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Open Virtual Network

ovn.org

Free plan LinuxSelf-hosted
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Spec score 7.3 #5 of 18 in Data Center Fabric Software

What it is

Open Virtual Network (OVN) provides logical networking for virtual machine and container environments, intended for cloud management software. It converts virtual network configurations into OpenFlow and organizes them around logical routers and switches. Listed capabilities include distributed virtual routers and logical switches, access control lists, DHCP, and a DNS server. Tunnels or other encapsulations isolate logical networks from physical and virtual networks, allowing overlapping address spaces. Virtual machines can move between physical machines without network disruption, and gateways connect tunnel-based logical networks to physical networks. Examples of cloud-management integrations include OpenStack Neutron’s ml2/ovn plugin and ovn-kubernetes. OVN runs in userspace, needs no kernel modules, and is written in platform-independent C; its generic build guide covers Linux, FreeBSD, and NetBSD hosts. It is free under the Apache 2 license, with on-premises deployment, a centralized control plane, and a Linux and self-hosted platform listing. OpenSSL libssl is optional but recommended for secure connections to OVN database servers.

Spec sheet

Purpose
OVN is a system that supports logical network abstraction in virtual machine and container environments.Read 5 Oct 2026 · ovn.org
Audience
OVN is intended to be used by cloud management software.Read 5 Oct 2026 · ovn.org
Integrations
The architecture page names OpenStack Neutron’s ml2/ovn plugin and the ovn-kubernetes project as cloud management system examples.Read 5 Oct 2026 · ovn.org
Security
OVN’s security process directs vulnerability reports to the ovs-security mailing list for coordinated handling.Read 5 Oct 2026 · docs.ovn.org
Support
The installation guide directs users to GitHub issues or [email protected] to report problems.Read 5 Oct 2026 · docs.ovn.org
Architecture
OVN translates virtual network configurations into OpenFlow and provides a higher-level abstraction based on logical routers and switches.Read 5 Oct 2026 · ovn.org
Features
Listed features include distributed virtual routers, distributed logical switches, access control lists, DHCP, and a DNS server.Read 5 Oct 2026 · ovn.org
Gateways
OVN provides gateways to connect tunnel-based logical networks to physical networks.Read 5 Oct 2026 · ovn.org
Mobility
Virtual machines in a logical network can migrate between physical machines without network disruption.Read 5 Oct 2026 · ovn.org
Overlays
OVN logical networks use tunnels or other encapsulations to isolate them from physical and virtual networks, allowing address spaces to overlap.Read 5 Oct 2026 · ovn.org
Release support
Standard term releases receive full bug-fix support for one year after initial release; LTS releases receive bug-fix support for two years and another year of critical and security fixes after a new LTS is released.Read 5 Oct 2026 · ovn.org
Runtime
OVN is written in platform-independent C, runs entirely in userspace, and requires no kernel modules to be installed.Read 5 Oct 2026 · ovn.org
Supported systems
The generic build and installation guide covers Linux, FreeBSD, and NetBSD hosts.Read 5 Oct 2026 · docs.ovn.org
Transport security
OpenSSL libssl is optional but recommended for securely connecting OVN services to OVN database servers.Read 5 Oct 2026 · docs.ovn.org

Plans and prices

OVN Free Open source Apache 2 license Read 5 Oct 2026 · ovn.org

Every Open Virtual Network plan and price →

Strong points and limits

Strong points

  • Free under the Apache 2 license.
  • Runs in userspace without kernel modules.
  • Supports logical routers, switches, ACLs, DHCP and DNS.
  • Virtual machines can migrate without network disruption.
  • Build guide covers Linux, FreeBSD and NetBSD.

Limits

  • Intended for use by cloud management software.
  • OpenSSL libssl is optional but recommended for secure service connections.
  • Standard term releases receive one year of bug-fix support.

Who it suits

OVN is intended for cloud management software and may suit teams building logical networks for virtual machines or containers. Its listed host guide covers Linux, FreeBSD, and NetBSD.

Verdict

OVN describes a logical networking layer with routing, switching, network isolation, and gateway features for virtualized environments. Its free, on-premises deployment and supported host guide are useful specifications to weigh against its cloud-management focus.

Where Specifiction places it

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