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TeraFlowSDN
What it is
TeraFlowSDN is an open-source software-defined networking controller for smart connectivity services and networks beyond 5G. Its cloud-native microservices architecture is built for end-to-end network orchestration and control. The project supports experiments in flow aggregation, equipment integration, AI- and ML-based security, and forensic evidence for multi-tenancy. It can integrate with ETSI Open Source MANO and ETSI OpenSlice, and the project site identifies the Apache License 2.0.
Its interfaces span device drivers and network services. Documented southbound drivers include NetConf/OpenConfig, gNMI/OpenConfig, P4, optical interfaces, microwave, and others; northbound connectors include bandwidth management, L2VPN and L3VPN delivery, topology, and network slices. The TFS API provides gRPC methods for managing network resources and policies, while the MCP Server exposes selected operations to MCP clients. Release 7 highlights P4 integration and optical-network automation. Deployment is on-premises using MicroK8s on Ubuntu Server, with a reference minimum of 4 CPU cores, 8 GB RAM, 60 GB disk, and one 1 GbE NIC. The documentation marks the NetConf/OpenConfig Optical driver experimental; the ONF Transport API driver does not support monitoring.
For and against
For
- Open-source under Apache License 2.0.
- Supports network orchestration through a microservices architecture.
- Integrates with ETSI Open Source MANO and OpenSlice.
- API includes gRPC methods for network management.
- Offers optical automation and P4 integration in Release 7.
Against
- Deployment reference requires at least 4 cores and 8 GB RAM.
- NetConf/OpenConfig Optical driver is experimental.
- ONF Transport API driver does not support monitoring.
- Other Ubuntu versions are described as untested.
The verdict
TeraFlowSDN provides a broad set of network interfaces and orchestration tools for smart connectivity work. Its on-premises deployment requirements and documented driver limitations are important considerations for implementation.
Who it suits
TeraFlowSDN suits telecommunications operators, vendors, research institutions, and research initiatives working on smart networks and services. It is intended for teams able to deploy and operate it on an Ubuntu Server and MicroK8s environment.
On the record
- Agent interface
- The TFS MCP Server exposes selected controller operations to MCP clients, including agentic applications.tfs.etsi.org · read 8 Oct 2026
- API
- The TFS API exposes gRPC methods for managing contexts, topologies, devices, links, services, slices, connections, and policies.tfs.etsi.org · read 4 Oct 2026
- Architecture
- Its microservices architecture supports end-to-end network orchestration and control.tfs.etsi.org · read 8 Oct 2026
- Audience
- The project presents TeraFlowSDN as a platform for telecommunications operators, vendors, research institutions, and research initiatives working on smart networks and services.tfs.etsi.org · read 4 Oct 2026
- Deployment
- The deployment guide runs TeraFlowSDN on MicroK8s Kubernetes and documents physical or virtual machine deployment.tfs.etsi.org · read 8 Oct 2026
- Deployment requirements
- The documentation assumes a physical server or virtual machine with at least 4 cores, 8 GB RAM, 60 GB disk, and one NIC, running Ubuntu Server and MicroK8s.tfs.etsi.org · read 4 Oct 2026
- Documented limitation
- The documentation marks the NetConf/OpenConfig Optical driver as experimental and warns that it contains proprietary extensions.tfs.etsi.org · read 4 Oct 2026
- Integrations
- The project says TeraFlowSDN can integrate with ETSI Open Source MANO and ETSI OpenSlice.tfs.etsi.org · read 8 Oct 2026
- License
- The site links TeraFlowSDN to the Apache License 2.0.tfs.etsi.org · read 8 Oct 2026
- Limitations
- The documented ONF Transport API driver supports configuration of L0 optical links but does not support monitoring.tfs.etsi.org · read 8 Oct 2026
- Minimum requirements
- The documentation lists a minimum deployment reference of 4 CPU cores, 8 GB RAM, 60 GB disk, and one 1 GbE NIC.tfs.etsi.org · read 8 Oct 2026
- Network interfaces
- Documented southbound drivers include NETCONF/OpenConfig, gNMI/OpenConfig, ONF Transport API, P4, IETF L2VPN, and IETF ACTN.tfs.etsi.org · read 8 Oct 2026
- Northbound API
- The TFS API exposes gRPC methods for managing contexts, topologies, devices, links, services, slices, connections, and policies.tfs.etsi.org · read 8 Oct 2026
- Northbound interfaces
- Documented northbound connectors include the TFS API, ETSI bandwidth management, IETF L2VPN and L3VPN service delivery, network topology, and network slice service.tfs.etsi.org · read 4 Oct 2026
- Operating system
- The deployment guide recommends Ubuntu Server 20.04, 22.04, or 24.04 LTS and says other versions are untested.tfs.etsi.org · read 8 Oct 2026
- Optical automation
- Release 7 describes telemetry, KPI management, analytics, and self-healing capabilities for multi-granular optical nodes.tfs.etsi.org · read 8 Oct 2026
- Purpose
- TeraFlowSDN is an open-source, cloud-native SDN controller for smart connectivity services in networks beyond 5G.tfs.etsi.org · read 8 Oct 2026
- Release 7
- Release 7 adds P4-device integration, optical network automation, and expanded northbound interface capabilities.tfs.etsi.org · read 8 Oct 2026
