SONiC Workshop Opening - Lihua Yuan, Xin Liu, Microsoft

Summary

The speaker welcomes attendees to a workshop in Seattle, highlighting the day's events and agenda. The workshop features 11 presentations covering a range of topics from software to hardware, with a focus on performance and user scenarios. Participants will engage in lightning talks and a hackathon with three awards for the most inventive, impactful, and user-wanted projects. The speaker discusses the transition of Sonic from OCP to the Linux Foundation, aiming to expand the community and strengthen collaboration across diverse technical fields. Board members and committees are introduced, and the session concludes with an introduction to the first speaker from Microsoft.

Takeaways

• 😀 The workshop is taking place in Seattle and aims to foster in-person collaboration among participants who have previously connected online.
• 😀 The morning session will feature 11 presentations covering various topics, including software, hardware, performance, and user scenarios.
• 😀 Due to limited space, only 11 presentations could be selected, but there will be future opportunities for others to showcase their work, such as through posters and publications.
• 😀 In the afternoon, around 20 teams will give lightning talks, each with a 5-minute presentation of their ideas and outcomes.
• 😀 Three awards will be presented: Most Inventive, Most Impactful, and Most User-Wanted, with a judging panel from five companies selecting the winners.
• 😀 Sonic has transitioned from OCP to the Linux Foundation, with a focus on expanding the community and building stronger connections between software and hardware development.
• 😀 The structure of the Sonic community is evolving, with a governing board, a Technical Steering Committee, and an Outreach Committee guiding the direction and growth of the project.
• 😀 The Technical Steering Committee (TSC) is responsible for technical leadership, managing releases, and resolving conflicts within the community.
• 😀 The Outreach Committee helps build the community's visibility and extend its ecosystem beyond its immediate sphere.
• 😀 There will be both in-person and online participation, with approximately 50 people attending the event remotely via Zoom and engaging through a moderator.
• 😀 Speakers are encouraged to arrive early to ensure a smooth transition between sessions and to accommodate both live and virtual attendees.

Q & A

What is the purpose of this event in Seattle?

The purpose of the event is to bring the community together for a workshop where participants can present their work, engage in discussions, and network in person after many virtual meetings.

What is the structure of the event today?

The event is divided into two main parts: the morning session will feature 11 presentations covering a variety of topics from software and hardware to performance and user scenarios. In the afternoon, around 20 teams will present their results in lightning talks, followed by a judging session for selecting winners.

Why are only 11 presentations being featured in the morning?

The event organizers had many great submissions but limited space, so only 11 presentations could be accepted. However, they promise to offer other ways for unselected submissions to be showcased, such as through posters or other forums.

How will the winners of the afternoon lightning talks be selected?

The winners will be selected by a panel of judges from five different companies. The awards will be given in three categories: Most Inventive, Most Impactful, and Most User-Wanted.

What updates were provided about the community's growth?

The community, specifically Sonic, has recently expanded from the OCP (Open Compute Project) to the Linux Foundation. This expansion aims to connect various sectors, including data centers, enterprises, and education, building a more robust ecosystem.

What organizational changes have been made to support the community's growth?

Sonic has established a more structured organization, with a governing board that defines vision, funding, and branding policies. Below the board, there are two key committees: the Technical Steering Committee for technical leadership and the Outreach Committee to promote the community.

Who are the key members of the community's governing board?

The key members of the governing board include Vijay, Francisco, and Dave, who were introduced at the event. They help define the vision and strategy for Sonic.

How is the community engaging with remote participants?

The event includes remote participants, with around 50 people joining via Zoom. Their questions will be moderated throughout the day, and some sessions are being recorded for viewers in China.

What logistical details were shared about the event setup?

The event features a complex setup, including in-person presentations and virtual participation. Organizers encouraged speakers to arrive early to ensure smooth transitions between sessions.

Who are the members of the technical and outreach committees?

Members of the Technical Steering Committee and the Outreach Committee, including Lucy from the Linux Foundation, were recognized during the event. They assist with the technical direction and community outreach efforts.