Explore the current landscape of open network operating systems in this lightning talk that examines why there's limited practical discussion about software lifecycle management and open NOS adoption at NANOG despite significant coverage elsewhere, particularly regarding SONiC. Learn from senior networking expert Steve Ulrich of Arista Networks as he delves into the challenges facing this space and provides thoughtful insights to stimulate discussion. Drawing from extensive experience working with cloud customers at Arista Networks, Juniper Networks, and Cisco, gain valuable perspective on deploying networking technologies and platforms while understanding the key obstacles preventing wider adoption of open network operating systems.