Open Platform for NFV (OPNFV) was an open‑source software project established in 2014 under the auspices of the Linux Foundation. Its purpose was to develop a reference implementation and integration framework for Network Functions Virtualization (NFV) infrastructure, enabling service providers and enterprises to deploy virtualized network functions (VNFs) on standardized hardware platforms.
Purpose and Scope
OPNFV aimed to provide a collaborative ecosystem for integrating, testing, and validating the key components of an NFV infrastructure (NFVI), including:
- Virtualisation hypervisors (e.g., KVM, Xen)
- Cloud‑orchestration platforms (e.g., OpenStack, OPNFV’s own “Fuel” installer)
- Networking and SDN controllers (e.g., OpenDaylight, ONOS)
- Service‑orchestration frameworks (e.g., Open Source MANO – OSM)
- Performance‑testing and certification tools (e.g., Yardstick, Functest)
By delivering a “carrier‑grade” reference platform, OPNFV sought to reduce integration costs, accelerate the adoption of NFV, and ensure interoperability among diverse open‑source projects.
Organizational Structure
The project was governed by a Technical Steering Committee (TSC) composed of representatives from member organisations, including telecom operators (e.g., AT&T, Deutsche Telekom, NTT), equipment vendors (e.g., Cisco, Huawei, Nokia), and software companies (e.g., Intel, Red Hat, Wind River). Working groups focused on specific functional areas such as installer, networking, security, and testing.
Release Cycle
OPNFV adopted a time‑boxed release cadence, delivering major “waves” (e.g., “Daisy,” “Euphrates,” “Fujitsu”) roughly every six months. Each wave incorporated updates to the underlying open‑source components, security patches, and new verification test suites.
Key Achievements
- Demonstrated carrier‑grade performance of VNFs on commodity hardware.
- Integrated multiple open‑source projects into a cohesive NFV stack, providing reference installers and blueprints.
- Established a set of automated verification tests that became part of the broader NFV‑IF (NFV‑Infrastructure) testing framework.
Transition and Current Status
By 2018, the OPNFV community began consolidating its activities with other Linux Foundation initiatives, notably the ONAP (Open Network Automation Platform) and the Open Source MANO (OSM) projects. The OPNFV website announced a “sunset” of active development in early 2020, with remaining assets transferred to the Linux Foundation’s “LF Edge” and related repositories. No new releases have been issued since the “Juno” wave.
Legacy
Although the OPNFV project is no longer actively maintained, its contributions—particularly the integration patterns, testing frameworks, and documentation—continue to influence contemporary NFV implementations and standards (e.g., ETSI NFV ISG).
References
- Linux Foundation. “OPNFV – Open Platform for NFV.” Archived project pages, 2014‑2020.
- ETSI. “Network Functions Virtualisation (NFV) – Overview.” Technical Specification, 2022.
- Various whitepapers and conference proceedings documenting OPNFV wave releases and performance evaluations.
