The operating system is back in focus for networking in 2026. Vendors are increasingly pitching their OS as the center of strategy, from security and management flexibility to multi-domain orchestration.
Why it matters: After years of device-centric thinking, a unified OS is gaining traction as a way to simplify operations, enforce security, and bridge cloud and on-premises infrastructure. For network teams, this could mean fewer interfaces to manage, more consistent policy enforcement, and faster adoption of AI-driven features.
What’s happening:
Fortinet is highlighting FortiOS as a single control plane for networking and security, emphasizing integrated telemetry and automation
Arista is promoting EOS as the foundation for both enterprise and cloud-scale networks
Cisco is rapidly converging its long-standing IOS XE to be the de-facto OS on all new campus and branch devices, offering the ability to manage devices from either the cloud or on-premises.
HPE, while largely focused on micro-services as a means of converging Aruba and Juniper, is expected to rationalize how the new joint portfolio operates in the coming quarters.
What’s next: The OS will increasingly define how networks are bought, managed, and automated. Enterprises must weigh whether to standardize around a single vendor OS for simplicity, or maintain multi-vendor flexibility to meet custom needs.
Takeaway: For network teams in 2026, the OS isn’t just software, it’s strategy. Evaluate which OS aligns with your operational goals, vendor ecosystem, and automation roadmap now, before multi-domain networks lock you into missed opportunities.
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Uplink provides news for those who build, run, and care about networks. Every week, we break down the moves, mergers, and technologies shaping the enterprise networking industry, so you know what matters and why.