Networking | Open source, hardened NOS; initially for data centers, now expanding into other use cases. |