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Network Operating Systems

A curated index of 20 network operating systems — vendor NOS, open and disaggregated platforms, and open-source projects for data centers, carrier networks, edge and white-box hardware.

20 NOS platforms•3 categories•Updated October 2026

Vendor Network Operating Systems

7 entries

Network operating systems from the major switch, router and data-center vendors.

01Arista EOS (Extensible Operating System)The core of Arista cloud networking solutions for next-generation data centers and cloud networks, delivering a programmable, open network management experience. 02Cisco IOS XRDelivers greater modularity, a simplified networking stack, and cloud-enhanced automation for improved network programmability across service provider infrastructure. 03Cisco NX-OSCisco's Linux-based network operating system for data center switches, supporting VXLAN EVPN fabrics, programmability and automation through open APIs. 04Juniper Junos OSRuns across all Juniper routing, switching, and security infrastructure as well as whitebox hardware, delivering a consistent end-to-end network operating experience. Juniper is now part of HPE, which completed its acquisition on 2 July 2025. 05Nokia SR LinuxA truly open network operating system that makes data center switching infrastructure more scalable, more flexible, and simpler to operate at scale. 06HPE Aruba AOS-CXA modern, programmable network operating system with a database-centric design and built-in analytics, running on HPE Aruba Networking CX switches in campus and data center networks. 07ExtremeXOSExtreme Networks' modular switch operating system, providing a resilient, programmable foundation for campus and data center Ethernet switching.

Open & Disaggregated NOS Platforms

7 entries

Commercial network operating systems that run on open, white-box networking hardware.

08NVIDIA Cumulus LinuxAn open NOS architecture built for easy implementation, management, customization, and scalability across modern data center ethernet switching environments. 09IP Infusion OcNOSA fully-featured Network Operating System that runs on any open networking hardware — enabling flexible, disaggregated white-box network deployments. 10ArcOSThe industry's first internet-scale, independent network operating system — built for carrier-grade performance and scalability at cloud scale. 11DriveNets DNOSA cloud-native, distributed networking software built on containerized microservices, creating a unified shared infrastructure over a disaggregated architecture. 12ExaNOSThe next-generation Network Operating System powering the transition to open and disaggregated networks with programmable, high-performance data planes. 13NiralOSAn open, disaggregated, and cloud-native Network Operating System designed for private network and edge infrastructure deployments. 14NoviWare NOSThe networking industry's highest-performance SDN implementation, featuring open and programmable match-action pipelines for advanced, flexible flow control.

Open-Source Network Operating Systems

6 entries

Community-driven network operating systems and the routing stacks that underpin them.

15SONiCSoftware for Open Networking in the Cloud, an open-source, Linux-based network operating system that began at Microsoft and now runs on switches from many vendors. 16VyOSAn open-source network operating system that dramatically changes how networks are accessed — enabling flexible, unrestricted, cost-effective networking without vendor lock-in. 17DANOSA unified Network Operating System driving innovation across the networking stack — enabling agility and openness in both carrier and enterprise environments. 18Open Network Linux (ONL)An open-source foundational platform software layer for next-generation, modular NOS architecture on open networking hardware. 19FRRoutingAn open-source Internet routing protocol suite for Linux and Unix platforms, implementing BGP, OSPF, IS-IS and more, and widely used as the routing stack in open network operating systems. 20DENTA Linux Foundation project building an open, Linux-based network operating system for enterprise and edge switches and routers.

Frequently Asked Questions

What is a network operating system (NOS)?

A network operating system is the software that runs on a switch or router. It manages the hardware, implements routing and switching protocols, and exposes configuration, telemetry and automation interfaces such as CLI, NETCONF and REST APIs.

What is a disaggregated network operating system?

In a disaggregated design the NOS is decoupled from the switch hardware, so the same software, such as SONiC, Cumulus Linux or OcNOS, can run on white-box or brite-box switches from different manufacturers. This lets organizations choose hardware and software independently.

What is SONiC?

SONiC, Software for Open Networking in the Cloud, is an open-source, Linux-based network operating system that originated at Microsoft. It uses a container-based architecture and is supported on switches from many hardware vendors.