Networking equipment provider D-Link Systems released a new line of bare metal switches for enterprise, service provider, and data center applications. The switches are based on open networking standards, providing users with a choice of third-party operating systems and software options.

For example, Pluribus Networks added D-Link as an open networking partner. Pluribus’ Netvisor operating system was certified to run on D-Link’s open networking hardware platforms. The operating system provides a Layer 2 and Layer 3 networking fabric foundation that virtualizes the switch hardware to support applications.

As part of this partnership, D-Link will integrate and resell the combined product to distributors and online retailers. However, the bare metal switch is also offered as a standalone solution that can be paired with software from other providers.

D-Link’s open architecture and port density lines it up to run data center or enterprise applications, or as part of a leaf-spine architecture. The line of switches is scheduled to begin shipping next month through D-Link’s network of channel partners and resellers. The company plans to develop additional open network switches supporting 25 Gb/s, 40 Gb/s, and 100 Gb/s interfaces.

With this new line of switches, D-Link is competing with the likes of suppliers that have worked on various open source projects like the Open Compute Project (OCP). About 11 different switch suppliers have worked with OCP to get their products OCP-certified. Those include Edgecore, Alpha Networks, Mellanox, and Barefoot Networks.