The Cisco Open NX-OS software is designed to allow administrators to manage a switch such as a Linux device. The Open NX-OS software stack addresses a number of functional areas to address the needs of a DevOps-driven automation and programmability framework.

• Auto Deployment (Bootstrap and Provisioning): Cisco Open NX-OS supports a robust network bootstrapping and provisioning capability with Power-On Auto Provisioning (POAP). Open NX-OS can utilize Pre-boot eXecution Environment (PXE) to facilitate the boot process and initial configuration of a Nexus switch.
• Extensibility: Open NX-OS enables access to the Linux bash shell as well as the use of package managers. The user can install native RPMs and third-party applications running processes as they would on a Linux server. Supporting RPM-based packages provides the ability to load only the services or packages required. The level of extensibility in Open NX-OS ensures that third-party daemons and packages (such as routing protocols) can be supported. Third-party monitoring tools like tcollector are supported on the platform.
• Open Interfaces: Open NX-OS adds the ability to leverage Linux tools for configuration, monitoring and troubleshooting. Front panel ports of a switch can be manipulated as native Linux interfaces. Tools like ifconfig and tcpdump can be used as they would be in a server environment for troubleshooting and configuration.
• Application Development (Adaptable SDK): Open NX-OS provides a tool chain to build custom packages and agents. Open NX-OS has published an extensive SDK to enable a build environment that can be installed on a Linux server. This provides the ability to download a build agent that will incorporate the source code in the local directory structure. The SDK allows administrators to build and package binaries for use on Open NX-OS. Applications have two deployment options: they can be installed natively into the Linux filesystem, or deployed in an LXC container.