YOU ARE AT:Software-defined networks (SDN)Dan Pitt leaves ONF; Rick Bauer to lead SDN organization

Dan Pitt leaves ONF; Rick Bauer to lead SDN organization

ONF was formed in 2011, focused on adoption of SDN platforms using OpenFlow and open technologies; counts DT, Google, Verizon as founding members

The Open Networking Foundation lost its executive director as Dan Pitt left the nonprofit organization, which is focused on the adoption of software-defined networking platforms using OpenFlow and open SDN technologies.

“The ONF board and membership thank Dan for his contributions to the organization and his global work in putting SDN and the work of ONF on the map,” the organization noted in a statement.

Pitt had been head of the organization since its founding in 2011 by a handful of technology and telecom heavyweights, including Deutsche Telekom, Facebook, Google, Microsoft, Verizon Communications and Yahoo. The organization has since grown to more than 130 members.

ONF earlier this year unveiled its Atrium open solution with support for the Linux Foundation’s OpenDaylight platform. Pitt discussed the benefits of the platform and ongoing work at ONF as part of the RCR Wireless News NFV/SDN Reality Check video show.

Rick Bauer, who serves as ONF’s technical director, is taking over the executive director position on an interim basis.

“Rick led a team to develop ONF’s SDN Skills Certification program from the ground up and has been instrumental in the development of OpenSourceSDN.org, the ONF’s open source software development community,” ONF stated. “His familiarity with the organization and the industry will ensure that ONF remains focused on the growth and commercialization of SDN.”

The skills certification program was launched late last year in a move to bolster support for software-defined networking platforms. ONF said the program is designed to “provide a strong foundation of vendor-neutral, concept and technical-level credentials in open SDN that can integrate with and complement individual vendor certifications in networking technologies or programming languages. The beta examinations are based on best practices illustrated in a variety of independent learning and training programs, and they are designed to evolve alongside the SDN ecosystem.”

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