Aviz Networks details FTAS 2.0 for automated multi-vendor SONiC testing

Aviz Networks describes FTAS as an automated way to apply standardized quality testing across multi-vendor Community SONiC deployments, using SONiC CLI-based test cases and a platform-independent plus platform-dependent suite. The update matters to enterprise IT and security leaders because it targets repeatable switch validation in NetDevOps workflows and multi-vendor lab environments.

Research Overview

The post frames a challenge in Community SONiC: organizations need consistent quality assurance across diverse implementations without treating SONiC as a proprietary platform. It presents FTAS as the mechanism to standardize automated test cases across vendors.

It also links FTAS evolution to broader support for different customer requirements within the Community SONiC ecosystem, culminating in a release labeled FTAS 2.0.

Key Findings

FTAS uses SONiC’s command-line interface to automate test cases across switch vendors, with the goal of aligning switch behavior to specific customer requirements. The post states the suite supports a one-click quality check approach for vendor switches.

It further describes FTAS test-case organization into platform-independent and platform-dependent categories to handle differences in show command outputs and feature support across switches.

Technical Breakdown

The FTAS architecture emphasizes consistent execution and analysis using SONiC CLI. The post says the suite supports in-depth fabric analysis by using the CLI to inspect switch behavior and fabric interactions.

For automation delivery, it describes compatibility with Jenkins for CI/CD testing and states support for both physical switches and GNS3-based virtual appliances. It also says FTAS provides HTML execution reports that include comprehensive logs for test-result transparency.

Operational Impact

The post describes an end-to-end process for optimizing test cases across the SONiC ecosystem: selecting test cases for automation based on customer use cases, running cross-platform validation in Aviz lab environments, and categorizing outcomes into PI and PD suites. It lists Cisco, NVIDIA, Edgecore, and Wistron among platforms included in the cross-platform testing described.

It positions FTAS as usable for proof of concept testing as a subscription service and for CI/CD lab management to support NetDevOps workflows. The post also says the suite is meant for both switch vendors during research and development and end customers during evaluation and deployment testing.

Product Update

The post highlights FTAS 2.0 as a release focused on making existing use cases more robust, adding new test cases, and adding platforms for higher speeds, feeds, and new ASICs or platforms. It also says FTAS 2.0 increases flexibility so custom test cases can run.

For ongoing enhancement, the post describes FTAS as continuously integrating new use cases, platforms, and community updates, and it points to release details in an external “what’s new” page.

Overall, the post presents FTAS and FTAS 2.0 as CLI-driven, automated SONiC switch test suites that standardize vendor validation through categorized test cases and reporting, with Jenkins and lab use cases for NetDevOps and POC testing. This “Blog Signals brief” is a fact-based summary of the vendor blog.