The open-source distributed cloud platform StarlingX has launched its significant update, version 12.0, introducing new features tailored for mixed-hardware edge deployments. This release includes precision timing support, which is crucial for synchronizing clocks across a distributed network, an essential aspect for 5G and Open Radio Access Network (O-RAN) infrastructures.
StarlingX 12.0 builds upon its predecessor, version 11.0, released in November. The platform integrates the Linux kernel, Kubernetes, OpenStack, and Ceph, facilitating hybrid edge and cloud deployment scenarios. Among the key enhancements in the new version are:
- Consolidated OIDC Authentication: This feature simplifies user management by replacing a dual-database system with a single OpenID Connect proxy that governs access across all platform interfaces.
- NetApp Storage Support: NetApp storage can now be utilized either as a standalone backend or alongside Ceph, increasing flexibility in storage solutions.
- Unified Software Management Improvements: Backup and restore processes are now simplified, reducing the need for full reinstalls and minimizing downtime.
- PTP Partial Timing Support (PTS): PTS enables precision timing across deployments even if not every node supports PTP-capable hardware, broadening the operational scope of the system.
Before the introduction of PTS, each node in a StarlingX deployment required specific hardware to support the Precision Time Protocol (PTP), which posed challenges in phased hardware rollouts. The new feature allows partial PTP capability, meaning that only a subset of network elements needs awareness while still enabling time distribution to non-PTP-compliant nodes. This shift creates opportunities for greater deployment flexibility without significant compromise on timing accuracy.
Precision timing requirements extend beyond telecommunications into sectors like industrial automation, financial services, and utilities, where sub-microsecond timing and coordination are critical for operations and safety.
Additionally, the consolidation of user authentication with OIDC streamlines security protocols, providing operators with a simplified and efficient way to manage user access across different interfaces of the platform.
Although StarlingX originated in telecom, the latest release strategically positions it as a versatile distributed cloud platform applicable to various industries, from industrial IoT to large data centers, reflecting the growing interest and demand beyond its initial scope. This evolution marks a clear shift toward broader adoption of StarlingX in diverse environments looking for a robust alternative to traditional cloud solutions.
