Click here to learn
about this Sponsor:
Home  |  News  |  Articles  |  Polls  |  Forum

Keywords: Match:
Industry group formed around open source HA middleware
Jan. 22, 2008

An open industry forum has been created to maintain and promote an open source (LGPL v2.1) implmentation of Service Availability Forum high-availability middleware specifications. Founded by Emerson Network Power (ENP), Ericsson, HP, Nokia Siemens Networks, and Sun Microsystems, the OpenSAF Foundation aims to standardize high-availability middleware for Linux-based carrier-grade systems.

The new OpenSAF Foundation will serve as the formal maintainer and promoter of OpenSAF software, which was previously developed by an "informal group of supporters," according to the OpenSAF project website. The OpenSAF project was launched in mid-2007, with the release of OpenSAF 1.0 code by Motorola's Embedded Communications Computing Group (ECC). Subsequently, Motorola ECC was acquired by Emerson Network Power last week.

In addition to supporting select SAForum specs, the OpenSAF project is also aligned with the requirements of the Scope Alliance, it says. Formed by Alcatel, Ericsson, Motorola, NEC, Nokia, and Siemens, Scope aims to promote the interoperability of COTS (commercial off-the-shelf) hardware and software for infrastructure equipment.


OpenSAF architecture

OpenSAF is intended to conserve engineering resources for NEPs (network equipment providers) and other companies requiring high availability, says the Foundation. It is also intended to act as a benchmark for developing highly available applications. OpenSAF middleware is now established under the LGPLv2.1 license (Library/Lesser GNU Public License).


Application Interface Specification
(Click to enlarge)

OpenSAF 1.0 includes an implementation of Application Interface Specification (AIS), the SAForum spec that defines how high-availability middleware communicates with service applications (see diagram above). Designed initially for paired 32-bit PowerPC or x86 PCs with dual Ethernet cards, OpenSAF 1.0 runs on top of an OS portability layer called "LEAP" (layered environment for accelerated portability), which is currently implemented for Red Hat Enterprise Linux 4.0, and MontaVista Linux Carrier Grade Edition 4.0.

Stated Stephan Scholz, CTO at Nokia Siemens Networks. "As a founder of Service Availability Forum and the Scope Alliance, we view the OpenSAF Foundation as an extension of our ongoing efforts not only to accelerate the deployment of carrier-grade base platforms but also to advocate the availability and implementation of an open source operating environment."

Stated Christine Martino, HP's VP, Telecom Platforms, "We see customer demand growing significantly for open, standards-based solutions in the telecommunications industry. Our recent efforts to bring the latest in blade server innovation to the telecom market demonstrate HP's leadership and commitment to carrier-grade Linux advancement, and we will continue to drive and support carrier-grade Linux and OpenSAF on HP platforms moving forward."

In June, GoAhead announced what it called the "first usable" AIS implementation, SAFire 2.0.



Related Stories:


(Click here for further information)


FUEL Database on MontaVista Linux
Whether building a mobile handset, a car navigation system, a package tracking device, or a home entertainment console, developers need capable software systems, including an operating system, development tools, and supporting libraries, to gain maximum benefit from their hardware platform and to meet aggressive time-to-market goals.

Breaking New Ground: The Evolution of Linux Clustering
With a platform comprising a complete Linux distribution, enhanced for clustering, and tailored for HPC, Penguin Computing¿s Scyld Software provides the building blocks for organizations from enterprises to workgroups to deploy, manage, and maintain Linux clusters, regardless of their size.

Data Monitoring with NightStar LX
Unlike ordinary debuggers, NightStar LX doesn¿t leave you stranded in the dark. It¿s more than just a debugger, it¿s a whole suite of integrated diagnostic tools designed for time-critical Linux applications to reduce test time, increase productivity and lower costs. You can debug, monitor, analyze and tune with minimal intrusion, so you see real execution behavior. And that¿s positively illuminating.

Virtualizing Service Provider Networks with Vyatta
This paper highlights Vyatta's unique ability to virtualize networking functions using Vyatta's secure routing software in service provider environments.

High Availability Messaging Solution Using AXIGEN, Heartbeat and DRBD
This white paper discusses a high-availability messaging solution relying on the AXIGEN Mail Server, Heartbeat and DRBD. Solution architecture and implementation, as well as benefits of using AXIGEN for this setup are all presented in detail.

Understanding the Financial Benefits of Open Source
Will open source pay off? Open source is becoming standard within enterprises, often because of cost savings. Find out how much of a financial impact it can have on your organization. Get this methodology and calculator now, compliments of JBoss.

Embedded Hardware and OS Technology Empower PC-Based Platforms
The modern embedded computer is the jack of all trades appearing in many forms.

Data Management for Real-Time Distributed Systems
This paper provides an overview of the network-centric computing model, data distribution services, and distributed data management. It then describes how the SkyBoard integration and synchronization service, coupled with an implementation of the OMG¿s Data Distribution Service (DDS) standard, can be used to create an efficient data distribution, storage, and retrieval system.

7 Advantages of D2D Backup
For decades, tape has been the backup medium of choice. But, now, disk-to-disk (D2D) backup is gaining in favor. Learn why you should make the move in this whitepaper.

 


Got a HOT tip?   please tell us!
Free weekly newsletter
Enter your email...
Click here for a profile of each sponsor:
PLATINUM SPONSORS
(Become a sponsor)

ADVERTISEMENT
(Advertise here)

Check out the latest Linux powered...

Mobile phones!

MIDs, UMPCs
& tablets

Mobile devices

Other cool
gadgets



BREAKING NEWS

• iPhones to xhost Linux apps
• Tactical Linux computer muscles up
• Virtualization technology targets multi-core ARM
• Die-shrunk x86 SoC draws 2 Watts at 1GHz
• Webinars explore RTOS-to-Linux driver migration
• Open phone goes robotic
• MontaVista touts Android readiness
• USB Linux key targets netbooks
• Via panel PC resists shock, liquids
• Linux provider touts support award
• World's smallest humanoid robot can run Linux
• Linux connects TVs to 'Net video
• Mot camera-phone runs widgets
• Linux-ready MILS kernel gains POSIX
• Multimedia processor plays H.264 video


Most popular stories -- past 90 days:
• Open source phone goes mass-market
• Tinest Linux system, yet?
• Garmin Nav devices run Gnome Linux
• ARM9 board boots Debian in 0.69 seconds
• Low-cost laptop runs Linpus Linux
• Linux-friendly Beagle fetches $150
• Mini Linux PC breaks $100 barrier
• Open source camera records geotagged video to SATA HDD
• Open set-top box ships
• First $100 laptop runs Linux


DesktopLinux headlines:
• "Moonlight" ready to shine
• Adobe unleashes 64-bit Flash
• Debian Lenny installer arrives
• Ubuntu announces ARM port
• Amazon offers Linux XOs
• Windows 7 "no threat" to netbook Linux
• Creative frees Sound Blaster driver code
• Linux, netbooks threaten Microsoft's fat profits
• Ibex inspires GNOME switch
• Linux to outship Windows in 2009?


Also visit our sister site:


Sign up for LinuxDevices.com's...

news feed

Home  |  News  |  Articles  |  Polls  |  Forum  |  About  |  Contact
 

Ziff Davis Enterprise Home | Contact Us | Advertise | Link to Us | Reprints | Magazine Subscriptions | Newsletters
Tech RSS Feeds | White Papers | ROI Calculators | Tech Podcasts | Tech Video | VARs | Channel News

Baseline | Careers | Channel Insider | CIO Insight | DesktopLinux | DeviceForge | DevSource | eSeminars |
eWEEK | Enterprise Network Security | LinuxDevices | Linux Watch | Microsoft Watch | Mid-market | Networking | PDF Zone |
Publish | Security IT Hub | Strategic Partner | Web Buyer's Guide | Windows for Devices

Developer Shed | Dev Shed | ASP Free | Dev Articles | Dev Hardware | SEO Chat | Tutorialized | Scripts |
Code Walkers | Web Hosters | Dev Mechanic | Dev Archives | igrep

Use of this site is governed by our Terms of Service and Privacy Policy. Except where otherwise specified, the contents of this site are copyright © 1999-2008 Ziff Davis Enterprise Holdings Inc. All Rights Reserved. Reproduction in whole or in part in any form or medium without express written permission of Ziff Davis Enterprise is prohibited. Linux is a registered trademark of Linus Torvalds. All other marks are the property of their respective owners.