Linux is achieving critical mass in a number of segments in the telecommunications market, particularly in telecom infrastructure equipment. Pointing toward an even more successful future, the Open Source Development Labs (OSDL) today released version 3.0 of the Carrier Grade Linux Requirements Definition (CGL 3.0) for developer evaluation.

The Carrier Grade Linux Requirements Definition is described as a public reference blueprint for Linux distributions, major end users, and Linux kernel developers to build Linux kernel features and associated libraries that are required by telecommunication carriers in their next-generation network infrastructure.

OSDL says that it expects CGL 3.0 to begin impacting telecommunications equipment during 2006. Consistent with that prediction, the Lab released its Carrier Grade Linux 2.0 requirements definition in October, 2003, and compatible Linux implementations began showing up approximately one year later.

“Linux is making huge advances in telecommunications,” said Stuart Cohen, CEO of OSDL, a global consortium of over 60 companies dedicated to accelerating the adoption of Linux. The reason is twofold, according to Lee Doyle, group vice president of Network Infrastructure for International Data Corp. “Carriers and network equipment providers are both increasingly looking at Linux solutions to reduce infrastructure costs and to rapidly deliver new applications in their telecommunications infrastructure,” he said.

Andy Wilson, business development manager of the Intel Open Source Technology Center and chairman of the OSDL Carrier Grade Linux Working Group, agrees. Linux is "a critical element of emerging modular telecommunications platforms, offering faster time to market and reduced cost,” he said.

CGL has successfully penetrated some of the world's leading telco carriers and equipment manufacturers, including Agilent UK, Alcatel, Cisco, Datang, Deutsch Telecom, Ericsson, Fujitsu, Huawei, Iskratel, Lucent, NEC, NTT, Nokia Networks, Samsung, and Siemens. Among the Linux companies that currently support CGL are Connectiva, MontaVista, Red Hat, Novell, TimeSys, Turbolinux, and Wind River.

CGL 3.0 is divided into six functional areas: high availability, serviceability, performance, clustering, standards and hardware. Said Wilson, “Carrier Grade Linux 3.0 sets a technology direction for Linux developers, equipment designers and distributors to collaborate on improved availability, performance and serviceability in future products.”

The OSDL CGL Requirements Definition is available free online from OSDL. The Lab is currently registering products that meet the CGL requirements specifications. Further information on registration is available here.

 
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