Introduction to OpenContrail

OpenContrail is an Apache 2.0 licensed open source project that provides a complete SDN and network virtualization solution for cloud infrastructure. The OpenContrail project architecture addresses networking requirements for two main use cases.

History

OpenContrail can trace its roots to Contrail Systems, a startup focused on disrupting the traditional hardware-oriented networking industry. It created a software-centric networking solution to help drive the need for SDN. In 2012, Contrail Systems was acquired by Juniper Networks and soon thereafter, the software was released under an Apache 2.0 license as an open source project called OpenContrail.

Use cases

Increasingly, operators are migrating toward software-based networking functions for firewall, WAN optimizers, load balancers, and intrusion prevention. These networking functions are implemented in software using specific virtual machine appliances instead of physical hardware. These appliances and functions...