Tail-f Systems has announced the availability of ConfD on-device management software for MontaVista Linux. ConfD includes all necessary management agents, such as NETCONF/XML, CLI, Web Interface and SNMP, all with shared AAA functionality and embedded configuration storage to manage carrier-grade network equipment.

Network and service providers hoping to automate the configuration of switches, routers and other network devices have had to deal with conventional technologies that are complex to use due to a lack of standards. CLI (Command Line Interface) for configuration requires vendor-specific scripts to be developed and maintained, while SNMP is rarely used for configuration.

The NETCONF protocol provides an XML-based programming interface for automated configuration management. NETCONF, standardized by the IETF, supports mechanisms to install, manipulate, and delete the configuration of network devices.

“Standardisation in network equipment is trending towards the Linux operating system on the software side, with great interest in AdvancedTCA and MicroTCA on the hardware side,” said Håkan Millroth, CEO at Tail-f Systems. “By integrating ConfD with MontaVista Linux, we provide our customers a pre-integrated production-ready on-device management solution that significantly reduces the cost and risk when compared to developing in-house solutions.”

“MontaVista Linux Carrier Grade Edition (CGE) is widely deployed by leading telecom and datacom equipment manufacturers” said Dan Cauchy, director, product management, MontaVista Software. “Tail-f Systems’ integration of ConfD with our Carrier Grade Edition means that the latest network management software can easily be used by our customers.”