What is 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 effective network automation through programmatic extension, while still supporting standard management interfaces and protocols (e.g. NetFlow, sFlow, SPAN, RSPAN, CLI, LACP, 802.1ag). In addition, it is aimed at providing better performance, true isolation, and flexibility compared to traditional virtual switches.
Main Features
Some of the key features of Open vSwitch include support for standard management interfaces and protocols, multilayer switching, visibility into inter-VM communication through NetFlow, sFlow, IPFIX, SPAN, RSPAN, and CLI management interface, among others.
Installation Guide
Prerequisites
Before installing Open vSwitch, ensure that your system meets the necessary requirements. These include a Linux-based operating system (Open vSwitch is known to work on Linux kernels from 2.6.32 to 4.11), Python, and a few other dependencies.
Installation Steps
There are several ways to install Open vSwitch, depending on your Linux distribution. For most distributions, you can install Open vSwitch from the package manager. For example, on Ubuntu or Debian, you can use the command apt-get install openvswitch-switch. You can also build Open vSwitch from source.
Technical Specifications
Performance
Open vSwitch is designed to provide high performance and is capable of handling thousands of virtual interfaces. It has a number of features that improve its performance, including a lock-free forwarding engine, support for multiple network interface controllers, and support for the TRILL and FabricPath protocols.
Security
Open vSwitch includes a number of security features, including support for 802.1X, MAC address learning, and support for the SSL/TLS protocol. It also includes a number of features that improve visibility and control, such as NetFlow, sFlow, and IPFIX.
Pros and Cons
Advantages
- Open vSwitch is highly scalable and can handle thousands of virtual interfaces.
- It has a number of features that improve performance, including a lock-free forwarding engine and support for multiple network interface controllers.
- It includes a number of security features, including support for 802.1X and the SSL/TLS protocol.
Disadvantages
- Open vSwitch can be complex to configure and manage.
- It requires a good understanding of networking and Linux.
- It may not be compatible with all Linux distributions or hardware.
FAQ
Q: What is the difference between Open vSwitch and other virtual switches?
A: Open vSwitch is designed to provide better performance, true isolation, and flexibility compared to traditional virtual switches. It is also highly scalable and can handle thousands of virtual interfaces.
Q: How do I install Open vSwitch?
A: There are several ways to install Open vSwitch, depending on your Linux distribution. For most distributions, you can install Open vSwitch from the package manager. You can also build Open vSwitch from source.
Q: Is Open vSwitch free?
A: Yes, Open vSwitch is free and open-source software. It is licensed under the Apache 2.0 license.
Alternatives to Open vSwitch
Other Virtual Switches
There are a number of other virtual switches available, including VMware vSwitch, Cisco Nexus 1000V, and Microsoft Hyper-V Virtual Switch. Each of these has its own strengths and weaknesses, and the choice of which one to use will depend on your specific needs and requirements.
Open-Source Alternatives
There are also a number of open-source alternatives to Open vSwitch, including OpenFlow and Floodlight. These projects are designed to provide similar functionality to Open vSwitch, but may have different features and capabilities.