Open source adoption is quite mature at the application level, often to the point of invisibility. The use of open source in infrastructure is far newer, and subject to many myths and much confusion, from expected cost savings to technical investment required. In the absence of understanding how to evaluate and consume open source options, many enterprises have defaulted to wholly proprietary solutions from their existing vendors, in spite of their desire for greater purchasing flexibility. In this talk, Lisa Caywood, OpenDaylight Director of Ecosystem Development, will discuss:
- How to evaluate the health and outlook of an open-source infrastructure project
- What "free" means?
- Acquisition options, from download/compile to shrink-wrapped solutions
- How and why to work with vendors
- What to look for in commercial open source solutions
- Advantages of upstream involvement
