Home > Networking Solutions > Enterprise/Data Center Networking Solutions > Enterprise SONiC Networking Solutions > Guides > Zero Touch Deployment of Open Dell Switches with SONiC > Solution overview
SONiC has become a standard for open-source networking, similar to how Linux has become an operating system of choice for application serving. SONiC has all the ingredients to fit in a NetDevOps culture. Cloud native architecture, open-sourced, unmodified Debian Linux, purpose build for commodity hardware, and a broad set of API control elements give SONiC the ideal networking operating system to use as a foundation in your infrastructure. All you need is to unlock the Zero touch deployment (ZTD) capabilities of the network switch and the operating system to optimize network staging and life-cycle management.
Dell Technologies has embraced open-source networking on their network switches by delivering an enterprise-grade version of SONiC. With this initiative, customers can benefit from an open-source network operating system with enterprise-grade quality and support.
This whitepaper explains how to install a Dell network switch with the SONiC operating system by using ZTD functionality. You will learn how to get a factory default switch up and running with SONiC in a matter of minutes. You will also be able to equip your environment with SONiC-based network switches and establish an operational environment at scale with central management. Firmware installation, firmware upgrades and downgrades, and base configuration installation is all available with ZTD.
This whitepaper includes zero touch provisioning (ZTP) examples, diagnostics, and monitoring screenshots. After finishing this guide, you will feel confident in your understanding of ZTD on SONiC, and you can decide for yourself that this is a valuable addition to your network infrastructure.
Note: Zero touch deployment (ZTD) and zero touch provisioning (ZTP) are used interchangeably. Both have the same meaning.