ONAP
What it is
ONAP is a free, open-source platform for designing, orchestrating, and automating network and edge services. It supports service lifecycles for physical, virtual, and cloud-native network functions, with tools for implementation, analytics, and synchronous orchestration. Its runtime can monitor services, correlate alarms and events, and use closed-loop automation for ongoing optimization. The Portal Framework provides role-based access for service designers and operations personnel. ONAP is modular, so users can choose individual orchestration functions, and its Operations Manager uses Kubernetes to deploy and manage components. Published blueprints cover 5G, virtual CPE, broadband, VoLTE, cross-domain VPN, and multi-domain optical network services. The 5G blueprint was developed with 3GPP, TM Forum, ETSI, and the O-RAN Software Community. A full deployment guide lists 224 GB RAM, 160 GB disk, and 112 vCores; selecting components can reduce those requirements. ONAP supports Kubernetes deployments on bare metal and environments such as OpenStack, Azure, and AWS.
For and against
For
- Free, open-source software platform.
- Supports physical, virtual, and cloud-native network functions.
- Runtime includes monitoring and closed-loop automation.
- Published blueprints cover several network services.
- Role-based access supports design and operations roles.
Against
- Full deployment lists 224 GB RAM and 112 vCores.
- Deployment also lists 160 GB disk.
- Known limitations are documented in project release notes.
- ONAP Fundamentals training is paid.
The verdict
ONAP combines network service design, lifecycle management, and runtime automation in a modular platform. Plan for substantial resources for a full deployment, or consider selecting components to reduce requirements.
Who it suits
ONAP suits network operators, cloud providers, enterprises, and network, software, IT, or cloud developers working with network and edge services. Its modular components and Kubernetes deployment may suit teams that can select and operate the functions they need.
Plans and prices
ONAP
Open source software platform
Read 4 Oct 2026 · onap.org
On the record
- Access control
- The Portal Framework provides access to design-time and runtime environments with role-based access for service designers and operations personnel.onap.org · read 4 Oct 2026
- Access controls
- The design-time and runtime environments use the Portal Framework, with role-based access for service designers and operations personnel.onap.org · read 4 Oct 2026
- 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.onap.org · read 4 Oct 2026
- Architecture
- ONAP provides a vendor-agnostic operating framework for policy-driven service design, implementation, analytics, and lifecycle management at large scale.onap.org · read 4 Oct 2026
- Automation
- The runtime environment supports closed-loop automation, monitoring, analytics, and alarm and event correlation.onap.org · read 4 Oct 2026
- Automation features
- Its runtime includes monitoring, analytics, alarm and event correlation, and closed-loop automation for ongoing service optimization.onap.org · read 4 Oct 2026
- Cloud deployment
- ONAP is a cloud-native application, and its Operations Manager uses Kubernetes to deploy, monitor, and manage component lifecycles.onap.org · read 4 Oct 2026
- 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.docs.onap.org · read 4 Oct 2026
- 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.docs.onap.org · read 4 Oct 2026
- Design and operations
- ONAP provides service design, implementation, analytics, lifecycle management, and synchronous orchestration of physical and virtual network functions.onap.org · read 4 Oct 2026
- Example use cases
- Published blueprints include 5G, virtual CPE, broadband service, VoLTE, cross-domain VPN, and multi-domain optical network service.onap.org · read 4 Oct 2026
- Integrations and standards
- The 5G blueprint was developed in cooperation with 3GPP, TM Forum, ETSI, and the O-RAN Software Community.onap.org · read 4 Oct 2026
- 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.onap.org · read 4 Oct 2026
- Known limitations
- ONAP states that known issues and limitations are documented in the release notes for each project.onap.org · read 4 Oct 2026
- Limitations
- The ONAP Software page directs users to each project’s release notes for known issues and limitations.onap.org · read 4 Oct 2026
- Modular components
- The Paris release describes ONAP as individual, modular network orchestration functions that users can select and adopt.onap.org · read 4 Oct 2026
- Project origin
- The Linux Foundation announced ONAP’s formation in February 2017 through the merger of the open source ECOMP and OPEN-O projects.onap.org · read 4 Oct 2026
- Purpose
- ONAP provides design, orchestration, observability, and automation of network and edge services for operators, cloud providers, and enterprises.onap.org · read 4 Oct 2026
