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1、Stephen D.Hendrick,The Linux Foundation Ranny Haiby,The Linux FoundationForeword by Arpit Joshipura,The Linux Foundation April 2025The 2025 Open Source Networking StudyThe Role and Value of Open Source in the Networking Industrys Software StackThe 2025 Open Source Networking StudyCopyright 2025 The

2、Linux Foundation|April 2025.This report is licensed under the Creative Commons Attribution-NoDerivatives 4.0 International Public License.Please cite this research report when using these infographics.See citation guidance on the reports back page.63%of respondentsuse and contributeto OSS,35%only us

3、e,and just 2%have no OSS involvement.92%of organizations believe that OSS projects are important to the future of their organization.94%of orgs see an open source foundations support of projects as important,very important,or extremely important.83%of organizations see the business value derived fro

4、m OSS as high or very high.73%of organization workloads leverage cloud native networking,listing automation,orchestration,scalability,and resilience as top benefits.Organizations are evenly distributed between those whose workloads are just beginning to use cloud native networks(41%)and those where

5、much or nearly all of their workload is cloud native(41%).The main barriers to adopting OSS in networking include the skills gap(38%),security and compliance concerns(37%),and licensing and legal risk(35%).85%of respondents believe that OSS organizations should focus on Super Blueprints,as they prov

6、ide adaptable solutions that cater to the evolving demands of modern networks.OpenRAN functions are currently modest at single-digit deployment,but this is predicted to double in 2025 and double again in 2026&2027.The top reasons for accelerating networking AI adoption are the availability of high q

7、uality datasets(56%)and frameworks for AI application development(29%).Network automation&orchestration(57%),security&threat detection(50%),and predictive maintenance(41%)are the leading AI applications being evaluated or deployed.74%of organizations prefer open source as the foundation for AI netwo

8、rk development.Table of ContentsExecutive Summary 05Introduction 07About the respondents and organizations who answered this survey 08The importance and value of open source to organizations 09Organizational adoption of cloud native networking 11Reasons for collaborating with the open source communi

9、ty to achieve technology goals 13The top three open networking capabilities 15Organizations challenges in adopting cloud native networking 17Barriers to adopting more OSS 19Barriers to organizations that have not started or are just beginning cloud native networking 21Barriers to organizations where

10、 some cloud native networking is complete 21Barriers to organizations where nearly all cloud native networking is complete 22Should open source organizations focus on end-to-end Super Blueprints?23The importance of open source in OpenRAN integration 25Primary reasons for adopting OpenRAN technologie

11、s 27Organizations plans for deploying OpenRAN,which indicate strong growth through 2027 29AI use cases for supporting open networking 31Approaches to develop networking-focused AI applications 33AI foundational capabilities necessary to accelerate the development of open networking frameworks and ap

12、plications 34Conclusions 36Methodology 37DataWorld access 38Survey design 38Survey demographics 39About the Authors 41Acknowledgments 413THE 2025 OPEN SOURCE NETWORKING STUDYForewordThe landscape of networking technology has undergone a dramatic transformation in the past decade.The evolution has be

13、en so profound that a time traveler from the 2000s would find todays network architectures and operations virtually unrecognizable.The era of specialized hardware running proprietary software is firmly in the past.The decoupling of software from hardware,coupled with the rise of Network Function Vir

14、tualization(NFV)and its subsequent evolution to Cloud native Network Functions(CNF),paved the way for the current age of truly Software-Defined Networking(SDN).Today,network functions that enable connectivity between endpoints are essentially software applications akin to enterprise or consumer apps

15、.Concepts such as continuous deployment are now standard practice in networking,ensuring that software is consistently up-to-date and performs optimally.Furthermore,companies can readily apply familiar IT observability and control tools to networks,enhancing their resilience and improving the end-us

16、er experience.Several key forces have propelled this rapid network innovation.First,the industry has embraced open networking,with interfaces increasingly defined by open source projects and open standards,as the Open Radio Access Networks(OpenRANs)exemplify.Second,network functions are being fundam

17、entally re-architected based on cloud native principles,breaking them down into smaller,independent,and portable modules capable of adapting to infrastructure changes and fluctuating capacity demands.Third,the advent of artificial intelligence(AI)presents significant opportunities to reimagine netwo

18、rk operation,design,and maintenance.Open source software(OSS)has been instrumental in translating these trends into tangible networking advancements.Communities of experts have collaborated to drive innovation through OSS projects,which serve as the fundamental building blocks of modern networks.Tim

19、e and again,these OSS initiatives have demonstrated that the most effective path to innovation lies in creating shared technologies that industry players can leverage to build competitive and groundbreaking products.This transformation is far from complete.Creative minds within the industry,particul

20、arly those in the open source community,are continuously adapting emerging technologies to deliver functionality and performance that were unimaginable just a few years ago.The pace of innovation and creativity appears to be accelerating,with open source communities constantly exploring the next tra

21、nsformative technology.Against this backdrop,it seemed opportune to engage with industry leaders to gain insights into critical questions,such as:“Where is the industry heading?”,“What role should OSS play in this future?”,and“Which technologies are already demonstrating their value in real-world de

22、ployments?”.This research paper synthesizes the responses to these survey questions,aiming to provide guidance for those deeply involved in OSS for networking,as well as those who are still considering its potential.Arpit JoshipuraSenior Vice President&General ManagerLinux Foundation Networking,IoT,

23、&Edge4THE 2025 OPEN SOURCE NETWORKING STUDYExecutive SummaryThe 2025 LF Networking Report offers critical insights into the evolving role of open source software(OSS)in the networking industry,highlighting a widespread shift toward open,scalable,and cloud native infrastructure.Based on a global surv

24、ey of experienced IT and networking professionals,the findings reveal how organizations adopt these technologies and the opportunities and challenges that accompany transformation.Open Source:A Strategic ImperativeThe report clearly establishes open source as a foundational component of modern netwo

25、rking.An overwhelming 92%of respondents consider open source projects important to their organizations future,with 94%emphasizing the value of open source foundations for governance and long-term support.These findings point to OSS as more than just a cost-saving mechanismit is now a strategic enabl

26、er of agility,innovation,and vendor independence.Organizations are also realizing substantial business value from OSS:84%report high or very high returns,particularly in terms of faster development,reduced time-to-market,and lower infrastructure costs.The deep level of OSS participation in the netwo

27、rking communitywhere 63%both use and contributeunderscores a growing commitment to community-driven development.Cloud Native Networking Gains MomentumCloud native networking adoption is well underway,with 90%of organizations reporting progress.Larger enterprises lead the charge:73%have completed som

28、e or much of their development.Medium-sized organizations show steady progress,while smaller firms display a bifurcated patternsome fully embracing cloud native tools from the outset and others still hesitant due to resource and expertise gaps.The primary driver behind this shift is the need for sca

29、lability,automation,and agility in network management.Tools such as Kubernetes,service meshes,and container-based architectures are becoming essential as companies modernize infrastructure to meet dynamic workloads and security demands.Collaboration and Community:The Why Behind Open Source AdoptionO

30、rganizations engage with the open source community for multiple reasons,but the top motivators are cost savings and reduced vendor lock-in,according to 61%of respondents.This pragmatic focus reflects both economic pressures and the strategic desire for flexibility.Other benefits include accelerated

31、innovation(46%),strong ecosystem support(44%),and improved software quality(40%).Interestingly,the reasons for OSS collaboration shift based on an organizations maturity in cloud native adoption.Newer adopters prioritize future-proofing and security transparency,while mature users focus more on inno

32、vation and roadmap influence.Critical Capabilities and Top ChallengesThe most-valued open networking capabilities are scalable and high-performance operations(73%),edge performance(49%),and multi-architecture support(47%).These reflect the need to manage distributed environments,integrate legacy and

33、 modern systems,and enable real-time services.5THE 2025 OPEN SOURCE NETWORKING STUDYHowever,significant challenges persist.Architectural complexity(50%),legacy system integration(47%),and a persistent skills gap(44%)top the list of obstacles in adopting cloud native networking.Mid-journey adoptersth

34、ose that have completed some of the implementationface the most friction,as they must manage both modern and traditional environments while scaling internal knowledge and capabilities.Barriers to Broader OSS AdoptionThe leading barriers to wider OSS usage are skills gaps(41%),security and compliance

35、 concerns(37%),and legal/licensing risks(36%).These barriers vary depending on an organizations progress.Those just beginning cloud native networking cite cultural resistance and integration challenges,while mature cloud native networking organizations grapple with community participation and contri

36、bution complexities.Strong Demand for Super BlueprintsA striking 86%of respondents support the development of end-to-end Super Blueprintsmodular,open source-based reference architectures that streamline deployment and integration.These frameworks offer a path to reduce risk,improve interoperability,

37、and promote vendor-neutral solutions.Respondents see them as essential to accelerating adoption and simplifying complex open networking environments.OpenRAN:Early but AcceleratingWhile OpenRAN is still in the early stages of adoption,growth is likely to surge through 2027.Respondents cite standardiz

38、ation and interoperability(56%)as the primary drivers,followed by Kubernetes integration and innovation potential.Organizations further along in cloud native networking are significantly more likely to adopt OpenRAN,viewing it as a natural extension of their modern infrastructure strategies.Predicte

39、d growth rates for OpenRAN network functions,including CU/DUs and RICs,average 200%in 2025 and 100%from the beginning of 2026 through 2027,indicating a transition from early adopters to the early majority within the next three years.The Expanding Role of AI in NetworkingAI is rapidly becoming integr

40、al to network operations.Top use cases in development include network automation and orchestration(57%),threat detection(50%),and predictive maintenance(43%).Organizations with advanced cloud native deployments are leading in AI application experimentation and development because of their robust inf

41、rastructure and real-time data capabilities.A majority of organizations(75%)prefer building AI tools on open source foundations,leveraging flexibility and ecosystem benefits.The top two actions to accelerate AI development in open source networking are ensuring the availability of high-quality datas

42、ets(ranked#1 by 56%of respondents)and frameworks for AI application development(ranked#1 by 34%or respondents).These foundational elements are critical for building effective,scalable,and domain-specific AI solutions.6THE 2025 OPEN SOURCE NETWORKING STUDYIntroductionNetworking plays a foundational r

43、ole in modern IT,enabling communication between systems,applications,and users across diverse environmentson-premises,in the cloud,and at the edge.As IT infrastructure becomes more dynamic and distributed,networking has evolved from static configurations to highly programmable,automated systems deep

44、ly integrated into the software stack.In cloud native architectures,networking is essential for service discovery,load balancing,and secure communication between microservices.Tools such as Kubernetes,service meshes,and ingress controllers now embed networking directly into application platforms,blu

45、rring the lines between infrastructure and software.A significant force shaping the future of networking is open networkingthe move toward disaggregated,software-defined solutions based on open standards and community-driven innovation.Open networking allows organizations to decouple hardware from s

46、oftware,reducing vendor lock-in and enabling rapid innovation.Projects such as SONiC,FRR,OpenDaylight,ONAP,and FD.io are shaping how companies are building modern networks to be open,automated,and software driven.This shift supports interoperability,agility,and transparency,making networks more adap

47、table to changing workloads and security requirements.As IT continues to embrace DevOps and automation,open networking aligns with the broader trend of treating infrastructure as code,where networking becomes programmable,version controlled,and integrated with CI/CD pipelines.In essence,networking i

48、s now as much about software engineering as it is about connectivity.Linux Foundation(LF)Networking has been hugely influential in driving the open source networking movement.It is one of the key collaborative organizations shaping the future of network infrastructure,particularly around disaggregat

49、ion,openness,and cloud native alignment.LF Research partnered with LF Networking to craft a survey that would explore the most significant trends in open source networking and inform decision-makers.Key topics in this survey included involvement in open source,involvement in cloud native networking,

50、open source networking uses and challenges,OpenRAN plans,and how AI apps will influence the direction of networking.This report discusses the most important findings from this survey.This LF Networking survey was designed,fielded,and analyzed in Q1 2025.The findings were reported and published in Ap

51、ril 2025.Respondents were sampled from the networking community,with 83%having more than 10 years of professional experience and 61%having 20 or more years of experience.7THE 2025 OPEN SOURCE NETWORKING STUDYAbout the respondents and organizations who answered this survey1 OpenSourceSoftwareDevelope

52、rsReport,October2024,Stephen Hendrick&Bianca Trinkenreich OSS_Developer_Report_2024.pdfWhile LF Research reports generally talk about respondents in the Methodology section,which appears near the end of this report,the sample for this survey was a little different than what we usually encounter.An a

53、ppreciation for the makeup of this sample will help with the readers interpretation of the findings.Figure 1 shows how engaged respondents are with OSS.Perhaps the most compelling statistic is that 63%of respondents use and contribute to open source and 35%are users of open source(although not contr

54、ibutors).Comparing these results to an identical question we asked to a more heterogeneous collection of developers where 51%of respondents used and contributed to OSS and 47%were just users,1 we see a significantly higher level of involvement in OSS in the networking survey.This demonstrates that t

55、he respondents in this networking survey are both highly experienced and more deeply involved in contributing to OSS.Therefore,questions in this survey on open networking progress,adoption,barriers,reasons,challenges,and benefits will reflect the perspectives of highly informed and knowledgeable sou

56、rces.FIGURE 1 INVOLVEMENT IN OSS PROJECTSWhich option best describes your level of engagement with open source software projects?(select one)2025 LF NETWORKING SURVEY,Q6,SAMPLE SIZE=169,“OTHER”RESPONSES EXCLUDED FROM THE ANALYSISI am not involved with the use and do not activelycontribute to open so

57、urce software2%I use open source software but donot actively contribute to its development35%I am a non-development contributor involved in non-coding tasks(documentation,community engagement,etc.)17%I am an occasional contributor27%I am a core contributor4%I am a committer5%I am a maintainer(key de

58、cision maker/project leader)11%8THE 2025 OPEN SOURCE NETWORKING STUDYThe importance and value of open source to organizationsFigure 2 highlights the growing significance of OSS in modern organizations.The results clearly underscore the strategic importance and business value that open source initiat

59、ives provide across various sectors.First,the data reveals that a substantial 92%of respondents consider open source projects either important,very important,or extremely important to their organizations future.This high percentage reflects a deep reliance on OSS for innovation,scalability,and cost

60、efficiency.Open source projects allow companies to leverage community-driven development,accelerate deployment,and reduce vendor lock-in,offering a more agile approach to technology adoption.Furthermore,respondents see open source foundationswhich provide structure,governance,and support to these pr

61、ojectsas crucial.According to the survey,94%of participants rate these foundations as important,very important,or extremely important in supporting the projects their organizations depend on.This indicates that they highly value the structured collaboration and long-term sustainability of open sourc

62、e initiatives,which help ensure the quality and continuity of mission-critical software.The business impact of open source is equally striking.A combined 84%of organizations report deriving either high or very high business value from open source.This suggests that OSS not only drives technical inno

63、vation but also translates directly into measurable business benefits such as reduced development costs,faster time-to-market,and improved interoperability.Collectively,these questions clearly demonstrate that OSS is not just a technical preferenceit is a strategic asset.Organizations increasingly r

64、ely on open source to drive growth,enhance collaboration,and maintain a competitive edge in a fast-evolving digital landscape.9THE 2025 OPEN SOURCE NETWORKING STUDYFIGURE 2 EVALUATING THE IMPORTANCE OF OSS PROJECTS AND FOUNDATIONS AND THEIR ORGANIZATIONAL VALUEHow important are open source projects

65、to the future of your organization?(select one)How important are open source foundations in supporting the projects that your organization relies on?(select one)How much business value your organization derives from open source?(select one)2025 LF NETWORKING SURVEY,Q11,SAMPLE SIZE=1532025 LF NETWORK

66、ING SURVEY,Q12,SURVEY,SAMPLE SIZE=145,DKNS RESPONSES EXCLUDED FROM THE ANALYSIS 2025 LF NETWORKING SURVEY,Q13,SAMPLE SIZE=149,DKNS RESPONSES EXCLUDED FROM THE ANALYSISNot important at all0%Slightly important8%Important14%Very important32%Extremely important46%Not important at all0%Slightly important

67、6%Important28%Very important34%Extremely important32%Very low1%Low4%Neutral12%High44%Very high40%10THE 2025 OPEN SOURCE NETWORKING STUDYOrganizational adoption of cloud native networkingCloud native networking is essential for organizations of all sizes because it enables greater scalability,flexibi

68、lity,and automation in managing modern infrastructure.By integrating networking into cloud native architectures,businesses can respond more quickly to changing demands,improve application performance,and reduce operational overhead.For large enterprises,it supports complex,distributed environments,w

69、hile for smaller companies,it offers cost-effective,agile solutions that promote innovation.Cloud native networking also enhances security,observability,and resilience,making it a vital component of digital transformation.Regardless of size,organizations benefit from improved efficiency,faster deplo

70、yment cycles,and the ability to stay competitive in a cloud-driven world.Figure 3 illustrates how organizations(segmented by company size)are progressing on their journey to cloud native networking.The data provides key insights into the adoption curve and maturity levels across small,medium,and lar

71、ge enterprises.Overall,most organizations have initiated cloud native networking development,with only 10%of respondents indicating no progress.Larger companies(10,000+employees)are clearly leading the charge38%report that some of their cloud native networking is complete,while 35%say much is comple

72、te.This suggests that larger enterprises are further along in both planning and implementation,likely due to greater resources,technical expertise,and the pressing need to modernize infrastructure at scale.Medium-sized companies(500 to 9,999 employees)show steady progress but are more distributed ac

73、ross the stages.Around 31%have completed some development,31%have completed much of it,and only 8%report that they have finished nearly all development.This indicates a healthy adoption rate,though not as accelerated as in larger firms.The data on cloud native networking adoption among small organiz

74、ations(1 to 499 employees)reveals a split landscape.While 17%have not started and 22%are just beginning,25%have nearly completed their development.This reflects the diverse nature of small businesses,which vary widely in technical maturity,industry,and resource availability.Some small organizations,

75、particularly tech startups and digital-native companies,are well positioned to adopt cloud native technologies early.They often build their infrastructure with scalability and automation in mind,leveraging Kubernetes,service meshes,and container networking from the outset.Conversely,many traditional

76、 small businessesespecially in industries such as retail,healthcare,or professional serviceslack the internal expertise or urgency to adopt modern networking paradigms.These organizations may be slower to invest in cloud native solutions due to legacy systems,budget constraints,or unfamiliarity with

77、 the benefits.At the same time,the growing availability of managed platforms and simplified tools allows more agile teams to accelerate adoption without deep infrastructure investments.The result is a bimodal distribution:a significant group just beginning the journey and a similar-sized group that

78、has already advanced far.This split underscores that company size alone does not determine progress and that strategic intent,technical capability,and industry challenges play key roles.The data highlights a broader industry trend:cloud native networking is no longer experimental.It is becoming a fo

79、undational element of enterprise infrastructure,especially among organizations aiming for scalability,agility,and automation in their networks.11THE 2025 OPEN SOURCE NETWORKING STUDYFIGURE 3 ORGANIZATIONAL ADOPTION OF CLOUD NATIVE NETWORKINGHow much progress has your organization made on the journey

80、 to cloud native networking?(select one)segmented by:company size(employees)2025 LF NETWORKING SURVEY,Q17 X Q7,SAMPLE SIZE=145,DKNS RESPONSES EXCLUDED FROM THE ANALYSISWe have not started cloud native networking development and deployment10%17%4%4%We are just beginning cloud native networking develo

81、pment and deployment17%22%27%7%Some of our cloud native networking development and deploymentis complete28%17%31%38%Much of our cloud native networking development and deploymentis complete27%19%31%35%Nearly all of our cloud native networking development and deployment is complete19%25%8%16%TotalSma

82、ll(1 to 499 employees)Medium(500 to 9,999 employees)Large(10K or more employees)12THE 2025 OPEN SOURCE NETWORKING STUDYReasons for collaborating with the open source community to achieve technology goalsCost savings and reduced vendor lock-in stand out as the most important reasons organizations col

83、laborate with the open source community,according to 61%of organizations(Figure 4).This dominance over other reasons reflects both economic and strategic priorities in todays technological landscape.Financially,open source solutions significantly reduce licensing and operational costs compared to pr

84、oprietary software.This is particularly critical as organizations scale their infrastructure,especially in cloud native environments,where containerization and microservices can otherwise incur high costs if organizations can only use specific vendors.Strategically,reducing vendor lock-in enhances a

85、gility and future-proofing.Organizations gain the flexibility to switch providers,integrate best-of-breed tools,and avoid dependency on a single vendors pricing,roadmap,or ecosystem limitations.This freedom is especially valuable for companies advancing in their cloud native journey,where rapid inno

86、vation and scalability are essential.Unlike innovation or ecosystem supportwhich offer long-term advantagescost and independence deliver immediate,measurable business value.For many decision-makers,especially in tight economic climates or high-growth scenarios,this makes cost savings and vendor inde

87、pendence not just preferable but essential.They are foundational benefits that enable and support all the others,making them the top motivators across all stages of cloud native maturity.As Figure 4 shows,other reasons why organizations collaborate with the open source community include:Accelerated

88、innovation and faster development(46%).This reflects how open source fosters faster iteration cycles and allows organizations to stay ahead in rapidly evolving tech landscapes.Ecosystem and community support(44%).This factor indicates that,regardless of cloud native maturity,organizations value comm

89、unity collaboration and the shared knowledge it brings.Improved software quality and reliability(40%).Commonly used OSS software components benefit from undergoing community vetting,which improves software quality and reliability.Interestingly,only 36%of organizations close to completing their cloud

90、 native networking journey cite this,suggesting that organizations might place relatively less emphasis on these benefits once other benefits,such as security or innovation,become more apparent in later adoption stages.Future-proofing the technology stack(38%).This reason for collaborating with the

91、open source community jumps to 45%among those who have not started or are just beginning their cloud native networking implementation.This reinforces the notion that open source collaboration helps ensure long-term adaptability and relevance in fast-changing technology environments.Segmentation by c

92、loud native networking adoption is especially relevant in areas such as enhanced security and code transparency,compliance and industry collaboration,and strategic influence over open source roadmaps.These reasons also show that once organizations have established themselves on their journey to clou

93、d native networking,these factors become significantly more important.13THE 2025 OPEN SOURCE NETWORKING STUDYFIGURE 4 REASONS FOR COLLABORATING WITH THE OPEN SOURCE COMMUNITY TO ACHIEVE TECHNOLOGY GOALSWhat are your reasons for collaborating with the open source community to achieve your organizatio

94、ns technology goals?segmented by:cloud native networking progress2025 LF NETWORKING SURVEY,Q22 X Q17,SAMPLE SIZE=139,VALID CASES=139,TOTAL MENTIONS=517,DKNS RESPONSES EXCLUDED FROM THE ANALYSISCost savings&reduced vendor lock-in61%68%57%59%Accelerated innovation&faster development46%45%43%48%Ecosyst

95、em&community support44%42%43%45%Improved software quality&reliability40%42%43%36%Future-proofing technology stack38%45%38%34%TotalNot started or just beginningSome cloud native networking completeNearly all cloud native networking complete14THE 2025 OPEN SOURCE NETWORKING STUDYThe top three open net

96、working capabilitiesThe survey asked participants to select their top three networking capabilities from a list of 10 areas,and Figure 5 shows that the leading choice was clear and that the two follow-up choices were competitive across the sample.For large enterprises,scalable and high-performing ne

97、twork operations are fundamental,as 73%of organizations indicated.These organizations manage extensive infrastructure spread across multiple locations,regions,and time zones.Scalability ensures the network can grow in step with business needs,user bases,and data volumes.Performance is equally critic

98、al to maintaining efficiency,minimizing latency,and delivering seamless user experiences across applications and services.Without these capabilities,large organizations risk bottlenecks and operational inefficiencies,leading to potential revenue loss and degraded customer trust.Network performance a

99、t the edge(49%overall)and multi-architecture support(47%overall)are effectively tied for the second and third top capabilities,but the ranking can vary considerably based on the size of the organization.Large enterprises typically operate at a global scale,with offices,data centers,and users spread

100、across multiple geographic locations.To meet the demands of distributed operations and support low-latency,real-time services,these organizations increasingly rely on edge computing.High network performance at the edge enables them to process data locally,reducing reliance on centralized infrastruct

101、ure,improving responsiveness,and ensuring business continuity.This is especially important for use cases such as smart manufacturing,remote diagnostics,or content delivery networkscommon in large,complex enterprises.On the other hand,medium-sized organizations often operate in a hybrid environment a

102、s they scale up and modernize their IT infrastructure.They need the flexibility to run workloads across different platforms,such as the cloud,on-premises,and the edge.Multi-architecture support allows them to adopt the best tools and technologies for their specific needs without restricting themselv

103、es to a single vendor or platform.It is also a way to optimize costs,extend the life of existing investments,and prepare for future growth.Zero-trust architecture and AI-powered network operations and integration are both critical innovations in networking,but they do not appear among the top three

104、capabilities in Figure 5 because organizations may still view them as emerging or enabling technologies rather than immediate operational priorities.Zero-trust architecture,while gaining momentum due to rising cybersecurity threats,often requires complex redesigns,policy shifts,and cross-functional

105、collaboration to implement.Many organizations are still in the planning or early adoption phases,which may explain their lower prioritization of zero-trust architecture.AI-powered networking and integration promises long-term value through automation and intelligent decision-making,but its perceived

106、 complexity,cost,and lack of mature solutions may lead some organizations to see it as a next-phase investment rather than a top priority today.15THE 2025 OPEN SOURCE NETWORKING STUDYFIGURE 5 THE TOP THREE NETWORKING CAPABILITIES SEGMENTED BY COMPANY SIZEPlease select the top three capabilities that

107、 are most important to your organization.(select up to three responses)segmented by:company size(employees)2025 LF NETWORKING SURVEY,Q15 X Q7,SAMPLE SIZE=148,VALID CASES=148,TOTAL MENTIONS=408,DKNS RESPONSES EXCLUDED FROM THE ANALYSISNetwork operations scalabilityand performance73%72%68%76%TotalSmal

108、l(1 to 499 employees)Medium(500 to 9,999 employees)Large(10K or more employees)Network performance at the edge49%41%44%59%Multi-architecture support47%47%56%42%Zero trust architecture34%25%48%37%AI-powered network operations&integration26%14%28%39%IoT connectivity14%20%12%7%Ethernet innovation12%16%

109、12%8%AI-powered network security11%14%4%12%Other(please specify)5%9%0%2%AI-powered documentation3%2%8%2%None of the above3%5%4%0%16THE 2025 OPEN SOURCE NETWORKING STUDYOrganizations challenges in adopting cloud native networkingThe leading challenges that organizations have in adopting cloud native

110、computing include architectural complexity(50%),integration with legacy systems(47%),the skills gap and organizational readiness(44%),and tool fragmentation and vendor lock-in(42%).Figure 6 lists these challenges(and more)in descending order of importance and segments this data by level of cloud nat

111、ive networking maturity.Architectural complexity represents the most significant barrier to cloud native networking.Cloud native networking often requires a deep re-architecture of systems to embrace microservices,containers,and dynamic workloads.This complexity makes it difficult for teams to desig

112、n and implement scalable,secure,and resilient networking models,especially in large or heavily regulated environments.Integration with legacy systems follows closely.Many organizations operate on hybrid infrastructures,where cloud native applications must interact with traditional systems.Bridging t

113、he gap between old and new technologies without compromising performance,security,or data consistency is a non-trivial challenge that demands considerable time,expertise,and customization.Skills gap and organizational readiness is the third-highest concern.Cloud native networking involves new paradi

114、gms,such as service meshes,container orchestration,and CI/CD pipelines.A lack of skilled personnel or sufficient training hampers the ability to adopt and operate these tools effectively,slowing down the overall transformation process.Finally,tooling fragmentation and vendor lock-in is a key obstacl

115、e.The cloud native ecosystem offers a wide array of tools,many of which are not interoperable.Organizations often struggle with choosing and integrating tools that suit their needs while avoiding dependency on specific vendors,which can limit flexibility and increase long-term costs.17THE 2025 OPEN

116、SOURCE NETWORKING STUDYFIGURE 6 ORGANIZATIONAL CHALLENGES IN ADOPTING CLOUD NATIVE NETWORKINGWhat are your organizations biggest challenges in adopting cloud native networking?(select all that apply)segmented by:cloud native networking progress2025 LF NETWORKING SURVEY,Q19 X Q17,SAMPLE SIZE=123,VALI

117、D CASES=123,TOTAL MENTIONS=421,DKNS RESPONSES EXCLUDED FROM THE ANALYSISArchitectural complexity50%58%45%49%TotalNot started or just beginningSome cloud native networking completeNearly all cloud native networking completeIntegration with legacy systems47%33%58%46%Skills gap&organizational readiness

118、44%46%58%34%Tooling fragmentation&vendor lock-in42%38%61%33%Security concerns30%33%34%26%Cost&resource overhead27%38%26%23%Multi-cloud&hybrid cloud challenges26%29%21%28%Lack of a clear definition as to what cloud native networking is21%38%11%21%Observability&debugging challenges20%17%11%26%Governan

119、ce&policy enforcement20%29%21%15%Network reliability&availability16%25%16%13%18THE 2025 OPEN SOURCE NETWORKING STUDYOrganizations with some cloud native networking complete report significantly greater concern over integration with legacy systems(58%),skills gap and organizational readiness(58%),and

120、 tooling fragmentation and vendor lock-in(61%)compared to their peers further behind or ahead in adoption.This stage often represents a critical transitional phase where organizations are shifting from experimentation to broader deployment but have not yet reached full maturity.At this point,teams f

121、ace real-world friction integrating modern cloud native architectures with existing legacy systems,which are often deeply embedded in business operations.Unlike those just beginning(who may not yet feel the impact)or those fully migrated(who may have phased out older systems),these mid-stage adopter

122、s must bridge both worlds simultaneously.Similarly,the skills gap becomes painfully apparent at this stage.While early champions or consultants might have driven initial progress,scaling efforts highlight broader internal knowledge and readiness deficiencies.Tooling fragmentation and vendor lock-in

123、become more visible,too.As teams incorporate more cloud native tools,they often realize the challenges of integrating disparate solutions and the risks of relying too much on a single vendor.These organizations are actively confronting the complexities of operationalizing cloud native networkingnot

124、just planning or optimizingwhich is why these challenges rank so high.Barriers to adopting more OSSBarriers to adopting more OSS are extremely dependent upon the progress that an organization has made toward cloud native networking.Figure 7 shows these barriers in overall descending order and segmen

125、ts them by cloud native networking progress.Skills gap and knowledge requirements(41%),security and compliance concerns(37%),and licensing and legal risk(36%)are the leading barriers across all organizations.The prominence of the skills gap highlights that many organizations lack personnel with the

126、necessary expertise to deploy,manage,and contribute to open source projects effectively.This shortage can slow adoption,increase operational risk,and raise costs due to additional training or reliance on external consultants.Security and compliance concerns come next,reflecting the complexities of v

127、alidating the integrity of open source code and ensuring it meets internal or regulatory compliance standards.Without clear ownership or standard security practices,organizations may struggle with vulnerability management,patching,and audit readiness.Licensing and legal risks are also significant be

128、cause of the diverse and often ambiguous nature of open source licenses.Misunderstanding licensing obligationssuch as copyleft provisionscan inadvertently expose companies to legal liabilities or force unwanted disclosure of proprietary code.In combination,these barriers reflect the growing need for

129、 organizations to balance the agility and innovation of open source adoption with structured governance,legal due diligence,and workforce development to mitigate risks and unlock its full potential.19THE 2025 OPEN SOURCE NETWORKING STUDYFIGURE 7BARRIERS TO ADOPTING MORE OSSWhat are the barriers,if a

130、ny,in adopting more open source software across your stack?(select all that apply)segmented by:cloud native networking progress2025 LF NETWORKING SURVEY,Q20 X Q17,SAMPLE SIZE=136,VALID CASES=136,TOTAL MENTIONS=399,DKNS RESPONSES EXCLUDED FROM THE ANALYSISSkills gap&knowledge requirements41%54%33%38%

131、TotalNot started or just beginningSome cloud native networking completeNearly all cloud native networking completeSecurity and compliance concerns37%51%46%22%Licensing and legal risk36%32%46%32%Lack of enterprise support33%30%46%27%Long-term sustainability risk32%35%36%27%Integration&compatibility c

132、hallenges28%41%28%20%Internal resistance&cultural barriers25%41%26%15%Fragmentation&lack of standardization24%14%33%25%Contribution&communityparticipation challenges21%14%10%32%Cloud and SaaS alternatives10%16%8%7%Other(please specify)7%16%0%7%20THE 2025 OPEN SOURCE NETWORKING STUDYBarriers to organ

133、izations that have not started or are just beginning cloud native networkingFor organizations that have not started or are just beginning their cloud native networking journey,barriers such as skills gap and knowledge requirements(54%),security and compliance concerns(51%),integration and compatibil

134、ity challenges(41%),and internal resistance and cultural barriers(41%)are particularly high due to a lack of foundational readiness.The most significant hurdle is the skills gap,as these organizations often lack the in-house expertise to manage and operate open source,cloud native technologies.This

135、makes adoption risky and resource-intensive,deterring initial investments.Without experienced personnel,even basic implementation tasks can become overwhelming.Security and compliance concerns increase at this early stage because newer adopters typically do not have established frameworks for evalua

136、ting and managing the risks inherent in open source components.The lack of mature policies and automation makes them more vulnerable to misconfigurations,vulnerabilities,and compliance failures.Integration and compatibility challenges arise from trying to mesh open source tools with existing legacy

137、systems.Organizations just starting out may not yet have modular,flexible infrastructures,making it harder to implement open source solutions without significant rework.Finally,internal resistance and cultural barriers play a major role.Teams used to proprietary software or traditional methods may r

138、esist change,especially when they do not yet understand or see the benefits of open source adoption.Barriers to organizations where some cloud native networking is completeFor organizations with some cloud native networking development complete,key barriers such as security and compliance concerns(4

139、6%),licensing and legal risk(46%),lack of enterprise support(46%),and fragmentation and lack of standardization(33%)reflect the growing complexity and scale they encounter mid-journey.At this stage,these organizations have likely moved beyond experimentation and are deploying open source technologie

140、s into production or hybrid environments.As a result,security and compliance become more pressing due to the need to manage vulnerabilities across more extensive deployments,meet regulatory requirements,and ensure consistent policy enforcement across platforms.These concerns are no longer theoretica

141、lthey are operational realities.Similarly,licensing and legal risk rise in importance as usage expands.The more open source components that organizations integrate into a production stack,the greater the chance of encountering diverse,sometimes incompatible licenses.Mismanagement can lead to IP expo

142、sure,compliance issues,or even legal consequences,especially if teams lack a centralized governance model.Lack of enterprise support is another key barrier.As adoption scales,organizations increasingly require professional-grade support,training,and documentationareas where some open source projects

143、 may fall short.Without this support,troubleshooting and ongoing maintenance become time-consuming and risky.Lastly,fragmentation and lack of standardization pose integration and operational challenges.Organizations often struggle to align tools,APIs,and configurations across different environments,

144、leading to inefficiencies and increased overhead.21THE 2025 OPEN SOURCE NETWORKING STUDYThese barriers illustrate the challenges of moving from partial to full maturity in a cloud native strategy while maintaining control,compliance,and consistency.Barriers to organizations where nearly all cloud na

145、tive networking is completeFor organizations that have nearly completed all of their cloud native networking development,skills gap and knowledge requirements(38%)and contribution and community participation challenges(38%)emerge as the top barriers to further OSS adoption.At this advanced stage,the

146、 focus often shifts from basic implementation to optimization,customization,and long-term sustainabilityareas that demand highly specialized expertise.Even though these organizations have matured in their cloud native journey,the skills gap persists because deeper engagement with open source project

147、s requires knowledge beyond deploymentsuch as contributing code,understanding complex project roadmaps,and integrating bleeding-edge tools.Maintaining and evolving open source-based systems often depends on niche expertise that is not widely available.Contribution and community participation challen

148、ges become prominent because mature adopters increasingly need to influence the direction of the projects they rely on.However,contributing effectively requires time,resources,and alignment with internal prioritiessomething many organizations struggle to balance.Navigating community dynamics,governa

149、nce structures,and open development processes can also be difficult for teams used to vendor-led support models.Ultimately,these barriers highlight that,at the high end of the adoption curve,technical depth and active engagement with the open source ecosystem are criticalbut not always easy to achie

150、ve or sustain within enterprise environments.22THE 2025 OPEN SOURCE NETWORKING STUDYShould open source organizations focus on end-to-end Super Blueprints?An end-to-end Super Blueprint in open networking is a comprehensive,modular framework that provides detailed guidance for designing,deploying,and

151、managing open,disaggregated network architectures.It encompasses hardware,software,and operational best practices across all layers of the network stackfrom physical infrastructure to orchestration and automation.Industry groups including the Linux Foundation and Open Compute Project collaborated to

152、 develop these blueprints,which support interoperability by integrating open source and vendor-neutral components.They aim to simplify complex network deployments,improve scalability,and reduce vendor lock-in.A Super Blueprint typically includes reference designs,validated configurations,and impleme

153、ntation guides for use cases such as data centers,edge computing,and telco networks.By covering the full lifecycle of network operationsplanning,implementation,and optimizationit enables operators to build flexible,cost-effective,and future-ready networks.Ultimately,an end-to-end Super Blueprint ser

154、ves as a roadmap for accelerating innovation and adoption of open networking at scale.When the survey asked respondents if open source organizations should focus on the development of end-to-end Super Blueprints and solutions across multiple software projects and technologies,the result,as Figure 8

155、shows,was a resounding yes.The figure shows that 86%of networking professionals support the development of end-to-end Super Blueprints across multiple open source projects because they see them as essential for simplifying complex network deployments.In an environment where networks span diverse tec

156、hnologiessuch as cloud,edge,and telco infrastructureprofessionals value clear,unified guidance that connects disaggregated components into cohesive solutions.Super Blueprints reduce the time and risk associated with integrating multiple software stacks by providing validated,interoperable designs.Th

157、ey also encourage best practices,enable scalability,and support vendor neutralitykey drivers in modern,open networking.Professionals recognize that without such blueprints,organizations often face integration challenges and duplicated efforts.By aligning efforts across different projects,Super Bluep

158、rints promote collaboration,accelerate innovation,and improve confidence in deploying open solutions.Ultimately,they help organizations deliver reliable,production-ready networks faster and with lower costs,making them a strategic focus for the open source community.23THE 2025 OPEN SOURCE NETWORKING

159、 STUDYFIGURE 8FEEDBACK ON WHETHER OPEN SOURCE ORGANIZATIONS SHOULD DEVELOP SUPER BLUEPRINTSShould open source organizations also focus on end-to-end Super Blueprints and solutions across multiple software projects and technologies?(select one)segmented by:cloud native networking progress2025 LF NETW

160、ORKING SURVEY,Q27 X Q17,SAMPLE SIZE=99,DKNS RESPONSES EXCLUDED FROM THE ANALYSISYes86%88%88%84%No14%12%13%16%TotalNot started or just beginningSome cloud native networking completeNearly all cloud native networking complete24THE 2025 OPEN SOURCE NETWORKING STUDYThe importance of open source in OpenR

161、AN integrationWhen we asked networking professionals about the importance of OSS in OpenRAN integration,34%gave a dont know or not sure(DKNS)response.This uncertainty likely reflects the indecisiveness of many organizations toward this technology and the desire to wait for the technology to mature m

162、ore before determining how it would evolve and how the role of OSS would unfold.Additionally,the technical complexity of integrating multiple componentsoften from different vendorscan make it difficult to clearly understand where open source fits into the equation.In some cases,professionals may ass

163、ociate open source with general IT infrastructure,not realizing its increasing relevance in telecom networks.This points to a broader need for education and clearer communication around how open source contributes to OpenRANs success,especially as this technology gains momentum globally.Figure 9,whi

164、ch excludes DKNS responses from the analysis,provides key insights into industry views on the role of OSS in OpenRAN integration and segments the insights by the progress organizations have made in adopting cloud native networking.Figure 9 shows that the majority of respondentsacross all levels of c

165、loud native maturityview open source in OpenRAN integration as important,very important,or extremely important.This widespread recognition likely stems from open sources central role in enabling interoperability,vendor flexibility,and innovation in OpenRAN ecosystems.As OpenRAN seeks to disaggregate

166、 traditional network architectures,open source offers a foundation for shared development,faster standardization,and cost reductionbenefits that appeal to both emerging and established network operators.Interestingly,both ends of the spectrumthose just beginning and those nearly done with cloud nati

167、ve transitionsrate open source as highly important.For the former,open source may represent a cost-effective,lower-barrier entry point into OpenRAN.These organizations may rely on open communities and tools to accelerate early development.On the other hand,highly mature organizations are more likely

168、 to be strategically invested in open ecosystems.They have likely experienced firsthand the benefits of open sourcesuch as automation,agility,and reduced vendor lock-inand see it as essential to successful integration at scale.Organizations that report having some cloud native networking complete ar

169、e notably less likely to view open source as critical.This may reflect a transitional phase where open source has not yet demonstrated its full value or where integration challenges have overshadowed its benefits.These organizations might still be dealing with hybrid environments and struggling with

170、 the complexity of aligning proprietary and open solutions,leading to uncertainty or underestimation of open sources role.25THE 2025 OPEN SOURCE NETWORKING STUDYFIGURE 9THE IMPORTANCE OF OPEN SOURCE IN OPENRAN INTEGRATIONHow important is the role of open source software in OpenRAN integration?(selec

171、t one)segmented by:cloud native networking progress2025 LF NETWORKING SURVEY,Q28 X Q17,SAMPLE SIZE=97,DKNS RESPONSES EXCLUDED FROM THE ANALYSISNot important at all8%4%11%9%TotalNot started or just beginningSome cloud native networking completeNearly all cloud native networking completeSlightly impor

172、tant7%4%11%7%Important29%33%33%24%Very important29%33%30%26%Extremely important27%25%15%35%26THE 2025 OPEN SOURCE NETWORKING STUDYPrimary reasons for adopting OpenRAN technologiesOpenRAN is a transformative telecommunications technology that aims to open up and standardize the hardware and software

173、in mobile networks.Traditionally,a single vendor with proprietary equipment builds radio access network(RAN)systems,limiting flexibility and innovation.OpenRAN changes this by promoting interoperability among components from different vendors through standardized interfaces.This approach enables net

174、work operators to mix and match hardware and software from multiple suppliers,reducing costs,fostering innovation,and avoiding vendor lock-in.OpenRAN leverages cloud computing,virtualization,and AI to make network management more agile and efficient.It is particularly important for the deployment of

175、 5G networks,where flexibility and scalability are critical.OpenRAN is reshaping how companies are designing and deploying mobile networks,especially in developing markets and rural areas where cost-effective solutions are essential for expanding connectivity.Figure 10 shows organizational reasons f

176、or adopting OpenRAN technologies.However,it is important to recognize that OpenRAN is in its infancy.Only 85%of our sample answered the question from Figure 10,and of those that answered the questions,52%responded by selecting DKNS.Therefore,Figure 10 reflects the views of the sample(40%)that select

177、ed one or more responses.The one reason for adopting OpenRAN technologies that resonated strongly across organizations,regardless of their progress on cloud native networking,was standardization and interoperability(56%overall).Standardization and interoperability are key drivers behind the adoption

178、 of OpenRAN technologies.By enabling components from different vendors to work together seamlessly,OpenRAN breaks the traditional reliance on single-vendor solutions.This flexibility allows operators to reduce costs,accelerate innovation,and tailor network solutions to specific needs.Standardized in

179、terfaces foster a more competitive ecosystem,encouraging collaboration and rapid technological advancement.Interoperability also simplifies network upgrades and maintenance,making it easier to deploy scalable and future-ready networks such as 5G.Ultimately,this open approach empowers operators with

180、greater control,adaptability,and efficiency in building and managing modern telecom infrastructure.The strong correlation between cloud native networking progress and the adoption of OpenRAN for cloud native and Kubernetes integration and faster innovation and collaboration reflects how organization

181、s with mature cloud strategies are leveraging OpenRAN to unlock its full potential.As Figure 10 shows,57%of organizations that have nearly completed cloud native networking cite Kubernetes integration as a primary reason for adopting OpenRANfar above the 21%for those just beginning.These organizatio

182、ns are already invested in containerization,microservices,and orchestration,so aligning OpenRAN with Kubernetes offers seamless integration,scalability,and automation.Similarly,49%of cloud native leaders prioritize faster innovation and collaboration,while only 29%of those starting out prioritize th

183、em.This reflects how cloud native maturity enables more agile development cycles,cross-vendor collaboration,and rapid deployment of new network functionsall of which OpenRAN supports through open interfaces and modular design.Ultimately,cloud native organizations view OpenRAN not just as an upgrade

184、but as an enabler of modern network transformation.27THE 2025 OPEN SOURCE NETWORKING STUDYFIGURE 10PRIMARY REASONS FOR ADOPTING OPENRAN TECHNOLOGIESWhat are your organizations primary reasons for adopting OpenRAN technologies?(select all that apply)segmented by:cloud native networking progress2025 L

185、F NETWORKING SURVEY,Q29 X Q17,SAMPLE SIZE=70,VALID CASES=70,TOTAL MENTIONS=204,DKNS RESPONSES EXCLUDED FROM THE ANALYSISStandardization&interoperability56%57%58%54%TotalNot started or just beginningSome cloud native networking completeNearly all cloud native networking completeCloud native&Kubernete

186、s integration46%21%42%57%Cost reduction43%57%42%38%Faster Innovation&collaboration43%29%42%49%Automation&orchestration39%43%42%35%Flexibility&customization37%43%42%32%Security&transparency29%29%37%24%28THE 2025 OPEN SOURCE NETWORKING STUDYOrganizations plans for deploying OpenRAN show strong growth

187、through 2027Response rates regarding OpenRAN plans shared a pattern of limited visibility,as Figures 9 and 10 show.Figure 11 reflects responses from 91%of our sample.Of the 91%,approximately 52%answered with a DKNS response when asked what their organizations plans were for deploying OpenRAN network

188、 functions.Therefore,Figure 11 reflects the perspectives of 43%of the sample who were able to share organizational information about OpenRAN implementation plans.However,when respondents say DKNS,that does not mean that the organization they work for is not involved with OpenRAN or planning to imple

189、ment OpenRAN soon.It just means that they are not able to answer the question.Therefore,OpenRAN penetration and growth rates are likely somewhat higher than Figure 11 shows.In Figure 11,the definitions of the acronyms representing the responses are as follows:RICs(nRT and nonRT)SMO.RICs(RAN intellig

190、ent controllers)are platforms for hosting intelligent applications(xApps and rApps)that manage and optimize RAN behavior.There are near-real-time(nRT,1 second latency)RICs.SMO(Service management and orchestration)is a component that oversees the lifecycle management of RAN functions.CU/DU.These are

191、parts of the base station that OpenRAN splits up for flexibility and efficiency.The DU(distributed unit)is closer to the radio unit and handles real-time processing such as MAC and RLC.The CU(central unit)manages higher-layer protocols such as PDCP and RRC.RU.The RU(radio unit)is the physical unit t

192、hat transmits and receives RF signals to/from the user equipment.O-cloud.O-Cloud(open cloud infrastructure)is a cloud computing platform that hosts OpenRAN,functions,and apps and provides the compute,storage,and networking resources necessary to run RICs,CU/DU functions,SMOs,and other virtual networ

193、k functions.Figure 11 shows a low already deployed penetration rate(6.3%on average)for OpenRAN network functions,reflecting its early stage of industry adoption.Challenges such as integration complexity with legacy systems,limited ecosystem maturity,and lack of standardized interoperability hinder r

194、apid deployment.Additionally,operators are cautious due to concerns over performance,security,and return on investment.The dominance of established vendors and internal resistance to change further slows adoption.Many organizations are still evaluating OpenRANs long-term viability,resulting in a hig

195、h percentage of delayed or uncertain deployment plans.However,this is all going to change rapidly over the next several years.If we assume that the segment of our sample that was able to answer this OpenRAN deployment question(other than DKNS)is representative of the overall sample,then we can estim

196、ate what OpenRAN growth will look like over the next several years.The planned implementations in this chart for 2025 and then 2026 through 2027 will have a profound impact on penetration rates.For example,for CU/DU,the penetration rate at the beginning of 2025 was 5.4%.Based on the planned for 2025

197、 additions of 16.4%,the estimated penetration rate at the end of 2025 would be 21.8%.Likewise,based on the planned for 2026 to 2027 additions,by the end of 2027,penetration for CU/DU would be 39.7%.This yields a growth rate of 304%for 2025 and 82%from the beginning of 2026 to the end of 2027.29THE 2

198、025 OPEN SOURCE NETWORKING STUDYLooking across these OpenRAN network functions,the average growth rate for 2025 was 200%,and the average growth rate from the beginning of 2026 to the end of 2027 was 100%.This suggests a strong acceleration of OpenRAN deployments and implies that OpenRAN technologies

199、 are transitioning 2 2025 Predictions:Open Networking&Edge,December 2024,Arpit Joshipura and Ranny Haiby,2025 Predictions:Open Networking&Edge-LF Networkingfrom innovators/enthusiasts at the beginning of 2025 to early adopters/visionaries by the end of 2025 and will include the early majority by the

200、 end of 2027.For more information from LF Networking on 2025 predictions,see 2025 Predictions:Open Networking&Edge2.FIGURE 11ORGANIZATIONAL PLANS FOR DEPLOYING OPENRAN NETWORK FUNCTIONSWhat are your organizations plans for deploying open source OpenRAN network functions in your network?(one response

201、 per row)2025 LF NETWORKING SURVEY,Q30,SAMPLE SIZE=73-76,DKNS RESPONSES EXCLUDED FROM THE ANALYSIS RICs(nRT and nonRT)-SMOAlready deployedPlanned for 2025Planned for 2026 to 2027Planned for 2028 or laterNo plans at this timeCU/DURUO-Cloud6.6%11.8%19.8%10.5%51.2%16.4%17.9%11.0%49.4%5.4%11.9%18.7%11.9

202、%50.7%6.7%10.6%20.0%10.9%51.8%6.7%0%10%20%30%40%50%60%70%80%90%100%30THE 2025 OPEN SOURCE NETWORKING STUDYAI use cases for supporting open networkingAI plays a vital role in supporting open network operations by enabling automation,intelligence,and adaptability across complex,distributed systems.It

203、enhances efficiency through automated orchestration,reduces human error,and accelerates fault detection and resolution.AI-driven analytics provide real-time insights,allowing proactive network management and improved decision-making.In open,cloud native environments,AI ensures seamless integration,s

204、calability,and security by dynamically responding to changing network demands and threats.As networks become more software-defined and data-driven,AI becomes essential for maintaining performance,reliability,and innovation,making it a cornerstone of next-generation open network operations.Figure 12

205、shows that there is a valuable role for AI in transforming network operations,particularly in the areas of network automation and orchestration(57%),AI for network security and threat detection(50%),and predictive maintenance and fault detection(43%).These three categories represent the most explore

206、d or deployed AI applications among organizations progressing toward cloud native networking.AI significantly supports network automation and orchestration by enabling intelligent and autonomous management of network infrastructure.It automates routine processes such as configuration management,soft

207、ware deployment,and traffic routing,reducing the need for manual intervention.With the help of machine learning,AI can analyze real-time data to make decisions,ensuring optimal resource utilization and minimizing latency.Organizations with advanced cloud native capabilities are leveraging AI to impl

208、ement closed-loop automation,where systems self-monitor and self-correct without human input.In network security and threat detection,AI plays a crucial role in proactively defending digital infrastructure.By leveraging machine learning algorithms,AI can learn normal traffic behavior and identify an

209、omalies that may signal potential threats.This enables real-time detection and prevention of cyberattacks,malware,and intrusion attempts.AI also enhances threat intelligence by integrating with external data sources and updating security protocols dynamically.Organizations with more mature cloud nat

210、ive implementations are more likely to deploy AI for advanced,automated threat response.For predictive maintenance and fault detection,AI helps organizations move from reactive to proactive network management.By analyzing historical and real-time performance data,AI predicts failures before they occ

211、ur and identifies underlying patterns associated with network faults.This minimizes downtime,reduces operational costs,and improves service reliability.AI-driven analytics also support rapid root cause analysis and efficient fault resolution,making it a key enabler in maintaining network health in c

212、omplex environments.31THE 2025 OPEN SOURCE NETWORKING STUDYFIGURE 12AI APPLICATION USE CASES FOR OPEN NETWORK OPERATIONSWhich AI applications are your organization currently exploring or deploying within your open network operations?(select all that apply)segmented by:cloud native networking progres

213、s2025 LF NETWORKING SURVEY,Q33 X Q17,SAMPLE SIZE=105,VALID CASES=105,TOTAL MENTIONS=271,DKNS RESPONSES EXCLUDED FROM THE ANALYSIS Figure 12 also shows that organizations with nearly all cloud native networking complete lead across most AI application categories because they have already optimized th

214、eir infrastructure for automation,scalability,and real-time data processingkey enablers for AI.These organizations have the architecture and tools needed to integrate AI into operations such as orchestration,security,and predictive maintenance.Their advanced maturity allows them to move beyond found

215、ational capabilities and focus on intelligent optimization.The only exception is AI in OpenRAN-specific use cases,which remains low across all segments due to its niche complexity and emerging nature,requiring specialized expertise and ecosystem support that even mature organizations may not yet pos

216、sess.Network automation&orchestration57%48%59%61%TotalNot started or just beginningSome cloud native networking completeNearly all cloud native networking completeAI for network security&threat detection50%30%53%61%AI-enhanced customer experience management30%22%32%34%Traffic management&quality of s

217、ervice(QoS)optimization29%37%21%30%Edge AI&private 5G networks25%19%18%34%AI for radio resource management(RRM)16%7%15%23%AI in OpenRAN-specific use cases8%11%0%11%Predictive maintenance&fault detection43%41%41%45%32THE 2025 OPEN SOURCE NETWORKING STUDYApproaches for developing networking-focused AI

218、 applicationsFigure 13 highlights the key approaches organizations are taking to develop AI applications.A significant majority(75%)prefer using open source as a foundation to build organization-specific applications.This strategy offers flexibility,cost efficiency,and often faster time-to-market.Op

219、en source tools allow organizations to leverage a broad ecosystem of community-tested components,accelerating innovation while retaining the ability to customize solutions to their unique networking needs.In contrast,42%of respondents develop AI applications from the ground up internally.This method

220、 provides full control over the architecture and functionality,which is essential for highly specialized use cases or industries with strict regulatory requirements.Although more resource-intensive,it ensures tailor-made solutions that closely align with internal infrastructure and long-term goals.A

221、lternatively,36%of organizations are likely to buy applications from vendors.This approach reduces development time and ensures support and maintenance from the vendor,making it ideal for organizations that may lack in-house AI expertise or need rapid deployment.However,it can lead to vendor lock-in

222、 and limited customization.Each approach reflects a balance between control,speed,cost,and capabilityoften depending on how advanced an organization is in adopting cloud native networking.FIGURE 13APPROACHES ORGANIZATIONS ARE USING TO DEVELOP AI-BASED NETWORKING APPLICATIONSWhat approaches will your

223、 organization use to develop these AI applications?(select all that apply)segmented by:cloud native networking progress2025 LF NETWORKING SURVEY,Q35 X Q17,SAMPLE SIZE=107,VALID CASES=107,TOTAL MENTIONS=170,DKNS RESPONSES EXCLUDED FROM THE ANALYSIS Use open source as foundation and build my organizat

224、ion-specific applicationson top of it75%73%72%78%TotalNot started or just beginningSome cloud native networking completeNearly all cloud native networking completeDevelop application from theground up internally42%33%38%51%Other(please specify)4%3%3%4%Buy applications from vendors38%30%50%36%33THE 2

225、025 OPEN SOURCE NETWORKING STUDYFigure 13 also shows that organizations with some cloud native networking applications complete(50%)are more likely to buy AI applications from vendors because they are in a transitional phaseneeding quick,reliable solutions to bridge capability gaps.Purchasing from v

226、endors allows them to deploy functional tools without internal development delays,enabling faster progress while internal infrastructure matures.This approach balances operational needs with ongoing modernization,helping them stay competitive without overextending limited in-house development resour

227、ces.AI foundational capabilities necessary to accelerate the development of open networking frameworks and applicationsDeveloping AI frameworks and applications in support of open networking operations is critical for driving innovation,scalability,and interoperability in modern network environments

228、.Open networking encourages collaboration across vendors and organizations,allowing AI solutions to be more adaptable and future-proof.By leveraging open standards and open source tools,organizations can avoid vendor lock-in,reduce costs,and accelerate development cycles.AI enhances network automati

229、on,fault prediction,and performance optimizationkey aspects in managing complex,cloud native infrastructures.Together,AI and open networking foster agile,intelligent systems that can evolve with emerging technologies and meet dynamic business demands more effectively.Figure 14 clearly highlights tha

230、t organizations perceive the availability of high-quality data sets and frameworks for AI application development as the most critical foundational elements for accelerating the development of open source,network domain-specific AI applications.A significant 56%of respondents ranked high-quality dat

231、a sets as the number one factor,indicating that data is the cornerstone of effective AI.In the context of networking applications,high-quality,domain-specific data is essential for training models that are accurate,reliable,and generalizable.Without such data,even the most sophisticated algorithms c

232、annot perform well.Data is what enables models to learn patterns,identify anomalies,and make decisions in complex,real-world networking environments.The emphasis on data reflects a broad industry recognition that real progress in AI is heavily dependent on having the right kind of data available in

233、sufficient volume and quality.Following this,34%of respondents ranked frameworks for AI application development as the top priority.Frameworks such as TensorFlow,PyTorch,and domain-specific tools provide the necessary infrastructure for developers to build,test,and deploy AI models efficiently.These

234、 frameworks abstract away much of the complexity involved in model development,enabling faster innovation and easier collaboration.In network-focused AI,where time-to-market and performance are critical,having robust development frameworks accelerates experimentation and deployment.Together,these tw

235、o elementsquality data and powerful development frameworksform the foundation for building scalable,effective AI solutions in the networking space,driving forward innovation and adoption.34THE 2025 OPEN SOURCE NETWORKING STUDYFIGURE 14LEADING AI FOUNDATIONAL CAPABILITIES NECESSARY TO ACCELERATE AI O

236、PEN NETWORKING APPLICATIONSPlease rank order the following AI actions based on their ability to best accelerate development of open source,network domain-specific AI frameworks and applications?(rank order each response)2025 LF NETWORKING SURVEY,Q36,SAMPLE SIZE=96-104,DKNS RESPONSES EXCLUDED FROM TH

237、E ANALYSIS Rank=1Rank=2Rank=3Rank=4Rank=5Code and model contributions from relevant industry players7%12%16%33%33%Availability of high quality data sets56%25%10%4%4%Frameworks for AI application development34%29%18%11%9%Libraries of reference implementation AI applications7%23%42%21%8%New licensing

238、models for data sets and applications3%16%15%29%36%0%10%20%30%40%50%60%70%80%90%100%35THE 2025 OPEN SOURCE NETWORKING STUDYConclusionsThe 2025 LF Networking Report offers a comprehensive view into the current landscape and future trajectory of open source networking,cloud native adoption,OpenRAN,and

239、 AI integration.A central takeaway is the critical and strategic role that OSS now plays across organizations,irrespective of size or industry.An overwhelming majority of respondents(92%)deem OSS crucial to their future,while 94%emphasize the importance of open source foundations,signaling strong tr

240、ust in community-led innovation and governance.Adoption of cloud native networking is accelerating across the board.Large enterprises are leading with higher completion rates,but smaller and medium-sized organizations are also actively engaging,albeit with greater variance due to resource disparitie

241、s.A notable insight is the bimodal adoption pattern among small organizations,in part because agile startups are embracing modern technologies early.The top motivations for engaging with the open source community align around cost savings,vendor independence,accelerated innovation,and community supp

242、ort.Importantly,organizations across all stages of cloud native maturity cite reduced vendor lock-in and cost efficiency as the leading driversreflecting a universal desire for flexibility and long-term value.In terms of technical capabilities,scalable and high-performing operations rank as the top

243、open networking priorities,with edge performance and multi-architecture support following closely behind.These capabilities address the diverse demands of modern infrastructures,especially as organizations scale globally and embrace hybrid environments.Yet,challenges remain.Architectural complexity,

244、legacy integration,and skills gaps consistently rank as the leading obstacles.These challenges are especially acute for organizations midway through their cloud native journey,where the realities of large-scale transformation come into sharp focus.Similarly,barriers to OSS adoptionsuch as licensing

245、risks and security concernsremain prominent,particularly among organizations still building foundational readiness.Support for end-to-end Super Blueprints is nearly unanimous(86%),reflecting a widespread desire for standardized,modular frameworks that ease deployment,reduce risk,and improve interope

246、rability across open networking solutions.Respondents see Super Blueprints as a path toward more scalable and production-ready systems that minimize integration complexity and accelerate innovation.OpenRAN adoption,while still in its early stages,shows strong momentum through 2027.Although a signifi

247、cant portion of respondents were unsure about their organizations specific OpenRAN plans,those who could respond highlighted a clear high growth trend across those OpenRAN network functions that we asked about.Standardization,interoperability,and Kubernetes integration are the main drivers for OpenR

248、AN,particularly among organizations with mature cloud native infrastructures.The role of AI in open networking is rapidly expanding.Organizations are widely deploying AI applications for automation,security,and predictive maintenance,with mature organizations leading the charge due to their optimize

249、d infrastructure and readiness for intelligent operations.Development strategies favor building on open source foundations(75%),demonstrating alignment between OSS and AI adoption goals.36THE 2025 OPEN SOURCE NETWORKING STUDYCrucially,the report emphasizes that data quality and accessible AI framewo

250、rks are essential to accelerate AI use in networking.Organizations recognize that without robust,domain-specific datasets and scalable development tools,AI innovation in networking will remain constrained.Ultimately,the report underscores that open source networking is evolving from an experimental

251、initiative into a core architectural principle.Organizations that embrace community-driven,cloud native,and AI-integrated strategies are in a better position to innovate,reduce costs,and future-proof their infrastructure.However,to fully capitalize on these opportunities,greater investment in skills

252、 development,standardized practices,and community engagement is essential.As the ecosystem matures,collaborationboth within the open source community and across industrieswill be the defining force in shaping the future of network infrastructure.MethodologyThe surveys goal was to explore the most si

253、gnificant trends in open source networking.Key topics include:Organizational involvement in open source Engagement in cloud native networking Challenges and benefits of using open source in support of networking Interest in and adoption of OpenRAN Focus on network-specific AI applicationsWe collecte

254、d survey data from industry-specific companies,IT vendors and service providers,and nonprofit,academic,and government organizations.Respondents spanned many vertical industries and companies of all sizes,and we collected data from several geographies,including the Americas,Europe,Asia-Pacific,the Mi

255、ddle East,and Africa.From a research perspective,it was important to eliminate any perception of sample bias and ensure high data quality.We eliminated sample bias by sourcing our usable sample from Linux Foundation subscribers,members,partner communities,and social media.We addressed data quality t

256、hrough extensive prescreening,survey screening questions,and secondary data quality checks to ensure that respondents had sufficient professional experience to answer questions accurately on behalf of the organization they worked for.This study is based on a web survey that LF Research and its partn

257、ers conducted in Q1 2025.Data collection was heavily focused on IT networking professionals.There were 304 respondents who started the survey,with 204 passing our screening questions and 173 completing the survey,yielding a high qualified completion rate of 85%.None of these 173 respondents failed o

258、ur secondary data quality testsa finding that is unusual and indicates high-quality respondents.The margin of error for the sample was+/-7.4%with 95%confidence and+/-6.2%with 90%confidence.The survey sampled respondents from the networking community,with 83%having more than 10 years of professional

259、experience and 61%having 20 or more years of experience.Although respondents had to answer nearly all questions in the survey,a provision was made when a respondent was unable 37THE 2025 OPEN SOURCE NETWORKING STUDYto answer a question.This is accomplished by adding a DKNS response to the list of re

260、sponses for every question.However,this creates a variety of analytical challenges.One approach was to treat a DKNS just like any other response to determine the percentage of respondents who answered DKNS.The advantage of this approach is that it shows the exact distribution of collected data.The c

261、hallenge with this approach is that it can distort the distribution of valid responses(i.e.,responses where respondents could answer the question).Many of the figures in this report exclude DKNS responses when segmenting data because the sample size and percentage of DKNS responses always vary acros

262、s segments.Excluding DKNS responses enables us to normalize the data to present segmentation results accurately.The percentage values in this report may not total to exactly 100%due to rounding.DataWorld accessLF Research makes each of its empirical project datasets and this 2025 LF Networking surve

263、y available on data.world.Included in this dataset are the survey instrument,raw survey data,screening and filtering criteria,and frequency charts for each question in the survey.LF Research datasets,including this project,are available at data.world/thelinuxfoundation.Access to Linux Foundation dat

264、asets is free but does require you to create a data.world account.Survey designThis 2025 LF Networking survey comprised 36 questions.The high-level design of the survey appears in Table 1.TABLE 1LF NETWORKING SURVEY DESIGNLF Networking Survey DesignSectionQuestionsQuestion categoriesWho answers the

265、questionsIntroductory questionQ1 Q3Screening questionsAll respondents(N=173)DemographicsQ4 Q6Respondent attributesAll respondents(N=173)DemographicsQ7 Q8Company attributesRespondents who are employed(N=157)OSS InvolvementQ9 Q16Respondent involvement in OSSRespondents who use or contribute to OSS(N=1

266、53 to 169)Cloud native networkingQ17 Q19Cloud native networksRespondents who are employed&whose organization is involved in cloud native networking(N=132 to 157)OSS impact on networkingQ20 Q27OSS networking use and challengesRespondents who use or contribute to OSS(N=153 to 169)OpenRANQ28 Q31Open Ra

267、dio Access NetworkingAll respondents(N=157 to 173)Networking&AIQ32 Q36LF networking&AIAll respondents(N=157 to 165)38THE 2025 OPEN SOURCE NETWORKING STUDYSurvey demographicsThese demographics provide you with a profile of the LF Networking survey respondents and the organizations they work for.We re

268、grouped all of the demographics in Figures 15 and 16 to facilitate a more insightful analysis.To access the original source data and study frequencies,please see the data.world access section above.FIGURE 15 DEMOGRAPHICS IHow familiar are you with telecommunications,cloud,and enterprise networks?(se

269、lect one)Employment statusGeographic region2025 LF NETWORKING SURVEY,Q1,SAMPLE SIZE=1732025 LF NETWORKING SURVEY,Q3,SAMPLE SIZE=1732025 LF NETWORKING SURVEY,Q4,SAMPLE SIZE=173Not familiar at all0%Slightly familiar0%Familiar22%Very familiar34%Extremely familiar44%Employed91%Unemployed but looking5%Re

270、tired&involvedin OSS3%Student&recent grads2%The Americas34%Europe49%Asia Pacific15%Middle East&Africa3%39THE 2025 OPEN SOURCE NETWORKING STUDYFIGURE 16 DEMOGRAPHICS IIHow many years of professional experience do you have?(select one)Please estimate how many total employees are in the organization yo

271、u work for.(select one)What is your primary job function?(select one)2025 LF NETWORKING SURVEY,Q5,SAMPLE SIZE=1732025 LF NETWORKING SURVEY,Q7,SAMPLE SIZE=1572025 LF NETWORKING SURVEY,Q8,SAMPLE SIZE=1570 to 2 years3%3 to 5 years6%6 to 10 years8%11 to 20 years22%More than 20 years61%1 to 4922%50 to 49

272、921%500 to 4,99911%5,000 to 9,9996%10,000 to 19,9997%20,000 or more31%Not working for an organization2%Executive(C-level)17%Software system architect15%System operations13%Project,product,or team manager13%Software developer12%Professional services or consultant10%Security specialist6%Business,sales

273、,legal,or marketing3%AI/ML engineering or data science1%Quality assurance1%Other(please specify)10%40THE 2025 OPEN SOURCE NETWORKING STUDYAbout the AuthorsSTEPHEN HENDRICK is the vice president of research at the Linux Foundation,where he is the principal investigator on a variety of research projec

274、ts core to the Linux Foundations understanding of how OSS is an engine of innovation for producers and consumers of IT.Steve specializes in primary research techniques he has developed over 30 years as a software industry analyst.He is a subject matter expert in application development and deploymen

275、t topics,including DevOps,application management,and decision analytics.Steve brings experience in a variety of quantitative and qualitative research techniques that enable deep insight into market dynamics and has pioneered research across many application development and deployment domains.He has

276、authored over 1,000 publications and provided market guidance through syndicated research and custom consulting to the worlds leading software vendors and high-profile startups.RANNY HAIBY is in charge of driving technical innovation further,creating opportunities for synergies among open source pro

277、jects,and identifying emerging trends and projects.Ranny is a software veteran who has been focusing on pushing the envelope in open source innovation in recent years.Prior to joining the Linux Foundation Ranny was a director at Samsung Research America,leading the open source group.He provided lead

278、ership and guidance for engineering teams across Samsung who were actively contributing to open source projects such as ONAP,CNCF,ROS,and Matter(CHIP).AcknowledgmentsWe thank all the participants of the survey for kindly sharing their insights and experience.Special thanks to the peer reviewers and

279、Linux Foundation colleagues for their involvement in the various stages of the research process,including Elizabeth Bushard,Hilary Carter,Mia Chaszeyka,Ranny Haiby,Anna Hermansen,Arpit Joshipura,Adrienn Lawson,Jill Lovato,and Christina Oliviero.41THE 2025 OPEN SOURCE NETWORKING STUDYCopyright 2025 T

280、he Linux FoundationThis report is licensed under the Creative Commons Attribution-NoDerivatives 4.0 International Public License.To reference this work,please cite as follows:Stephen Hendrick and Ranny Haiby,“The 2025 Open Source Networking Study:The Role and Value of Open Source in the Networking I

281、ndustrys Software Stack,”foreword by Arpit Joshipura,The Linux Foundation,April Linux Foundation Networking(LF Networking,LFN)is the largest set of open source networking projects in the world.A broad industry coalition form LF Networking with the goal of fostering a commercial-ready networking ecos

282、ystem that embraces open,emerging,and evolving technologies.Now in its eighth year as an umbrella organization,LF Networking software and projects provide the foundations for network infrastructure and services across service providers,cloud providers,enterprises,vendors,and system integrators that

283、enable rapid interoperability,deployment and adoption.Founded in 2021,Linux Foundation Research explores the growing scale of open source collaboration,providing insight into emerging technology trends,best practices,and the global impact of open source projects.Through leveraging project databases and networks and a commitment to best practices in quantitative and qualitative methodologies,LF Research is creating the go-to library for open source insights for the benefit of organizations the world over.