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5 Myths About SONiC NOS

March 13, 2025

The rise of SONiC (Software for Open Networking in the Cloud) has disrupted the traditional networking industry, offering enterprises a vendor-agnostic, open-source alternative to proprietary NOS solutions. But with disruption comes misconceptions, and SONiC is no exception.

Let’s debunk the top five myths about SONiC NOS and set the record straight.

Myth #1: SONiC is Only for Hyperscalers

Reality: SONiC is Ready for Enterprises, AI Workloads, and Beyond

While hyperscalers like Microsoft pioneered SONiC, it’s no longer just for the tech giants. Enterprises across healthcare, retail, finance, and AI-driven data centers are deploying SONiC to cut costs, increase flexibility, and escape vendor lock-in.

👉 2025 PlugFest validated SONiC for enterprise-grade use cases, including Layer 2 networking, AI fabric, and PoE-enabled whitebox switches—proving its viability beyond hyperscalers.

Want to hear real-world enterprise SONiC success stories?

Join us for a compelling SDxCentral panel discussion featuring insights from our customers, Techevolution and 1984, alongside our partner, EPS Global. Explore how SONiC is transforming enterprise networking with unparalleled flexibility and efficiency.

Myth #2: SONiC is Difficult to Deploy

Reality: SONiC Adoption is Faster and Easier Than Ever

There’s a misconception that SONiC requires deep coding skills or hyperscaler-level engineering resources. That was true in its early days, but today, we have 1-click SONiC fabric deployment and  enterprise-ready SONiC solutions come with automation, APIs, and user-friendly management tools.

💡 One-click SONiC migration guides and vendor support services have made the transition seamless—offering enterprises the same ease of deployment as traditional NOS solutions.

Myth #3: SONiC Lacks Vendor Support

Reality: A Thriving Ecosystem Backs SONiC

Some believe that using an open-source NOS means you’re on your own. That couldn’t be further from the truth. The SONiC ecosystem includes major vendors like Cisco, NVIDIA, Celestica, Edgecore, and Wistron, offering hardware compatibility, support services, and enterprise-ready integrations.

Aviz Networks is actively enabling SONiC interoperability and provide full-stack support, automation, and performance optimizations—ensuring enterprises get the help they need.

Myth #4: SONiC is Not Cost-Effective

Reality: SONiC Delivers Up to 40% TCO Savings

Proprietary NOS vendors often claim that SONiC isn’t cost-effective when factoring in hardware, support, and integration costs. But PlugFest’s TCO analysis tells a different story:

  • Up to 40% lower TCO compared to proprietary NOS solutions
  • No NOS licensing costs – reducing OpEx significantly
  • Multi-vendor flexibility eliminates hardware markups and vendor lock-in

💰 Bottom line? SONiC saves enterprises millions while providing scalability for AI-driven workloads.

Myth #5: SONiC is Just a Trend—It Won’t Last

Reality: SONiC is the Future of Open Networking

Some skeptics believe SONiC is just another open-source experiment that will fade away. The reality? SONiC adoption is accelerating, with major enterprises, cloud providers, and AI data centers making it their NOS of choice.

With strong backing from industry leaders, ongoing community development, and real-world deployments, SONiC is shaping the future of open networking, AI infrastructure, and multi-vendor interoperability.

The Verdict: SONiC is Ready for Prime Time

SONiC NOS has matured beyond its hyperscaler origins into a battle-tested, cost-efficient, and enterprise-ready solution. As the 2025 PlugFest demonstrated, the myths surrounding SONiC are outdated, and the reality is clear:

  • Enterprise adoption is growing
  • Deployment is easier than ever
  • strong vendor ecosystem is supporting SONiC
  • TCO savings make it a smarter investment
  • Open networking is the future, and SONiC is leading the way

Frequently Asked Questions:

1. Is SONiC only suitable for hyperscalers like Microsoft?

No. While Microsoft pioneered SONiC, enterprises across industries such as healthcare, finance, retail, and AI-driven data centers are actively deploying it. The 2025 PlugFest validated SONiC for enterprise-grade use cases, including Layer 2 networking, AI fabric, and PoE-enabled whitebox switches, proving its viability beyond hyperscalers.

2. Is deploying SONiC difficult?

Not anymore. Early versions of SONiC required deep coding expertise, but today, automation and enterprise-ready solutions have simplified deployment. One-click SONiC migration guides and vendor support services ensure a seamless transition, offering the same ease of deployment as traditional NOS solutions.

3. Does SONiC lack vendor support?

No. The SONiC ecosystem is backed by major vendors, including Cisco, NVIDIA, Celestica, Edgecore, and Wistron. Aviz Networks provides full-stack SONiC support, automation, and performance optimization, ensuring enterprises have access to the help they need for successful adoption.

4. Is SONiC cost-effective compared to proprietary NOS solutions?

Yes. According to PlugFest’s TCO analysis, SONiC delivers up to 40% lower total cost of ownership (TCO) compared to proprietary NOS solutions. By eliminating NOS licensing costs, reducing OpEx, and providing multi-vendor flexibility, SONiC enables enterprises to save millions while ensuring scalability for AI-driven workloads.

5. Is SONiC just a passing trend?

No. SONiC is shaping the future of open networking. With increasing adoption by major enterprises, cloud providers, and AI data centers, SONiC is here to stay. Its strong backing from industry leaders and ongoing community development ensure long-term viability and continuous innovation.

6. How can enterprises migrate to SONiC?

Enterprises can transition to SONiC using migration guides, vendor-supported deployment tools, and automation frameworks. With one-click SONiC fabric deployment and extensive documentation, the migration process is streamlined for efficiency and minimal disruption.

7. What are the key benefits of adopting SONiC?

  • Vendor independence and flexibility
  • Lower TCO with no licensing costs
  • Enterprise-grade features and security
  • Strong industry support and ecosystem
  • Future-proof networking for AI and cloud workloads

8. Where can I learn more about real-world SONiC deployments?

Are you ready to break free from vendor lock-in and embrace open networking?
Learn More About SONiC and Migration Paths here.

Are you ready to break free from vendor lock-in and embrace open networking? Learn more about SONiC’s capabilities, migration paths, and real-world deployments
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Ilona Gabinsky

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5 Myths About SONiC NOS

The rise of SONiC (Software for Open Networking in the Cloud) has disrupted the traditional networking industry, offering enterprises a vendor-agnostic, open-source alternative to proprietary NOS solutions. But with disruption comes misconceptions, and SONiC is no exception. Let’s debunk the top five myths about SONiC NOS and set the record straight. Myth #1: SONiC is […]