Got an Idea for a Networked Linux App? Shoot for $100K

In mid-October, Cisco Systems quietly announced the start of a new contest, one which could have a big impact for any team of skilled Linux developers. How big? Try $50,000 for the winning team.

The contest is an international competition for developers to code a Linux-based application for Cisco's Application Extension Platform (AXP), which sits on the company's routers. Cisco is clearly looking to build interest in and an application pool for the AXP, and giving away $100 grand in total prize money is a pretty good way to kick-start the process.

It doesn't matter if you don't have access to an AXP device, because there's two phases to the project. In Phase I, teams will submit high-level proposals for their application idea. Idea submissions (up to 10) that past the criteria for being the most compelling will get to move on to Phase II, where finalists will be given access to the AXP via Cisco's Simulation Lab (if they need it) so they can develop for AXP on a Cisco Integrated Services Router (ISR).

Actually, what I found the most interesting is that Phase II projects don't have to specifically use ISR components. According to the contest's FAQ, you can "develop your application on a standalone Linux platform." If your idea does need to get at ISR tools, then Cisco will get you access to that device.

This is encouraging to me, since it highlights Cisco's desire to keep their platform as Linux-friendly as possible. This makes sense: instead of having to port something over to AXP, you can write an application for Linux once, then roll it over to a Cisco router as needed.

My colleague The VAR Guy highlights the key benefits of this strategy in a recent blog entry:

"Think of Cisco Integrated Service Routers (ISRs) as millions of dumb terminals. What if--with a little bit of magic--you could transform millions of dumb terminals into full-functioned PCs that run rich applications. Even better, what if those full-functioned PCs could be managed remotely? Sounds pretty compelling, right?"

Actually, Joe, there's no magic here... it's just Linux. One operating system, many platforms. Companies like Cisco have learned to take advantage of this notion and apply it as a very powerful technology and business model. While not everyone can drop loads of cash for a contest, I expect to see lots of sponsored application development projects out there in the near future.

For more information on this contest, visit the Cisco Think Inside the Box page.