DENT (operating system)

2019: Project startup

In the middle of December, 2019 announced Linux Foundation the new project open source — the operating system for disaggregated network switches which the companies install far from head office and data centers (for example, in retail stores). Authors of an initiative pursue the aim — to simplify the software for data processing on border of corporate networks (so-called peripheral calculations).

Linux Foundation started the project on creation of network OS

The new Linux Foundation project received the name DENT. Several large technology companies, including Amazon, Cumulus Networks, Delta Electronics, Marvell Technology, Mellanox Technologies, Wistron and NeWeb joined it.

Supporters of DENT try to develop an open network architecture on network edge, using the idea of "disaggregation". It is about transition of switches and routers from the proprietary closed equipment and the software creating one producer to absolutely incoherent open components which integrate in one full-fledged network device.

Separate networks of this kind are quite popular in  some industries, including in the telecommunication sector. But  founders of DENT claim that in  the market there are no solutions for borders of corporate networks so far, and  public clouds  owing to the specifics  are not suitable for implementation of potential of disaggregation.

The companies which have a set of remote branches and other objects need a simple and inexpensive stack of network OS on the basis of Linux. The DENT project should provide such solution. It uses a kernel of Linux and different Linux software which simplify abstractions of computer networks, API, drivers, etc.

With  new technologies, such as 5G, peripheral calculations, Internet of Things and artificial intelligence, new generation of remote buildings, retail stores and  enterprises will be had by many innovation workloads and  services which are close to applications and users, says creators of the DENT project.[1]

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