This post is about the onePK software architecture, and how it allows us to consistently expose network operating system (NOS) features to a wide variety of programming environments for IOS, IOS-XE, IOS-XR and NXOS.

For an overview of onePK in general, and some more context, see my October 2012 post and my slides in Slideshare.

The main elements of the onePK software architecture are illustrated Read More »

Tags: active network abstraction, API, IOS, IOS XE, IOS XR, NX-OS, onePK

How do you take the most widely deployed modular switch in the industry, and make it better?  With more than 650,000 chassis deployed, how do you protect your customers’ investments in their existing platform while offering a seamless path to deploy new components without forcing “fork-lift” upgrades?

On October 5^th, Cisco announced a complete refresh of the Catalyst 4500 series platform, the most widely deployed modular platform in the industry, with new supervisor engine, line cards and operating system.  We gave it 2.6x more bandwidth, and the highest PoEP port density of any access switch in the industry.  Catalyst 4500E comes with an open and modular operating system, IOS XE that is capable of running 3^rd party services.  The new system is highly available with features such as sub 10 millisecond In Service Software Upgrades.  Flexible NetFlow brings unprecedented application visibility.  Catalyst 4500E ships with a single universal software image – one image for LAN Base, IP Base and Enterprise Services that is managed by software licensing application.  Customers can also introduce new line cards without upgrading the OS.  We designed Catalyst 4500E for the future while providing support for the past by making the new components compatible with existing chassis.  In fact, Catalyst 4500 platform offers the longest investment protection of any modular access switch in the industry with more than 10 years of backward compatibility. 

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Tags: Borderless Networks, Catalyst 4500 series platform, Cisco EnergyWise, Cisco TrustSec, Flexible NetFlow, IOS XE, medianet