How Cumulus Linux has transformed the Networking Management?

[palmerhunt]

The software-defined networking is changing the pace of data transition with infrastructure driven networking approach, more agile network management and affordable network hardware. However, there are still many who are unaware of fundamentals of SDN?

What is Software-defined networking?
SDN refers to a network infrastructure approach in which the networking control plane is decoupled from the hardware or physical topology. The Software defined approaching in the networking provides operators with a number of advantages. It has increased flexibility to the users along with improved performance and simplified operations.

The most important and key features of software defined networking include centralized control plane. This facilitates logical mapping of the network. It also provides features like slicing and virtualization of the network.
There are many approaches to SDN; however, the most significant is the arrival of switch firmware and white-box switches technology. This is the core of the solution accessible from Cumulus software network.

Cumulus Linux is based on the Debian distribution. Debain is similar to ordinary Linux box form the inside. For Example, For configuring an Ethernet interface, you you have to add an entry to the network interfaces file. This is how details are provided about that physical interface. After this, ifup and ifdown approach is used to control the network interface. If you know how to do standard routing, forwarding, bridging, and firewalling with Debian, then it is easier to configure Linux. The advanced routing protocol used by cumulus is Quagga, which is similar to OSPF and BGP protocols, Moreover, it offers, a Cisco-like interface.

So the bottom line is that, network admin who has Linux experience will be always be ahead of the network admin with No Linux experience. Later one, have to put in extra efforts to become accustomed with working of network device.

The entirely open framework of Cumulus Linux has made it possible to develop a custom command-line interface. Cumulus Download software can be used to manipulate various networking switches. Linux has simplified the networking complexities, now CLI could be as simple as a Python tool, or any other programming framework.
Understanding the Hardware Part of Cumulus Defined Networking Switches:

Configuration of switch is handled entirely within Linux. Therefore, the kernel itself is not directly involved in packet switching and routing. As a substitute, Cumulus has enabled a translation service called switched. This has helped to communicate between the network configurations. It has made the changes in Linux to the hardware Ethernet controllers.

Linux layer as a template for applied the hardware:
It runs as a daemon tool on the switch. The switched monitors the communication channels and configuration changes in any part of the network stack. This includes adding a port, configuring a firewall and most essentially adding the IP address. Whenever switchd network detects a change, it configures the Ethernet controllers to match. This is how, a cumulus Linux layer act as a template for applied networking hardware.

Similarly, the other data coming from the physical ports are communicated back up through the Linux layer. Thus, by Cumulus Download, the Linux interface acts as inspection commands. This is the essence of Cumulus Linux. From the operator's standpoint, it’s merely Linux.

Booting and configuration in Cumulus Linux
When you install a new switch the first task performed is to boot it with the operating system. The Cumulus utilizes the ONIE (Open Network Install Environment) software. Once the operating system is loaded, it starts running the initial boot automation trial. This script has the ability to perform any kind of configuration tasks. The configuration includes installing custom packages, data center clients for Puppet and adding local APT sources.

Bottom Line:
The brilliance of Cumulus Linux is in its simplicity as it is the standard Linux software. It makes use of commodity hardware switches. It can be scripted, adjusted, adapted, and customized according to the administrator’s requirements. The Cumulus Linux offers a combination of flexibility, compatibility, and ease of use that has redefined the traditional networking approach.