OpenContrail is an Apache 2.0-licensed project that is built using standards-based protocols and provides all the necessary components for network virtualization–SDN controller, virtual router, analytics engine, and published northbound APIs. It has an extensive REST API to configure and gather operational and analytics data from the system. Built for scale, OpenContrail can act as a fundamental network platform for cloud infrastructure. The key aspects of the system are:
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Network Virtualization: Virtual networks are the basic building block of the OpenContrail approach. Access-control, services and connectivity are defined via high level policies. By implementing inter-network routing in the host, OpenContrail reduces latency for traffic crossing virtual-networks. Eliminating intermediate gateways also improves resiliency and minimizes complexity.
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Network Programmability and Automation: OpenContrail uses a well-defined data model to describe the desired state of the network. It then translates that information into configuration needed by each control node and virtual router. By defining the configuration of the network versus of a specific device, OpenContrail simplifies and automates network orchestration.
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Big Data for Infrastructure: The analytics engine is designed for very large scale ingestion and querying of structured and unstructured data. Real-time and historical data is available via a simple REST API, providing visibility over a wide variety of information.
OpenContrail can forward traffic within and between virtual networks without traversing a gateway. It supports features such as IP address management; policy-based access control; NAT and traffic monitoring. It interoperates directly with any network platform that supports the existing BGP/MPLS L3VPN standard for network virtualization.
