Subject: Advocating for Open Source and Compileable Code in Hardware and Software Development
Dear NANOG Community,
As we navigate an era of rapid technological advancement, collaboration and openness in hardware and software development are more critical than ever. It has come to our attention that personnel from Huawei, Futurewei, and ZTE may be subscribed to this list or, at the very least, following the archives. This message serves as a call to action for all stakeholders, urging them to prioritize open-source principles and ensure that source code is not merely released as patch files but in a fully compileable and accessible form.
The future will arrive swiftly, but the only way to get there is together. Development is the only path forward, and a truly interconnected world cannot be built on closed ecosystems that limit innovation and transparency. Open-source software and hardware do not mean that profitability is impossible—on the contrary, history has shown that the best solutions win in the long run. Companies such as Red Hat, Raspberry Pi, and others have successfully built sustainable business models while embracing openness.
Restricting access to complete, compileable source code creates barriers that stifle security research, hinder innovation, and lead to vendor lock-in, ultimately harming users and the broader industry. The digital infrastructure that powers the world today, from the backbone of the internet to mission-critical enterprise systems, thrives on transparency and collaboration.
As global stakeholders, we must recognize that the world is bigger than five nations and that true innovation happens when barriers are removed, not when they are reinforced. The internet, networks, and infrastructure we rely on are collective achievements, and their future must be built in the same spirit of cooperation.
To our colleagues at Huawei, Futurewei, ZTE, and other major players in the industry: We urge you to embrace a philosophy of openness. The benefits—enhanced security, faster innovation, and increased trust—far outweigh the short-term gains of maintaining proprietary restrictions. The future belongs to those who build it together.
As a Chinese proverb wisely states, "When the winds of change blow, some people build walls, others build windmills." Let us build windmills together and embrace a future driven by collaboration, not restriction.
Another ancient saying reminds us: "A single spark can start a prairie fire." Transparency and open-source principles can ignite industry-wide innovation, fostering technological advancements for all.
Sincerely,
VOLKAN SALIH
SENIOR CONSULTANT / SPECIALIST
+90 540 415 5555
+90 540 489 9999
(LOOKING FORWARD TO HEAR FROM YOU ALL)
(BEST REGARDS AND BEST WISHES)