In an era where digital connectivity forms the backbone of both local economies and global networks, cities and service providers are continuously seeking technological advancements to meet the rapidly growing demands of their users. The recent announcement from IP Infusion, a market leader in carrier-grade networking software systems, about Citynet’s upgrade in Hall in Tirol, Austria, marks a significant milestone in the journey towards more efficient and scalable digital infrastructures.

Citynet, the IT brand of Hall AG, stands as a central municipal services provider in the quaint, historic town of Hall in Tirol. It currently caters to a customer base of 5,000, offering a suite of reliable networking and connectivity solutions not just locally, but also to regional and international businesses. The demand for bandwidth is a relentless challenge for service providers worldwide, driven by factors such as the surge in remote work, streaming services, and the Internet of Things (IoT). For Citynet, upgrading their existing network infrastructure became imperative to continue providing top-notch services.

Traditionally, network upgrades in such contexts involved opting for solutions from the same vendor to avoid compatibility issues and leverage existing relationships. However, Citynet’s transition from its Cisco backbone network to deploying IP Infusion’s OcNOS on Edgecore Networks hardware, facilitated by STORDIS Gmbh, highlights a growing trend in the networking industry: the shift towards open networking solutions.

Open networking essentially refers to the decoupling of hardware and software in network equipment, allowing for hardware from different manufacturers to run networking software from different vendors. This approach offers flexibility, cost-efficiency, and innovation, as it not only lowers the total cost of ownership but also encourages competition and collaboration in the industry.

IP Infusion’s OcNOS (Open Compute Network Operating System) represents a pivotal advancement in this field. Described as offering extensive features and a compelling product roadmap, OcNOS serves as a modern network platform that satisfies the demands of backbone networking all the way to the network edge.

This upgrade project in Hall in Tirol, significantly facilitated by IP Infusion’s industry-standard Command Line Interface (CLI) and robust after-sales support, stands as a testament to the feasibility and benefits of open networking even in critical infrastructure like municipal services. Matthias Feistmantl, a Senior Network Operations Engineer and Architect for Citynet, highlighted the ease of transition and the immediate hardware availability as key factors that mitigated potential challenges posed by the global pandemic and the pressing hardware shortages in the market.

As cities and service providers worldwide grapple with similar challenges of expanding their networks to meet escalating demands, the successful deployment of open networking solutions, such as that by Citynet, becomes an illuminating example. It not only underlines the potential for increased efficiency and scalability but also suggests a paradigm shift in how network infrastructures might be designed and upgraded in the future.

For IP Infusion, this project represents another feather in their cap, showcasing their capability to deliver reliable, scalable, and cost-effective networking solutions. With a strong foothold in the industry and a vision for the future, IP Infusion continues to contribute significantly to the evolving digital landscape, paving the way for more interconnected and resilient networks across the globe.