#None #Brussels #Sylva Project #Telco Cloud #Host Based Routing

Sylva Project Accelerates Telco Cloud Innovation

The Sylva Project, backed by the Linux Foundation Europe, has made noteworthy strides in the domain of telco cloud technology. On July 31, 2025, it announced its latest innovation, the Host Based Routing (HBR). This advancement is set to simplify the integration of complex network functions and enhance data center connectivity.

With the release of Sylva v1.4, the project is not only introducing new features that boost modularity and security but also focuses on lifecycle automation in telco environments. Among the significant developments is TIM's entry as a Premier sponsor, joined by AMD, Whitestack, and Wind River as General sponsors. This influx of support marks an important phase in the growth of the Sylva community, emphasizing its collaborative strength in shaping the future of telco cloud infrastructures.

Addressing Complexity in Telco Environments

In cloud-native setups, managing Kubernetes clusters is largely automated. However, the underlying data center networks often fall prey to manual and error-prone configurations. This issue is further amplified in telco domains where intricate, tailored connections with legacy systems are common. The introduction of HBR seeks to bridge this gap.

HBR integrates Kubernetes clusters directly with EVPN/VXLAN network fabrics through containerized routing agents and BGP, offering a streamlined methodology for achieving full network automation post-deployment. This integration promises to eliminate the need to modify physical network configurations after rolling out services, drastically simplifying operations.

Originally conceived by Deutsche Telekom and based on Free Range Routing (FRR), HBR has already been operational since 2022 across numerous bare metal clusters supporting crucial workloads like 5G SA Core. The Sylva initiative aims to expand the reach of HBR within its ecosystem via proof-of-concept collaborations with substantial organizations such as Orange and 6WIND.

Guillaume Nevicato, co-chair of the technical steering committee for the Sylva Project, highlighted that HBR allows for network routing to be managed declaratively, offering pods across different VLANs the ability to communicate without the cumbersome setup of switch configurations.

Features and Improvements in Sylva v1.4

Alongside the breakthrough with Host Based Routing, Sylva v1.4 comes packed with enhancements targeting

• - Modularity: A refined architecture ensures seamless integration with new Cluster API providers like Canonical Kubernetes and OpenNebula.
• - 5G Support: Enhancements in SR-IOV and CNI bonding alongside a new egress gateway built on Calico bolster 5G readiness.
• - Security Upgrades: New features such as node firewalling and NeuVector integrations are outlined for added security in workload management.
• - Operational UX Enhancements: The introduction of Kunai, a GUI/API interface, aims to segregate infrastructure management from overall service management, enhancing user experience.
• - Resilience Tools: Tools for backup and restoration of management clusters have also been introduced, ensuring operational continuity.
• - Tech Previews: GitOps integrations and support for various distributions of Ubuntu Kubernetes are among the project’s future directions.

Moreover, the project has made provisions for immutable OS support, illustrating its commitment to edge deployments.

Open Collaboration and Upcoming Events

Sylva’s community is augmented with the addition of new sponsors, highlights include:

• - TIM as a Premier Sponsor, emphasizing its commitment to advancing telco cloud technologies.
• - Wind River, AMD, and Whitestack have also pledged support, with a focus on aligning their expertise with Sylva’s open source model.

The Sylva project is set to host the Sylva Summit Europe on August 28, 2025, in Amsterdam, Netherlands. This event promises to be a pivotal gathering for telco professionals and developers eager to explore the latest in open source telco infrastructure.

Quotes from industry leaders underscore the excitement surrounding Sylva’s breakthroughs, emphasizing collaboration as key to accelerating innovation and simplifying deployments.

Conclusion

The Sylva Project stands at the forefront of telco cloud innovation, providing a cohesive platform that addresses the intricacies of modern network infrastructure. With continued support from industry leaders and a commitment to open collaboration, Sylva is actively shaping the future of scalable and secure telco cloud ecosystems.