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Open vSwitch — programmable multilayer switching for virtual networks

OSS scale score 285.7OSS health 81Update pace 6 commits/30d
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OSS scale score is an unbounded metric that log-compresses and weights Stars, Watchers, Forks, and Contributors. Discovery score is the current OSS scale score minus the score at discovery. Update pace is commits in the last 30 days, growth momentum is the OSS scale score difference within the recent observation window, and OSS health is a 0–100 rating based on available recency, Community Health, and release data.

Stars
4,016
Primary language
C
License
Apache-2.0
Repository last updated
Sep 15, 2026

Overview

Open vSwitch (OVS) is a software switch for VM and container networking with VLANs, bonding, QoS, NetFlow/sFlow, VXLAN/Geneve tunneling, and OpenFlow control. OVSDB provides transactional configuration and the platform is designed for programmable networking across virtualized hosts.

Features and best fit

Based on official documentation; not hands-on tested · Content checked:

Build virtual networks with VLANs, tunnels, and bonding

OVS supports 802.1Q VLANs, LACP bonding, and overlays such as VXLAN, Geneve, and GRE for VM and container connectivity.

Sources: [2]

Program configuration and forwarding with OVSDB and OpenFlow

ovs-vsctl manages transactional OVSDB configuration while OpenFlow interfaces expose flow-level control over forwarding behavior.

Sources: [2][4]

For virtualization, SDN, and programmable overlay networks

OVS fits KVM, container, and overlay environments that need programmable switching, traffic visibility, and distributed virtual networking.

Sources: [2][4]

Validate physical-NIC changes and mixed licensing

Adding physical interfaces to an OVS bridge can change host reachability, so test in isolation. The README states that most code is Apache-2.0 while datapath and some other files use GPLv2, BSD, or other licenses.

Sources: [2][3]

Official sources

  1. [1]openvswitch/ovs repository(2026-09-20)
  2. [2]Open vSwitch README(2026-09-20)
  3. [3]Open vSwitch Apache-2.0 license(2026-09-20)
  4. [4]Open vSwitch documentation(2026-09-20)
Supplemental curator note

Open vSwitch is useful when virtual networks need richer tunneling, OpenFlow, OVSDB, and visibility than a basic software bridge. Adding a physical NIC to a bridge can disrupt host connectivity, so start with an isolated test bridge. Most userspace code is Apache-2.0, while datapath and some files use other licenses.

Try it in 3 steps

  1. 1

    Install Open vSwitch in a test environment

    Use the official instructions or a distribution package in an isolated Linux VM.

    https://docs.openvswitch.org/en/latest/intro/install/
  2. 2

    Create a test bridge without a physical NIC

    Verify OVSDB and bridge management without changing host connectivity.

    sudo ovs-vsctl add-br br-test && sudo ovs-vsctl show
  3. 3

    Remove the test bridge

    Delete the bridge after testing. Add physical NICs or tunnels only in an isolated network lab.

    sudo ovs-vsctl del-br br-test
Check the official README

Growth

Growth trends · Last 30 days

4,016 Stars

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Development activity

Last 90 days · weekly

Commits (last 30 days)
6
Open PRs
0
Issues opened
0
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Issues

0 / 0

Jun 23Sep 20
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Pull requests

0 / 0

Jun 23Sep 20
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Maintenance

Median first response
Not specified
Issue response rate
No eligible issues

Based on up to the 100 newest issues opened by external users in the last 90 days. A first comment from an OWNER, MEMBER, or COLLABORATOR counts as a response; issues whose full comment history cannot be checked are excluded. The median and response rate update weekly.

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GitHub data

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Stars
4,016
Forks
2,019
Watchers
347
Open issues
0
Contributors
292
Primary language
C
License
Apache-2.0
Repository last updated
Sep 15, 2026
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