ONAP
onap.org
What it is
ONAP is a free, open-source platform for designing, orchestrating, observing, and automating network and edge services. It supports lifecycle management for physical, virtual, and cloud-native network functions, with real-time, policy-driven orchestration. Design and runtime capabilities include implementation, analytics, monitoring, alarm and event correlation, and closed-loop automation for service optimization. Role-based access through the Portal Framework serves service designers and operations personnel. ONAP is modular, so users can select orchestration functions; its Operations Manager uses Kubernetes to deploy, monitor, and manage component lifecycles. Published blueprints cover 5G, virtual CPE, broadband, VoLTE, and cross-domain VPN services. A full deployment guide lists 224 GB RAM, 160 GB disk, and 112 vCores, while selected components can substantially reduce those requirements. ONAP supports deployment on Kubernetes on bare metal or environments such as OpenStack, Azure, and AWS. It runs across API, Linux, self-hosted, and web contexts. Free introductory training and a paid ONAP Fundamentals course are available.
Spec sheet
- What it does
- ONAP is an open source platform for real-time, policy-driven orchestration and automation of physical and virtual network functions, supporting service lifecycle management.Read 4 Oct 2026 · onap.org
- Purpose
- ONAP provides design, orchestration, observability, and automation of network and edge services for operators, cloud providers, and enterprises.Read 4 Oct 2026 · onap.org
- Intended users
- The platform is intended for network, software, IT, and cloud providers and developers; the homepage also names network operators, cloud providers, and enterprises.Read 4 Oct 2026 · onap.org
- Deployment
- ONAP is deployed on Kubernetes through the ONAP Operations Manager; official integration documentation describes Kubernetes on bare metal or environments such as OpenStack, Azure, and AWS.Read 4 Oct 2026 · docs.onap.org
- Security
- The Paris release highlights describe HTTPS ports, removal of hard-coded passwords, non-root Kubernetes pods, CVE mitigation, and Istio and Ingress Gateway for secure component communications.Read 4 Oct 2026 · onap.org
- Access control
- The Portal Framework provides access to design-time and runtime environments with role-based access for service designers and operations personnel.Read 4 Oct 2026 · onap.org
- Access controls
- The design-time and runtime environments use the Portal Framework, with role-based access for service designers and operations personnel.Read 4 Oct 2026 · onap.org
- AI capabilities
- The Paris release supports generative AI solutions powered by large language models and enhancements for intent-driven networks and Model-As-a-Service.Read 4 Oct 2026 · onap.org
- Architecture
- ONAP provides a vendor-agnostic operating framework for policy-driven service design, implementation, analytics, and lifecycle management at large scale.Read 4 Oct 2026 · onap.org
- Automation
- The runtime environment supports closed-loop automation, monitoring, analytics, and alarm and event correlation.Read 4 Oct 2026 · onap.org
- Automation features
- Its runtime includes monitoring, analytics, alarm and event correlation, and closed-loop automation for ongoing service optimization.Read 4 Oct 2026 · onap.org
- Cloud deployment
- ONAP is a cloud-native application, and its Operations Manager uses Kubernetes to deploy, monitor, and manage component lifecycles.Read 4 Oct 2026 · onap.org
- Deployment requirements
- The current OOM infrastructure guide lists 224 GB RAM, 160 GB disk, and 112 vCores for a full deployment, and says deploying only selected components can reduce those requirements substantially.Read 4 Oct 2026 · docs.onap.org
- Design and operations
- ONAP provides service design, implementation, analytics, lifecycle management, and synchronous orchestration of physical and virtual network functions.Read 4 Oct 2026 · onap.org
- Example use cases
- Published blueprints include 5G, virtual CPE, broadband service, VoLTE, cross-domain VPN, and multi-domain optical network service.Read 4 Oct 2026 · onap.org
- Integrations and standards
- The 5G blueprint was developed in cooperation with 3GPP, TM Forum, ETSI, and the O-RAN Software Community.Read 4 Oct 2026 · onap.org
- Known limitations
- ONAP states that known issues and limitations are documented in the release notes for each project.Read 4 Oct 2026 · onap.org
- Limitations
- The ONAP Software page directs users to each project’s release notes for known issues and limitations.Read 4 Oct 2026 · onap.org
- Modular components
- The Paris release describes ONAP as individual, modular network orchestration functions that users can select and adopt.Read 4 Oct 2026 · onap.org
- Project origin
- The Linux Foundation announced ONAP’s formation in February 2017 through the merger of the open source ECOMP and OPEN-O projects.Read 4 Oct 2026 · onap.org
- Security practices
- The ONAP Software page says the CPS and Policy Framework projects achieved OpenSSF Gold Badging and that ONAP adopted the OpenSSF Best Practice Badge Program.Read 4 Oct 2026 · onap.org
- Security reporting
- ONAP directs code vulnerability reports to its security mailing list and says trusted community security experts handle reports confidentially.Read 4 Oct 2026 · onap.org
- Service lifecycle
- Its real-time, policy-driven, and AI-assisted capabilities support orchestration of physical, virtual, and cloud-native network functions and service lifecycle management.Read 4 Oct 2026 · onap.org
- Standards and ecosystem
- The 5G blueprint was developed in cooperation with standards and open-source organizations including 3GPP, TM Forum, ETSI, and the O-RAN Software Community.Read 4 Oct 2026 · onap.org
- Support and participation
- Community participation is open to all, with developer guidance, documentation, mailing lists, project calls, and regular Technical Steering Committee meetings.Read 4 Oct 2026 · onap.org
- Training
- The Linux Foundation lists free ONAP introductory eLearning and a paid ONAP Fundamentals eLearning course.Read 4 Oct 2026 · onap.org
- Training and support
- ONAP links to free Linux Foundation eLearning courses and a paid ONAP Fundamentals course; the page does not describe a product support service.Read 4 Oct 2026 · onap.org
- Use cases
- Published blueprints include 5G, virtual CPE, broadband service, VoLTE, and cross-domain VPN use cases.Read 4 Oct 2026 · onap.org
Plans and prices
ONAP Free Open source software platform Read 4 Oct 2026 · onap.org
Strong points and limits
Strong points
- Open-source platform listed at free.
- Modular orchestration functions can be selected.
- Supports physical, virtual, and cloud-native network functions.
- Role-based access serves design and operations roles.
- Published blueprints include 5G and cross-domain VPN.
Limits
- Full deployment guide lists 224 GB RAM.
- Full deployment guide lists 112 vCores.
- Known issues and limits are documented in project release notes.
- No product support service is described.
Who it suits
ONAP is aimed at network, software, IT, and cloud providers and developers, as well as operators and enterprises. Its deployment requirements make component selection relevant for teams planning infrastructure.
Verdict
ONAP offers a broad lifecycle and automation platform for network services, with modular adoption and Kubernetes deployment. Review the full-deployment requirements and project release notes when evaluating a rollout.
Where Specifiction places it
- Telecommunication Service Fulfillment Software#1 of 98.4
- Network Automation Software#5 of 298.2
- Autonomous Networks#3 of 178.3
- IT Orchestration Software#9 of 288.4