Software for Open Networking in the Cloud or SONiC is a free and opensource network operating system based on Linux and developed by Microsoft and the Open Compute Project. Designed to meet the requirements of a cloud data centre, SONiC enables cloud operators to share the same software stack across hardware from different switch vendors.
Per the 650 Group report, SONiC Market Forecast 2020-2025, the worldwide market for SONiC in data centre switching will exceed $4 Billion in revenue by 2025. SONiC‘s role outside of hyperscalers will increase during the forecast period.
The SONiC market is very different for hardware and software, and vendors are looking to create a broader support ecosystem.
"Open Networking has always been a topic of interest in data centre networking. The trend started almost 20 years ago with OpenFlow and the interest in the broader ecosystem of emulating the rapid innovation in the cloud," said Alan Weckel, Technology Analyst at 650 Group.
"Most end-users expressed interest in being agile like a Hyperscaler, and SONiC is increasing in popularity to fulfil this role. SONiC finds its roots in the very early days of Open Networking," he concluded.
