# ovn-kubernetes/ovn-kubernetes

A robust Kubernetes networking platform

Repository: https://github.com/ovn-kubernetes/ovn-kubernetes
Canonical: https://ross.abutalabs.com/products/ovn-kubernetes
Homepage: https://ovn-kubernetes.io/
Language: Go
License: Apache-2.0
License Family: permissive
Topics: cni, cni-plugin, kubernetes-networking, networking, sdn, sdn-controller, sdn-network, kubernetes
Last push: 2026-09-02T17:23:26+00:00

## Health v2 (maintenance only)
Score: 86/100 (v2, computed 2026-09-03T02:20:16.233290+00:00)
- activity 100, release rhythm 59, longevity 100
- inputs: {"age_days": 3674, "days_push": 0, "days_rel": 119, "gap_med": 133.0, "n_releases_24m": 3}
- flags: none
- formula: round(0.45*activity + 0.35*rhythm + 0.20*longevity); archived -> min(score, 10)

## Adoption (not part of the score)
Stars 1062, forks 477 (observed 2026-09-03T02:15:16.665888+00:00)

## What it is
OVN-Kubernetes is an open-source CNI plugin that provides a robust networking solution for Kubernetes clusters, built on OVN (Open Virtual Networking) and Open vSwitch. It implements the Container Network Interface specification to deliver overlay networking, network policies, and advanced networking features for cluster workloads.

## Use cases
- set up a CNI network plugin for a Kubernetes cluster
- implement Kubernetes network policies with OVN and Open vSwitch
- provide overlay networking for containers across nodes
- replace flannel or calico with an OVN-based SDN controller
- run a Kubernetes cluster with hybrid or interconnect networking
- deploy Kubernetes networking via Helm or KIND for development

## When to choose
- you need a Kubernetes-conformant CNI backed by OVN/Open vSwitch
- you require advanced SDN features like network policies, egress IP, or hybrid routing
- you are running OpenShift or want an enterprise-grade networking stack
- you want an actively maintained, Apache-2.0 licensed networking plugin

## When to avoid
- you need a simple, lightweight CNI for small clusters where OVN's complexity is unnecessary
- your environment cannot run Open vSwitch or lacks Linux node support
- you only need basic pod networking without SDN features
- you are not using Kubernetes or an OVN-compatible platform

## Facets
- artifact type: plugin
- maturity: active
- function: networking, middleware, container-orchestration
- domain: networking, cloud-computing, infrastructure-as-code, microservices
- platform: go, cloud
- tags: cni, cni-plugin, ovn, open-vswitch, sdn, kubernetes-networking, network-overlay, containers, linux, kubernetes, docker

## Member repositories
- ovn-kubernetes/ovn-kubernetes (main) score 86

## Provenance
- Observed fields: from GitHub, fetched 2026-09-03T02:15:16.665888+00:00.
- Health v2: computed from the inputs above; adoption is never an input.
- Inferred fields (summary, facets, guidance): AI-extracted, prompt v1, taxonomy v1, on 2026-08-30T06:57:03.349369+00:00, confidence not recorded.
  - readme: https://github.com/ovn-kubernetes/ovn-kubernetes (fetched 2026-09-03T02:15:16.665888+00:00, sha ab77cc4ace59)
  - homepage: https://ovn-kubernetes.io/ (fetched 2026-08-29T12:58:47.168686+00:00, sha 240a6b1e7202)
- Data as of 2026-08-30T08:39:29.467469+00:00.