The versatile command line interface in Linux is one of its main appeals for administrators, but a comparable control mechanism is largely lacking from the versions of the operating system that are used to power data center switches.

Or at least until today. Cumulus Networks Inc. this morning introduced a new release of its Linux-based switching platform that packs a native command line management utility called NCLU. According to the startup, the tool provides a centralized interface for controlling network operations. It follows the same core syntax conventions as other Linux distributors so to lower the learning curve for administrators and provides visual pointers that aim to ease maintenance work even further.

Among other, NCLU flags typos and offers configuration suggestions for complicated tasks. Cumulus says that administrators can use the tool for everything from tweaking their network topologies to applying patches. Moreover, it’s now also possible to quickly undo changes in an event of an issue thanks to a new rollback feature that is rolling out in conjunction.

The capability allows administrators to periodically create snapshots of their companies’ network configurations and revert to a previous copy if something breaks. It aims to kill two birds with one stone, cutting the amount of work involved in fixing operational mistakes while reducing the disruption to the affected users.

These management features are joined by support for a couple of new networking technologies meant to broaden the appeal of Cumulus’ platform. The first is Protocol-Independent Multicast, a type of routing protocol geared aimed at helping network operators efficiently distribute data to multiple endpoints. It’s typically employed for tasks such as serving real-time video streams and sharing market intelligence.

The other new supported feature is the ability to create so-called Ethernet Virtual Private Networks, which is currently in preview. It makes it possible to link different locations such as a company’s headquarters and its branch offices without having to use the proprietary controllers that are normally needed for the task. As a result, companies can not only reduce hardware expenses but also simplify their networks and make them easier to scale in the process.

Cumulus hopes that the new features in the release will enable it to target a wider range of potential customers. The startup claims that its platform is already used by more than 500 organizations including cloud provider DreamHost and Japanese telecommunications giant NTT Corp.

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