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Open Virtual Network
What it is
Open Virtual Network (OVN) provides logical network abstraction for virtual machine and container environments, for use by cloud management software. It translates virtual network configurations into OpenFlow and models networks through logical routers and switches. Listed features include distributed virtual routers and logical switches, access control lists, DHCP, and a DNS server. Logical networks use tunnels or other encapsulations to stay separate from physical and virtual networks, allowing address spaces to overlap. Virtual machines can move between physical machines without network disruption, while gateways connect tunnel-based logical networks to physical networks. Named cloud-management examples include OpenStack Neutron’s ml2/ovn plugin and the ovn-kubernetes project. OVN runs entirely in userspace, requires no kernel modules, and is written in platform-independent C. Its generic build and installation guide covers Linux, FreeBSD, and NetBSD hosts. OVN is free open-source software under the Apache 2 license, with an on-premises deployment model and centralized control plane. OpenSSL libssl is optional but recommended for secure connections to OVN database servers.
For and against
For
- Free open-source software under Apache 2 license.
- Supports logical routers, switches, ACLs, DHCP, and DNS.
- Allows overlapping logical network address spaces.
- Virtual machines can migrate without network disruption.
- Runs in userspace without kernel modules.
Against
- No free trial is listed.
- OpenSSL libssl is optional but recommended for secure database connections.
- Standard term releases receive bug-fix support for one year.
The verdict
OVN offers logical networking features for cloud management software, including tunnels, gateways, and workload mobility. Teams should account for its release support periods and the recommendation to use OpenSSL for secure database connections.
Who it suits
OVN is intended for cloud management software used with virtual machine and container environments. It may suit teams building logical networks on Linux, FreeBSD, or NetBSD hosts.
Plans and prices
OVN
Open source Apache 2 license
Read 5 Oct 2026 · ovn.org
On the record
- Architecture
- OVN translates virtual network configurations into OpenFlow and provides a higher-level abstraction based on logical routers and switches.ovn.org · read 5 Oct 2026
- Audience
- OVN is intended to be used by cloud management software.ovn.org · read 5 Oct 2026
- Features
- Listed features include distributed virtual routers, distributed logical switches, access control lists, DHCP, and a DNS server.ovn.org · read 5 Oct 2026
- Gateways
- OVN provides gateways to connect tunnel-based logical networks to physical networks.ovn.org · read 5 Oct 2026
- Integrations
- The architecture page names OpenStack Neutron’s ml2/ovn plugin and the ovn-kubernetes project as cloud management system examples.ovn.org · read 5 Oct 2026
- Mobility
- Virtual machines in a logical network can migrate between physical machines without network disruption.ovn.org · read 5 Oct 2026
- Overlays
- OVN logical networks use tunnels or other encapsulations to isolate them from physical and virtual networks, allowing address spaces to overlap.ovn.org · read 5 Oct 2026
- Purpose
- OVN is a system that supports logical network abstraction in virtual machine and container environments.ovn.org · read 5 Oct 2026
- 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.ovn.org · read 5 Oct 2026
- Runtime
- OVN is written in platform-independent C, runs entirely in userspace, and requires no kernel modules to be installed.ovn.org · read 5 Oct 2026
- Security
- OVN’s security process directs vulnerability reports to the ovs-security mailing list for coordinated handling.docs.ovn.org · read 5 Oct 2026
- Support
- The installation guide directs users to GitHub issues or [email protected] to report problems.docs.ovn.org · read 5 Oct 2026
- Supported systems
- The generic build and installation guide covers Linux, FreeBSD, and NetBSD hosts.docs.ovn.org · read 5 Oct 2026
- Transport security
- OpenSSL libssl is optional but recommended for securely connecting OVN services to OVN database servers.docs.ovn.org · read 5 Oct 2026