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FBOSS SW Architecture

FBOSS (Facebook Open Switching System) is a software stack that runs on the x86 CPU of a network switch. It is designed to be modular, scalable, and flexible, allowing for easy integration with various hardware platforms. The FBOSS software architecture consists of multiple micro-services that work together to provide a comprehensive networking solution.

FBOSS SW Architecture

Components​

  1. Platform Manager Manages the low-level device setup and management. More info here.

  2. Agent Responsible for managing the forwarding switch ASIC / NPU.

  3. QSFP Service Manages transceivers and external PHYs.

  4. LED Service Controls the front panel port LEDs.

  5. Sensor Service Collects data from various onboard (temperature, voltage, current, and power) sensors and exposes them to FSDB.

  6. Fan Service Subscribes to sensor data from FSDB and programs Fan PWM to ensure system thermal health.

  7. Data Corral Service Detects FRU presence and programs LEDs to indicate the presence.

FBOSS Command Line Interfaces (CLIs)​

  1. fboss2 Provides the ability to inspect and modify the state of the switch through show, set, clear options.

  2. wedge_qsfp_util Communicates with qsfp_service over Thrift to inspect and modify the state of transceivers. In the absence of qsfp_service, wedge_qsfp_util can directly communicate with transceivers using the BSP drivers.

  3. fw_util Provides the ability to upgrade firmware of all the FPDs (Field Programmable Device), including BIOS, FPGA, CPLD, etc.

  4. weutil Reads FRU EEPROMs, parses contents, and prints human-readable information, such as serial number, product name, etc.