The Open Source Development Lab (OSDL) this week announced availability of its blueprint for the next generation Carrier Grade Linux: “OSDL Carrier Grade Linux Requirements Definition version 2.0 (CGL 2.0).” OSDL says the CGL 2.0 requirements definition, which was developed with key contributions from leading Linux distribution companies, will offer major advances in security, high availability, and… clustering.

According to OSDL, the CGL 2.0 requirements definition defines more than 40 new and enhanced features to support Linux as a carrier grade platform. It is a significant advance on the first version of CGL originally published at LinuxWorld in San Francisco in August 2002, for which support has been announced by the industry's major Linux operating system vendors, including MontaVista, Red Hat, SuSE, and United Linux, the group says.

What's in the CGL 2.0 requirements definition?

OSDL's CGL 2.0 requirements definition is divided into three sections:

1. Clustering — covers early fault detection, failure confinement, fault localization, failure notification as well as logical model descriptions for distributed data access.
2. Security — includes requirements for minimized performance degradation and availability of Quality of Protection (QoP) options.
3. General systems — including hardware support, compatibility with other specifications such as Linux Standard Base (LSB), POSIX, Service Availability Forum (SAForum), HPI, tools such as kernel debuggers, and layered support for SNMP over IPv6.

OSDL says its CGL 2.0 requirements definition, available for free download from OSDL, is a public reference blueprint for Linux distributions, large end users or Linux kernel developers to build Linux kernel features and associated libraries that are required by telecommunication carriers in their next-generation infrastructure. The definition does not cover carrier applications, which are under development by commercial vendors and open source project members.

Commitment from major equipment providers

According to OSDL, some of the world's largest network equipment providers have made a commitment to deliver products incorporating the new CGL 2.0 requirements definition. Specifically, support was announced this week by Alcatel, Cisco, Ericsson, NEC, and Nokia.

“The next breakthrough market for Linux is in the telecommunications industry,” noted Stuart Cohen, CEO of OSDL. “The OSDL Carrier Grade Working Group continues to work closely with network operators, telecommunications equipment manufacturers and network equipment manufacturers to define requirements that will make Linux the standard operating system for telecommunication carriers. The OSDL CGL 2.0 definition puts Linux in the top tier of preferred operating platforms.”

“Alcatel builds carrier grade solutions for enterprise and telecom service providers. Linux is the most promising standard for operating systems and has a bright future to replace proprietary solutions,” commented Christof Ebert, director of Software Coordination. “Alcatel has contributed to the CGL 2.0 requirements definition, particularly on the clustering and security aspects. These requirements are a new step in strengthening Linux for use in our carrier class solutions.”

“Ericsson has actively contributed to the OSDL V 2.0 requirements for Carrier Grade Linux,” said Dr. Jan Uddenfeldt, CTO of Ericsson. “We are very committed to CGL as the basis for an open and robust operating system for telecom applications.”

“OSDL CGL 2.0 will enable the development of carrier-grade-quality mobile network systems within a shorter period of time,” said Yoshitake Matsuo, associate senior vice president and head of the Mobile Network Business unit at NEC. “NEC has already developed new packet core products, including SGSN/GGSN for 3G networks, using the new CGL-based communications platform. While paying close attention to feedback from the market, we will continue to work on the further development and upgrade of CGL.”

“At Nokia, we have long been committed to open standards for our network elements,” said Vesa Tykkylainen, vice president, Nokia Networks. “Our active support of OSDL's Carrier Grade Linux 2.0 requirements is consistent with our strategy to provide greater value to our customers and meet their carrier grade needs by using CGL with its high availability features.”

“MontaVista Software is very committed to the success of the OSDL Carrier Grade Linux Specification,” said James Ready, CEO and president, MontaVista Software. “The OSDL CGL 2.0 specification is a significant step forward in security and availability functionality, and MontaVista will continue to collaborate with OSDL members and the Open Source community to deliver a CGL 2.0 implementation that meets the needs of our global communication customers.”

 
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