The Versa Operating System (VOS™) is the specialized, carrier-grade network operating system that provides the core routing, security, and SD-WAN functionalities of the Versa solution. It is designed to run on the control and data plane components of the architecture. Specifically, VOS powers the Versa Controller for control plane management, the Versa SD-WAN CPE (branch appliances), and the Versa SD-WAN Gateways (data center/cloud appliances). These three components form the network fabric that forwards and secures traffic based on centrally managed policies. In contrast, Versa Director and Versa Analytics are management and visibility platforms that run as applications on general-purpose operating systems (e.g., Linux) within virtual machines.

A. Versa Director: This is the management and orchestration platform. It runs as an application on a standard operating system, not the VOS network OS.

C. Versa Analytics: This is the data collection and visibility platform. It runs as an application on a standard operating system, not the VOS network OS.

1. Versa Networks

"Versa Operating System™ (VOS™) Data Sheet": This document states

"Versa Operating System (VOS) is the heart of Versa SASE

powering Versa Secure SD-WAN and Versa SASE Gateways with a broad set of networking and security functions." This confirms VOS runs on the data plane elements (CPE and Gateways). (Reference: Page 1

"Introduction" section).

2. Versa Networks

"Versa Secure SD-WAN Solution Overview": Architectural diagrams in this overview consistently depict the Versa Controller as the "SD-WAN Control Plane" and the branch/hub sites (CPEs/Gateways) as the "Data Plane

" both of which are powered by VOS. The Versa Director and Versa Analytics are shown separately as the "Management

Orchestration

and Visibility" planes

which are distinct software platforms. (Reference: Architectural diagrams

typically found on pages 2-3).

3. Versa Networks

"SASE for Dummies

Versa Special Edition" by L. Chappell: Chapter 3

"Looking at the Versa SASE Architecture

" describes the components. It clarifies that VOS is the software that "runs on the Versa Cloud Gateways and on the CPE at the branch edge." It also describes the Versa Controller as the "brains of the control plane

" which is also a VOS-based instance responsible for routing and policy distribution. The roles of Director and Analytics are defined as management and visibility

separate from the VOS-powered network fabric. (Reference: Chapter 3

"The Versa SASE components" section).