advocating for Open Source and Compileable Code in Hardware and Software Development

[Volkan SALiH <volkan.salih.06 () gmail com>]

*Subject:* Advocating for Open Source and Compileable Code in Hardware 
and Software Development

*Dear NANOG Community,*

As we navigate an era of rapid technological advancement, collaboration 
and openness in hardware and software development are more critical than 
ever. It has come to our attention that personnel from Huawei, 
Futurewei, and ZTE may be subscribed to this list or, at the very least, 
following the archives. This message serves as a call to action for all 
stakeholders, urging them to prioritize open-source principles and 
ensure that source code is not merely released as patch files but in a 
fully *compileable* and accessible form.


   *The Importance of Open Source and Compileable Code*

The future will arrive swiftly, but the only way to get there is 
*together*. *Development is the only path forward*, and a truly 
interconnected world cannot be built on closed ecosystems that limit 
innovation and transparency. Open-source software and hardware do not 
mean that profitability is impossible—on the contrary, history has shown 
that the best solutions win in the long run. Companies such as *Red 
Hat*, *Raspberry Pi*, and others have successfully built sustainable 
business models while embracing openness.

Restricting access to complete, compileable source code creates barriers 
that stifle security research, hinder innovation, and lead to vendor 
lock-in, ultimately harming users and the broader industry. The digital 
infrastructure that powers the world today, from the backbone of the 
internet to mission-critical enterprise systems, thrives on transparency 
and collaboration.


   *Legal and Ethical Foundations*


     *International Precedents Supporting Open Source*

 * The *European Union’s Free Software Directive (EU-FOSSA)* emphasizes
   the importance of security through transparency and endorses
   open-source initiatives in government and enterprise software.
 * The *United States Federal Source Code Policy (M-16-21)* requires
   government agencies to release at least 20% of custom-developed code
   as open source, encouraging community collaboration and reuse.
 * *China’s Ministry of Industry and Information Technology (MIIT)* has
   repeatedly emphasized the importance of reducing dependence on
   proprietary software and increasing contributions to global
   open-source projects.
 * The *World Intellectual Property Organization (WIPO)* acknowledges
   the role of open-source licensing in fostering innovation and
   economic growth, highlighting its compatibility with sustainable
   business practices.
 * *U.N. Resolutions on Technology Access* stress the importance of
   equitable access to technological advancements, which is impossible
   without open-source contributions from major players in the industry.


   *A Call to Action for Hardware and Software Companies*

1. *Commit to Open Standards*: Ensure that hardware and software are
   developed with open standards to maximize interoperability and user
   freedom.
2. *Provide Full, Compileable Source Code*: Move beyond releasing
   minimal patch files and allow full access to source code so that
   researchers, developers, and enterprises can independently verify,
   audit, and improve systems.
3. *Recognize That Open Source Is Profitable*: The best products will
   always win in the market, and embracing open-source models can lead
   to robust, sustainable business strategies rather than reliance on
   restrictive licensing.
4. *Join Global Open-Source Initiatives*: Actively contribute to the
   broader community rather than developing isolated, proprietary
   solutions that limit technological progress.


   *Building the Future Together*

As global stakeholders, we must recognize that the *world is bigger than 
five nations* and that true innovation happens when barriers are 
removed, not when they are reinforced. *The internet, networks, and 
infrastructure we rely on are collective achievements, and their future 
must be built in the same spirit of cooperation.*

To our colleagues at Huawei, Futurewei, ZTE, and other major players in 
the industry: We urge you to embrace a philosophy of openness. The 
benefits—enhanced security, faster innovation, and increased trust—far 
outweigh the short-term gains of maintaining proprietary restrictions. 
*The future belongs to those who build it together.*

As a Chinese proverb wisely states, /"When the winds of change blow, 
some people build walls, others build windmills."/ Let us build 
windmills together and embrace a future driven by collaboration, not 
restriction.

Another ancient saying reminds us: /"A single spark can start a prairie 
fire."/ Transparency and open-source principles can ignite industry-wide 
innovation, fostering technological advancements for all.

Sincerely,
VOLKAN SALIH

SENIOR CONSULTANT / SPECIALIST

+90 540 415 5555

+90 540 489 9999

(LOOKING FORWARD TO HEAR FROM YOU ALL)

(BEST REGARDS AND BEST WISHES)