Calix Debuts Access Network SDN OS

Calix (NYSE:CALX) announced AXOS, or Access eXtensible Operating System, a Linux-based network operating system and software platform built specifically for the access network. The hardware independent system is designed to allow for "software defined access," where all software functions in the access network can be developed and run without relying on the underlying hardware and associated silicon chipsets. It also features an always-on architecture and provisioning services.

Other platform features include:

• Modular, reusable software components with the ability to run on technologically diverse hardware without modification
• In-service upgrade capabilities and built-in logic to reduce service disruptions, constrain and automatically recover from faults, and prevent side effects caused by new software functions or human error
• Open, standards-based, programmable management and control APIs to reduce operational complexity, enable automated workflows, and provide compatibility with SDN-aligned operational support systems (OSSs) for interoperability

Within AXOS, containerized software components ride on top of a hardware abstraction layer to preserve software independence from the underlying hardware. Independent software components can be inserted unmodified into any access network location. AXOS software components also support virtualized operation of management and control functions.

All components and operational functions use standard NETCONF protocol and YANG data models for interoperability with open SDN orchestration and control frameworks. Open, published APIs also allow customers to directly program network applications and services.