Backends

MOSK offers various networking backends. Selecting the appropriate backend option for the Networking service is essential for building a robust and efficient cloud networking infrastructure. Whether you choose Open vSwitch, Open Virtual Networking, or Tungsten Fabric, understanding their features, capabilities, and suitability for your specific use case is crucial for achieving optimal performance and scalability in your OpenStack environment.

Open vSwitch

Open vSwitch is a production-quality, multilayer virtual switch licensed under the open source Apache 2.0 license. It is designed to enable massive network automation through programmatic extension, while supporting standard management interfaces and protocols.

Open vSwitch is suitable for general-purpose networking requirements in OpenStack deployments. It provides flexibility and scalability for various network topologies.

Key characteristics of Open vSwitch:

  • Depends on RabbitMQ and RPC communication

  • Uses keepalived to set up HA routers

  • Uses namespace and Veth routing to provide its capabilities

  • Locates metadata in router or DHCP namespaces

  • Centralizes the DHCP service, which is running in a separate namespace

Open Virtual Networking

Available since MOSK 24.2 TechPreview

Open Virtual Networking is a solution for Open vSwitch that provides native virtual networking support for Open vSwitch environments. It provides enhanced scalability and performance compared to traditional Open vSwitch deployments.

Key characteristics of Open Virtual Networking:

  • Uses the OVSDB protocol for commmunication

  • Is distributed by design

  • Handles all traffic with OpenFlow

  • Runs metadata on all nodes

  • Provides DHCP through local Open vSwitch instances

Tungsten Fabric

Tungsten Fabric is an open-source SDN based on Juniper Contrail. Its design allows for simplified creation and management of virtual networks in cloud environments. Tungsten Fabric supports advanced networking scenarious, such as BGP integration and scalability.

Key characteristics of Tungsten Fabric:

  • Uses well scalable protocols to set up tunnels, such as BGP/MPLS

  • Provides out-of-the-box BGPaaS/Service chaining capabilities

See also