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Ryu SDN Framework
What it is
Ryu SDN Framework is free, Apache 2.0 software for developers building network management and control applications. Its components expose defined APIs for creating network applications, with on-premises deployment, a northbound API, and policy segmentation. Ryu manages devices through OpenFlow, Netconf, and OF-config; the listed protocol support also includes Nicira Extensions, BGP, and Zebra. OpenFlow versions 1.0, 1.2, 1.3, 1.4, and 1.5 are listed. Installation instructions cover pip and source code. Documentation provides getting-started guidance, examples, best practices, and a Snort integration guide. The project describes continuous testing with OpenFlow 1.3 and 1.4 switches and includes JSON-based test scenarios. Its certification page lists tested switches including Open vSwitch, LINC, and Allied Telesis x510 and x930. A development mailing list accepts questions, suggestions, and patches. The linked repository states that Ryu is not currently maintained and is seeking new maintainers, an important consideration for deployment planning.
For and against
For
- Free Apache 2.0 code
- Defined APIs for network applications
- Broad OpenFlow version support
- Pip and source installation
- Snort integration documentation
Against
- Repository says project is unmaintained
- New maintainers are being sought
- On-premises deployment only
The verdict
Ryu offers protocol coverage, developer APIs, installation guidance, and testing resources for on-premises SDN applications. Its stated maintenance gap should be weighed before adopting it for a long-term project.
Who it suits
Ryu suits developers creating software-defined networking management and control applications. It is relevant to teams needing protocol support, APIs, and on-premises deployment.
On the record
- APIs
- Ryu provides software components with well-defined APIs for developers.ryu-sdn.org · read 7 Oct 2026
- Audience
- The site describes Ryu as a framework for developers creating network management and control applications.ryu-sdn.org · read 7 Oct 2026
- Community support
- The project lists the Ryu devel mailing list for questions, suggestions and patches.ryu-sdn.org · read 7 Oct 2026
- Development
- Ryu provides components with defined APIs for developers to create network applications.ryu-sdn.org · read 7 Oct 2026
- Documentation
- The official resources page points to documentation for getting started, examples, and best practices.ryu-sdn.org · read 7 Oct 2026
- Installation
- The site gives pip and source-code installation instructions.ryu-sdn.org · read 7 Oct 2026
- Integrations
- The documentation includes a Snort integration guide.ryu.readthedocs.io · read 7 Oct 2026
- License
- The project says its code is freely available under the Apache 2.0 license.ryu-sdn.org · read 7 Oct 2026
- Maintenance
- The linked code repository says Ryu is not currently maintained and asks for new maintainers.github.com · read 7 Oct 2026
- Maintenance status
- The project repository says Ryu is not currently maintained and is seeking new maintainers.github.com · read 7 Oct 2026
- OpenFlow versions
- The site lists support for OpenFlow 1.0, 1.2, 1.3, 1.4, 1.5, and Nicira Extensions.ryu-sdn.org · read 7 Oct 2026
- Optional dependencies
- The repository lists optional packages for OF-Config, NETCONF, BGP speaker SSH console and Zebra protocol service functions.github.com · read 7 Oct 2026
- Protocols
- Ryu supports OpenFlow, Netconf, and OF-config for managing network devices.ryu-sdn.org · read 7 Oct 2026
- Purpose
- Ryu is a component-based software-defined networking framework for building network management and control applications.ryu-sdn.org · read 7 Oct 2026
- Switch support examples
- The certification page lists tested switches including Open vSwitch, LINC and Allied Telesis x510 and x930.ryu-sdn.org · read 7 Oct 2026
- Switch testing
- The project says it continuously tests with OpenFlow 1.3 and 1.4 switches and includes a test suite with JSON scenarios.ryu-sdn.org · read 7 Oct 2026
