Communications networks are very different from other kinds of computing applications. Networks require both very high reliability and very high performance. Not only must they process large volumes of data at high speed, but they must do so while limiting their downtime to minutes per year. Network failures can have huge economic consequences and can even result in the loss of life. Additionally, in this post-9/11 world, failure also has a national security dimension. On top of all this, providers are under pressure to lower costs and become more efficient in their operations.

This technical whitepaper introduces MontaVista Linux Carrier Grade Edition—what it is, how it evolved, and how it provides a foundation for developing and deploying carrier-grade applications like those described above.