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 Importance of Open Source and Compileable Code

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.

Legal and Ethical Foundations

International Precedents Supporting Open Source

• The European Union’s Free Software Directive (EU-FOSSA) emphasizes the importance of security through transparency and endorses open-source initiatives in government and enterprise software.
• The United States Federal Source Code Policy (M-16-21) requires government agencies to release at least 20% of custom-developed code as open source, encouraging community collaboration and reuse.
• China’s Ministry of Industry and Information Technology (MIIT) has repeatedly emphasized the importance of reducing dependence on proprietary software and increasing contributions to global open-source projects.
• The World Intellectual Property Organization (WIPO) acknowledges the role of open-source licensing in fostering innovation and economic growth, highlighting its compatibility with sustainable business practices.
• U.N. Resolutions on Technology Access stress the importance of equitable access to technological advancements, which is impossible without open-source contributions from major players in the industry.

A Call to Action for Hardware and Software Companies

1. Commit to Open Standards: Ensure that hardware and software are developed with open standards to maximize interoperability and user freedom.
2. Provide Full, Compileable Source Code: Move beyond releasing minimal patch files and allow full access to source code so that researchers, developers, and enterprises can independently verify, audit, and improve systems.
3. Recognize That Open Source Is Profitable: The best products will always win in the market, and embracing open-source models can lead to robust, sustainable business strategies rather than reliance on restrictive licensing.
4. Join Global Open-Source Initiatives: Actively contribute to the broader community rather than developing isolated, proprietary solutions that limit technological progress.

Building the Future Together

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)