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SPECIFICTION
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Faucet

faucet.nz

LinuxSelf-hosted
Visit faucet.nz
Spec score 7.3 #10 of 26 in Software-Defined Networking Software

What it is

Faucet is a free, open-source OpenFlow controller for network operators managing production networks and OpenFlow hardware. It moves routing, neighbour discovery and switching algorithms into vendor-independent server software with a centralised control plane. Faucet controls OpenFlow 1.3.x switches with multiple tables and group tables, supporting VLANs, IPv4 and IPv6, static and BGP routing, access control lists, port mirroring and switch stacking. Policy-based forwarding can offload processing to external systems, including 802.1X through hostapd. YAML provides network configuration, with a documented command for checking configuration before loading it. Installation options include pip3, apt-get and Docker; the guide places Faucet with Gauge, Prometheus and Grafana, while InfluxDB supplies time-series statistics. TLS can protect the switch control channel, and fail-secure or fail-standalone modes are available. High availability uses redundant controllers with matching configuration but no shared state. Faucet runs on Linux and self-hosted deployments and is licensed under Apache-2.0.

Spec sheet

Product
Faucet is an open-source OpenFlow controller for production networks that moves network control functions into vendor-independent server software.Read 7 Oct 2026 · faucet.nz
Intended users
The maker presents Faucet for network operators managing production networks and OpenFlow hardware.Read 7 Oct 2026 · faucet.nz
Integrations
The documentation lists integrations including doveSnap, pipette, Poseidon, DAQ, Forch, and a GNS3 Faucet appliance.Read 7 Oct 2026 · docs.faucet.nz
Security
The switch control channel can use TLS on a dedicated port, and switches can use fail-secure or fail-standalone behavior.Read 7 Oct 2026 · faucet.nz
Support
Users can ask questions and request features through the mailing list, and report issues through GitHub.Read 7 Oct 2026 · faucet.nz
License
The project repository identifies Faucet as licensed under Apache-2.0.Read 7 Oct 2026 · github.com
Availability
The site describes high availability using redundant controllers with the same configuration, without shared state or inter process communication.Read 7 Oct 2026 · faucet.nz
Configuration
Network configuration uses YAML, and the documentation provides a command to check configuration before loading it.Read 7 Oct 2026 · docs.faucet.nz
Deployment model
The installation guide describes installing and configuring Faucet on a host alongside Gauge, Prometheus, and Grafana.Read 7 Oct 2026 · docs.faucet.nz
Hardware support
Faucet supports OpenFlow 1.3.x switches with multiple tables and group tables; vendor-specific pipelines such as Broadcom OFDPA are not supported.Read 7 Oct 2026 · faucet.nz
High availability
The maker describes high availability by running redundant controllers on separate hardware with the same configuration, without state sharing between them.Read 7 Oct 2026 · faucet.nz
How it works
It moves network control functions such as routing, neighbor discovery, and switching algorithms to vendor independent server based software.Read 7 Oct 2026 · faucet.nz
Installation
The maker says Faucet can be installed with pip3, apt-get, or Docker.Read 7 Oct 2026 · faucet.nz
Monitoring
Faucet supports Grafana dashboards, Prometheus monitoring and instrumentation, and InfluxDB time-series statistics.Read 7 Oct 2026 · faucet.nz
Network features
The listed features include VLANs, IPv4 and IPv6, static and BGP routing, ACLs, port mirroring, and switch stacking.Read 7 Oct 2026 · faucet.nz
Notable limit
Faucet connects to a single RADIUS server and does not support RADIUS accounting or multiple RADIUS servers.Read 7 Oct 2026 · docs.faucet.nz
Policy forwarding
Policy-based forwarding can offload processing to external systems, including 802.1X via hostapd.Read 7 Oct 2026 · faucet.nz
Supported systems
The documentation lists Debian 10+, Raspbian 10+, Raspberry Pi OS 11+, and Ubuntu 18.04+ for its apt repository.Read 7 Oct 2026 · docs.faucet.nz
Switch support
Faucet controls hardware supporting OpenFlow 1.3.x with multiple tables; vendor specific pipelines such as Broadcom OFDPA are not supported.Read 7 Oct 2026 · faucet.nz
Switching and routing
It supports VLANs, IPv4 and IPv6, static and BGP routing, access control lists, port mirroring, and switch stacking.Read 7 Oct 2026 · faucet.nz

Strong points and limits

Strong points

  • Free and open-source under Apache-2.0
  • Supports OpenFlow 1.3.x switches
  • Includes VLAN, IPv4, IPv6 and BGP features
  • Grafana, Prometheus and InfluxDB monitoring
  • TLS and redundant-controller options

Limits

  • Broadcom OFDPA pipelines are not supported
  • Connects to one RADIUS server
  • No RADIUS accounting or multiple RADIUS servers
  • High availability does not share controller state

Who it suits

It suits network operators running Linux-based, self-hosted production networks with compatible OpenFlow hardware. Teams needing VLAN, routing, policy and monitoring functions can configure them in YAML.

Verdict

Faucet provides a broad, self-hosted control plane for supported OpenFlow networks. Check switch pipeline compatibility and RADIUS limitations before deployment.

Where Specifiction places it

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