Cumulus Linux

Cumulus Networks is transforming networking with the industry’s first, full-featured Linux operating system for networking hardware.

As application requirements continue to grow, businesses are looking for ways to scale data centers and provide more efficient automation of agile, resilient and fast networks in a cost-efficient manner.

An Open Approach with Cumulus Linux

Cumulus Linux is a software distribution that runs on top of industry standard networking hardware. It enables the latest Linux applications and automation tools on networking gear while delivering new levels of innovation and flexibility to the data center.

Effective January 1, 2015, Cumulus Networks is changing priclng model for Cumulus Linux by offering 24x7 support to all of its customers, and eliminating the need for customers to make a support level choice. Now price depends on only from platform (1G, 10G, 40G) and subscription term.

Additionally, Cumulus Networks is adding a 5-year subscription term, which is priced to reflect a 10% annual discount compared to the 1-year subscription price. 

You can find all new licences here:

- 1G licences,

- 10G licences,

- 40G licences.

Cumulus Linux 2.5.0 is a major product release that offers key feature sets for the mainstream enterprise, along with a set of pre-tested and pre-validated solutions, thoroughly documented in a series of validated design guides.

Specifically, it adds the following new functionality:

• MLAG – Active-active Layer 2 topologies with multi-Chassis Link Aggregation
• VRR – Active-active first hop redundancy protocol
• VLAN scale - New Linux 802.1Q bridge driver
• LACP bypass - Bypass LACP for scenarios such as PXE boot
• Routing enhancements - Scale, BGP dynamic neighbors, latest Quagga version

Additional details may be found by accessing the data sheet, hardware compatibility list, and validated design guides.

For a list of fixed and open issues or upgrade procedures, please read our release notes.

Hi all.

Good news everyone: now Cumulus Linux 2.5.1 is available.

This new Cumulus Linux release adds support for new platforms to hardware compatibility list (HCL):

• Now Cumulus officially support Quanta T3048-LY9 - switch, that bring high performance of Trident 2 to world of BASE-T connections. It have 48 10G BASE-T and 6 40G QSFP+ ports and provide easy way to mix existed old 1G devices simultaniosly with new 10G solutions without additional cost. Just reuse your existed cable structure with 10G performance.
• Another important thing is a support for Quanta T5032-LY6 with x86 CPU.

Read release notes for a list of fixed and open issues.

P.S. Don't forget about validated design guides for VMware vSphere, OpenStack and Hadoop - they are great!

P.P.S. What is the most important in this release - support for X86 CPU in all levels of Leaf-Spine topology.

Now you can build homogeneous environment with single Network OS image and deploy all the same apps on all switches.

No more PPC-X86 concerns!

Beside remote access to the lab, there is a new way to evaluate open networking world - Cumulus VX.

Now you can dive into the world of open networking, experiment and design deployment scenarios without hurting time to production and develop new applications without real hardware on site.

The most common question about Cumulus Linux license delivery is the schedule. Is it possible to deliver immediate, or next business day or whatever? Can we forward it without delays?

This is how the process looks like:

1. Cumulus Linux license belongs to the particular customer.

2. To issue license code, they need the following information:

a) Customer name.

b) End-user name, title, telephone number and email.

c) BMS hardware model.

d) Brief project description.

3. By SLA, Cumulus Networks have 48 hours to issue the license code.

4. The license code is delivered right to end-user email.

Due to this procedure, it's not possible to keep stock of CL licenses, it's not possible to deliver on immediate terms, there is no delay on our side.

Also, if you apply for Cumulus with wire payment method - we provide 20 days open account terms.

PS don't forget about time difference - Cumulus Networks location is in California.

12% off on all Cumulus Linux subscriptions till December 31 of 2015!

Enjoy :)

Hi all,

We are finalizing the business transition to Netberg, which acquire all operations recently and have multiple updates to share:

1. 100G part.

Major update so far - cost-effective 100G Aurora 720 switch, very close to 40G box price point and we expect it to be on par very soon. We are working on NOS compatibility and APD enablement.

Samples of Edge-Core AS7712-32X now available, Tomahawk box with X86 control plane and redundant PSU.

2. 1G part.

New 1G Edge-Core AS4610-54T/54P is a new word in bare metal switching. New price point for an L3 box with Broadcom Helix4 silicon, 48 1G Base-T, four 10G SFP+ and two 20G QSFP ports box is way lower than previous offers from anyone - just $1400!

The switch is compatible with Cumulus Linux and Pica8, check our compatibility guide. A unique feature is a PoE support in the 54P SKU, the first time in the open networking history.

3. New Cumulus Linux release - 2.5.5.

A couple of new features and Nutanix Prism integration as well as stability and robustness improvements. Check out the release notes.

Why?

• Align with industry standard – all OS’ sold this way.
• NOS is integral to the switch – customers expect to own it
• Reduce procurement/sales barrier – make things frictionless

It’s a major release with 100G support as well as new 10G Base-T models. At last, Quanta LY9 is not the only one copper platform available.

Two Mellanox models are on the list too, 40 and 100G boxes.

Software and feature enhancements released in Cumulus Linux 3.0 include:

• Virtual Routing and Forwarding (VRF): Provides customers with multi-tenancy and traffic isolation capabilities for layer 3 Clos topologies.
• Base foundation update: Cumulus Linux 3.0 is rebased on the latest Debian 8 release (Jessie) and an upgraded Linux 4.1 kernel, enabling customers to access all the benefits of upstream updates from the Linux ecosystem.
• Cumulus VX enhancements: Platform emulation, ONIE inclusion and releasing alongside Cumulus Linux make Cumulus VX a true learning and pre-production tool. 
• 2.5 Extended Support Release (ESR): Customers now have the option to choose between Cumulus Linux 2.5 ESR, a mature and stable release, and the new Cumulus Linux 3.0, with the latest features, for their environments. Cumulus Linux 2.5 ESR will be supported and maintained for three years.

Cumulus Linux 3.0 is available on x86 and ARM CPU architectures. Cumulus Linux 2.5 ESR supports x86, ARM and PowerPC architectures. 

For more information, please review the Cumulus Linux release notes to learn about all the improvements and new features in 3.0.