Cumulus Linux

Cumulus Linux is a fast, easy to use, affordable and full-featured Linux kernel-based operating system designed for networking hardware. It is derived from the highly-acclaimed Debian GNU/Linux distribution and created by a company that makes networks invisible for Internet scale applications.

Features at a glance

Among the key functionality of the Cumulus Linux operating system, we can mention rich data center networking solutions, rich open source and commercial applications ecosystem, large scale orchestration and automation, efficient troubleshooting and monitoring, rich hardware ecosystem, as well as support for managing switches like servers.

This Debian-based operating system is crafted to perfection for high capacity fabrics, and providing unprecedented price-performance, rapid innovation, simplified network automation, flexible solutions, consistent utilities for networks, lower CAPEX and OPEX, break-free from vendor lock-in, largest ecosystem of Linux apps.

It’s easily deployable

Another interesting feature is the automated provisioning functionality, supporting ONIE (Open Network Install Environment) and Zero-Touch Provisioning, allowing you to easily deploy Cumulus. In addition simplicity, flexibility and interoperability is offer to enterprises and commercial customers via L3 Clos Fabric.

For cloud and service providers, Cumulus Linux provides a wide range of automation, risk management and rapid deployment tools, which allows them to innovate and do things that they couldn’t even dreamed about.

Availability and pricing

Cumulus Linux is a commercial product, which means that it can only be downloaded as an evaluation version, allowing users to test the product for a limited period of time. Unfortunately, it it pretty hard to obtain an evaluation version, as the project requires your to register a free account get in line, as there are a large number of evaluation requests daily.

Pricing starts from 499 USD (394 EUR) for Cumulus Linux designed for 1G switch with 1 year software updates and standard support. More details can be found on the project’s website (see link below).

What is new in this release:

• Trident II Support
• VXLAN Integration
• Enhanced Operational Model