Standard White Boxes

Simplifying network infrastructure with open, standard white boxes from multiple ODM vendors

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Standard Networking White Boxes

DriveNets Network Cloud solution utilizes standard networking white boxes, interconnected to form clusters of varying sizes and capacities, compliant with OCP (DDC) and TIP (DDBR) specifications.

As part of the DriveNets open ecosystem, multiple certified ODM vendors provide white boxes equipped with high-performance merchant silicon—such as the Broadcom Jericho family or other ASIC vendors—offering high port density (1G–800G).

Each Network Cloud cluster consists of only two types of white boxes: the NCP (Network Cloud Packet Forwarder), equivalent to a line card, and the NCF (Network Cloud Fabric), equivalent to a fabric card. This streamlined approach simplifies network architecture, supply chain management, and maintenance procedures.

The white box infrastructure provides:

  • Elastic scale out: granularity from 2.4Tbps – 921Tbps, with no forklift upgrade
  • Open mix and match: customizable standalone and clusters per network location – capacity, ODM vendors, ASIC vendors
  • Carrier-grade performance – high availability, reliability and security with simplified hardware results in smaller blast radius
  • Automated operations: Zero touch provisioning (ZTP) and automated operations

 

white box cluster

White box infrastructure: Just two building blocks

DriveNets Network Cloud runs on standard networking white boxes from a range of original design manufacturers (ODMs). This approach streamlines inventory management and lowers OPEX by using the same hardware across the entire network—from core to edge.

White box vendors can be chosen independently of the Network Operating System (NOS), eliminating vendor lock-in, reducing costs, and enabling seamless network expansion by adding white boxes as needed.

No more vendor lock-in

Breaks vendor lock with wide flexibility in vendor choice and procurement models


High-scale & carrier-grade

Powers Network Cloud’s carrier-grade scale from
2.4Tbps - 921Tbps

Simplified infrastructure

Simplifies network infrastructure, inventory management and network operations


White Box Features & Benefits

Standard open design

  • Inherent support for any OCP-compliant, current and future system

Rich Ecosystem

  • Implementation by leading industry ODM vendors
  • Vendors certified by DriveNets

Merchant silicon

  • The most robust forwarding plane built from industry-leading ASIC platforms
  • Cutting edge capacity and feature set

Ultimate vendor variety  

  • Increased vendor choice with DriveNets’ guaranteed of end-to-end Network Cloud performance

Flexible procurement models 

  • Direct purchasing from the ODM vendor
  • Acquisition through a Value Added Reseller (VAR)

Distributed virtual chassis architecture 

  • From 2.4Tbps (standalone) to 921Tbps (cluster)
  • Distributed power
  • Distributed port density
  • 100m cluster connectivity radius

Carrier grade

  • NEBS compliant devices
  • Simplified hardware, smaller blast radius

Scales from a resource-efficient single box to the largest working cluster in the market

Trusted platform from day one

  • Secure
  • Resilient infrastructure
  • Adapted to service provider needs and constraints

Two box types across the entire network infrastructure

  • NCP as packet forwarding box
  • NCF as fabric box

Automated operation 

  • Zero-touch provisioning (ZTP)
  • Auto detection
  • Service activation via central orchestrator (DNOR)

Simple architecture, planning and deployment

  • Petabit scalability in a single cluster – no more CLOS limitations
  • Easily meet power envelope constraints
  • Simple site design planning and installation

Inventory management

  • Simple spare part and inventory management
  • Shared devices between different sites and use cases

Simple operational skill set

  • Easier training process
  • Minimized human error
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