Open Networking Gains Momentum: IONOS Overhauls Infrastructure with VyOS

NEW YORK, NY – November 19, 2025

Scaling for the Future: IONOS Embraces Open Source

IONOS, one of Europe’s largest hosting and cloud providers, has completed a significant overhaul of its Bare Metal platform, replacing proprietary networking solutions with VyOS, an open-source network operating system. The move, announced this week, represents a strategic investment in scalability, resilience, and cost efficiency, and highlights the growing acceptance of open-source alternatives in demanding cloud environments. The company, serving over 6.4 million customers, aims to enhance its ability to deliver robust and flexible infrastructure solutions, particularly as demand for cloud services continues to surge across Europe.

“The traditional networking model often locks providers into expensive, inflexible systems,” explains one industry analyst. “IONOS’s decision demonstrates a willingness to embrace a more modern approach, and it’s a signal that open networking is maturing rapidly.”

Beyond Proprietary Systems: A Shift in Network Architecture

For years, IONOS relied on an InfiniBand-based network to provide high-speed, low-latency connectivity for its Bare Metal platform. While this architecture served its purpose, it presented limitations in scalability and introduced potential single points of failure. The transition to VyOS, combined with the adoption of technologies like RoCEv2 and Enterprise SONiC, represents a fundamental shift towards a more distributed and resilient network design.

This change isn’t merely about swapping hardware or software; it's about re-architecting the entire networking layer. Previously, IONOS needed intermediary conversion hardware to translate traffic between its InfiniBand network and the broader internet. By adopting a more open and standardized approach, they’ve streamlined their operations and reduced complexity.

The deployment involved integrating hundreds of VyOS instances and has reportedly resulted in aggregate speeds reaching hundreds of Gbps, with peak throughput reaching 20 Gbps and 1.5 million packets per second. While independent verification of these specific performance numbers remains limited, sources confirm a noticeable improvement in overall network performance and stability.

The Rise of Open Networking: A Growing Ecosystem

The IONOS-VyOS partnership is emblematic of a broader trend sweeping the networking industry. For decades, the market was dominated by a handful of large, proprietary vendors. However, the emergence of open-source networking solutions like VyOS, Cumulus Linux, and SONiC is disrupting the status quo.

“Enterprises are increasingly recognizing the benefits of open-source networking, including greater flexibility, cost savings, and the ability to customize their infrastructure to meet their specific needs,” says one network engineer. “The fact that a provider the size of IONOS is making this move is a strong validation of the technology.”

The appeal of open-source extends beyond mere cost savings. It also fosters innovation by enabling operators to customize and extend their networking infrastructure without being constrained by the limitations of proprietary systems. The open-source model also promotes collaboration and knowledge sharing within the networking community.

However, adopting open-source networking isn’t without its challenges. Operators need to have the skills and expertise to deploy, manage, and troubleshoot these systems. Integration with existing infrastructure can also be complex. “It’s not a plug-and-play solution,” cautions one IT consultant. “It requires careful planning and execution.”

The market is responding with a growing ecosystem of tools, services, and support resources to help organizations overcome these challenges. Companies like VyOS Networks are offering commercial support and training services to complement their open-source software. Additionally, several vendors are building network hardware designed to work seamlessly with open-source networking solutions.

The increasing demand for cloud services and the growing adoption of technologies like containerization and microservices are further accelerating the adoption of open networking. Operators need to be able to scale their networks quickly and efficiently to meet the demands of these dynamic workloads. Open networking provides the flexibility and agility needed to achieve this. “The traditional networking model simply can’t keep up with the pace of innovation,” says another industry observer. “Open networking is the future.”

“The cloud infrastructure landscape is becoming more competitive,” notes one financial analyst. “IONOS’s investment in open networking is a strategic move to position itself for long-term success.”