Massive open network merger helps Linux Foundation set up ONAP project

The merger of open source ECOMP with the Open Orchestrator Project (OPEN-O) has helped the Linux Foundation to establish its Open Network Automation Platform (ONAP). The new open source project encourages top carriers and vendors to offer automation, designing and orchestration, and manage services and virtual functions for end users.

Operators like AT&T, Bell Canada, China Mobile and China Telecom are working together with network leaders such as Cisco, Ericsson, GigaSpaces, Huawei, IBM, Intel, Nokia, Orange, Tech Mahindra, VMware and ZTE to make ONAP successful in the market. Also, technology companies including ARM, Canonical, Metaswitch and Raisecom, have joined the new project to develop the next-generation model of open source network technologies.

“We are excited to see the industry coalesce around ONAP with this unprecedented merger. Such a broad effort and investment will expedite our vision to deliver an open platform for network automation,” said Jim Zemlin, executive director, the Linux Foundation. The merger of ECOMP and OPEN-O to enable the ONAP project is considered “to create a harmonised and comprehensive framework” for virtual network functions. These functions would be utilised by software, networks, as well as IT and cloud providers and developers to advance the existing networking models and build new services.

The Linux Foundation is set to establish a governance and membership structure for ONAP, while a governing board has been planned to guide business decisions and align technical communities and members. “ONAP is a great opportunity for the industry to work together towards the goal of a new operational model that includes network-wide orchestration and automation,” said David Ward, CTO of engineering and chief architect, Cisco Systems.

ONAP will work in line with other open source network projects such as ODL, FD.io, PNDA and OPNFV. All these open source projects would ultimately help developers build new experiences for emerging technologies like Internet of Things (IoT) and the cloud.