This document introduces major new features enhancements supported with Cumulus Linux 2.1 and Cumulus Linux 2.2. A companion Cumulus Linux 2.2 presentation is also available.
Cumulus Linux 2.2 continues to enable the fast paced world of modern data centers while responding to customer demands for simplicity, scalability and choice. In particular, it delivers on a new hardware architecture, enterprise-centric operational efficiencies and flexible modern data center designs.
New Hardware
Cumulus Linux 2.2 brings the number of supported platforms on the Hardware Compatibility List (HCL) to 16 hardware platforms across 5 hardware partners and it brings the number of CPU architectures supported to two CPU architectures.
With the addition of x86 CPU support, customer benefit from simpler application development and application portability on Cumulus Linux as the network OS platform, and companies can build their tools for x86 architectures and leverage them seamlessly across the server and the network.
Furthermore, Cumulus Linux 2.2 brings support for the first 10G SFP+ Trident II platform, enabling VXLAN acceleration on a 10G platform and simplifying cabling operations overall for network virtualization-optimized 10G server deployment with reuse of existing 10G transceivers and cables.
|
Model |
Description |
Switch Silicon |
CPU type |
|
32 x 40G-QSFP+ |
Broadcom Trident II |
x86 |
|
|
48 x 10G-SFP+ and 6 x 40G-QSFP+ |
Broadcom Trident II |
x86 |
|
|
32 x 40G-QSFP+ |
Broadcom Trident II |
PowerPC |
For more information on specific platforms, check the respective hardware guides on the Hardware Compatibility List Webpage.
New Functionality
Cumulus Linux 2.2 improves operational efficiencies in response to enterprise demand for simplified and scalable networking devices configuration. In particular, the new interface configuration manager developed by Cumulus Networks, ifupdown2 provides a better Linux networking experience. Cumulus Networks continues to enhance the Prescriptive Topology Manager (PTM) to simplify operations workflow and reduce risk by prescribing how a network is supposed to operate. Bidirectional Forwarding Detection (BFD) is integral part of PTM now and provides a lightweight, consistent fast link failure detection mechanism for a number of upstream routing protocols (OSPF, BGP).
Cumulus Linux 2.2 is also bringing more flexibility for modern data center networking with a comprehensive suite of solutions for dual-attached servers (Host HA), from Layer 2 bonding (Host-MLAG) to Layer 3 ECMP (redistribute neighbor) options and an overlay solution for L2 cloud services on bare metal switches, Lightweight Network Virtualization (LNV).
|
Operational Efficiency Tool |
Description |
|
Simplified Interface Configuration: ifupdown2 |
Scalable and simplified interface configuration for networking devices:
|
|
Prescriptive Topology Manager (PTM) Enhancements |
PTM simplifies operations workflow and reduces risk by prescribing how a network is supposed to operate. With the latest enhancements, PTM now supports three parameter types in the topology file:
|
|
Bidirectional Forwarding Detection |
Bidirectional Forwarding Detection (BFD) is an integral part of PTM (PTM module) and provides a lightweight, consistent fast link failure detection mechanism for a number of upstream routing protocols (OSPF, BGP). Support is for IPv4, single hop. |
|
Routing table scale through the algorithmic LPM (ALPM) table |
Trident II platforms support 32K IPv4 prefixes and 16K IPv6 prefixes through the ALPM table |
|
File system for the hardware abstraction layer runtime information |
switchd exports a file system, enhances runtime monitoring, configuration and troubleshooting |
|
Modern Data Center Networking Functionality |
Description |
|
Host-MLAG |
Layer 2 bonding solution for dual attached servers (Host-MLAG). It is part of a larger suite of solutions for dual-attached servers, Host HA, that includes both L2 bonding and L3 ECMP solutions |
|
Lightweight Network Virtualization (LNV) - Experimental Only |
Lightweight overlay solution for L2 cloud services on bare metal switches:
|
For more information on specific features, check the Cumulus Linux datasheet.
New Solutions
Cumulus Linux now supports better network traffic visibility through sFlow with InMon’s open source Host sFlow agent and it integrates with MetaCloud to provide turnkey OpenStack infrastructure as a service (IaaS) with VXLAN networking support.
|
Solution |
Description |
|
Host sFlow agent |
Network traffic visibility through sFlow with InMon’s open source Host sFlow agent sFlow provides network visibility for:
|
|
MetaCloud |
Turnkey infrastructure as a service (IaaS) integration with MetaCloud OpenStack® private cloud |
For more information on specific solutions, check the Cumulus Networks Solutions Website.
Comments