The open source StarlingX project announced its 12.0 release.

The project’s cloud infrastructure software stack bundles components such as Kubernetes, Linux, and optional OpenStack into a single platform for edge deployments.

StarlingX 12.0 expands the platform beyond its telecom roots into a broader enterprise-ready distributed cloud offering.

The release introduces a unified authentication system using a single OpenID Connect (OIDC) proxy, replacing a previously “fragmented” approach, and adds partial timing support (PTS) for precision time protocol, allowing timing capabilities to work in environments where not all components support PTP.

StarlingX 12.0 updates its core stack with a newer Linux kernel, support for Kubernetes up to version 1.34, and OpenStack Epoxy. It also expands hardware and storage support, including NetApp integration alongside Ceph.

Operational improvements focus on simplifying system management, upgrades, and distributed deployments through enhancements to its Unified Software Management framework. Backup, restore, and sub-cloud onboarding processes have also been streamlined to reduce downtime and manual steps.

The release furthers StarlingX’s goal of broadening its client base, after the project was updated in November with an edge security focus.

“While StarlingX has its roots in the high-stakes world of telecommunications, version 12.0 solidifies its position as a general-use distributed cloud platform capable of supporting any enterprise looking to master the deployment and operations of their cloud infrastructure,” an April announcement from the company says.

Vodafone previously endorsed the framework by tapping software vendor Wind River to support its European open radio access network (RAN) efforts, with Wind River’s cloud platform based on StarlingX. Wind River’s CTO told SDxCentral the platform gave the likes of VMware, Red Hat, and Amazon Web Services (AWS) a run for their money when it was selected by Boost Mobile to replace VMware as the carrier’s container-as-a-service (CaaS) provider.