os-ken
A component-based software defined networking framework for OpenStack
Decision gist · record as of 2026-08-14
Yes, if you are working within an OpenStack environment and need to build or extend SDN applications. The package is actively maintained, has low install friction, carries a permissive license, and has no known vulnerabilities. It is not a general-purpose networking library—it is specifically tailored for OpenStack Neutron and OpenFlow-based infrastructure, so install it only if that matches your deployment model.AI-flagged interpretation of the facts on this page — verify before relying
Before you install
- Requires Python 3.10 or later; intended for OpenStack deployments or environments with OpenFlow-capable network hardware or simulators.
- Low install friction with a pure-Python wheel distribution.
- Active maintenance status with a recent release within 63 days.
License · maintenance · safety
Apache-2.0 (permissive) — Apache License 2.0 (permissive) allows use in commercial and proprietary projects with minimal restrictions; you must retain license notices and disclaim warranties.
last release 2026-06-12 (63 days)
0 known vulnerabilities (OSV.dev, 2026-08-14) · 141,065 downloads/mo, #11,253 on PyPI
Alternatives
Verify before relying
pip install os-ken
from os_ken.base import app_manager
from os_ken.controller import ofp_event
from os_ken.ofproto import ofproto_v1_3
class SimpleSwitch(app_manager.RyuApp):
OFP_VERSIONS = [ofproto_v1_3.OFP_VERSION]- Whether the package works with specific OpenFlow versions beyond what the classifiers indicate.
- Performance characteristics and scalability limits for large network topologies.
- Integration requirements and compatibility with specific OpenStack releases.
What it is and what it does
os-ken is a fork of the Ryu SDN framework adapted for OpenStack Neutron. It provides a Python-based platform for building OpenFlow controllers that can manage and monitor network switches and devices programmatically. The framework is component-based, meaning you build applications by extending base classes and registering event handlers for network events like switch connections and packet arrivals.
The package sits at the intersection of network infrastructure and application logic—it handles the low-level OpenFlow protocol details (via dependencies like ncclient and msgpack) while exposing a higher-level event-driven API. It's designed for operators and developers working within OpenStack environments who need to implement custom network policies, traffic engineering, or monitoring on top of their SDN infrastructure.
Use it for
- Build custom OpenFlow controllers to manage network traffic policies in OpenStack deployments.
- Monitor and react to network events (switch joins, packet arrivals) in a programmatic way.
- Implement network slicing or traffic engineering logic on top of OpenFlow switches.
- Prototype and test SDN applications in OpenStack lab or production environments.
- Integrate network control logic directly into OpenStack Neutron workflows.
Worth the install?
AI-flagged interpretation of the facts on this page. Verify before relying on it.
Yes, if you are working within an OpenStack environment and need to build or extend SDN applications.
The package is actively maintained, has low install friction, carries a permissive license, and has no known vulnerabilities. It is not a general-purpose networking library—it is specifically tailored for OpenStack Neutron and OpenFlow-based infrastructure, so install it only if that matches your deployment model.
Install
os-ken on PyPI
Before you install
Low install friction with a pure-Python wheel distribution. Active maintenance status with a recent release within 63 days. Ten runtime dependencies including eventlet, msgpack, and ncclient provide the networking and async foundations the framework needs.
Requires Python 3.10 or later; intended for OpenStack deployments or environments with OpenFlow-capable network hardware or simulators.
License in practice
Apache License 2.0 (permissive) allows use in commercial and proprietary projects with minimal restrictions; you must retain license notices and disclaim warranties.
Quickstart
pip install os-ken
from os_ken.base import app_manager
from os_ken.controller import ofp_event
from os_ken.ofproto import ofproto_v1_3
class SimpleSwitch(app_manager.RyuApp):
OFP_VERSIONS = [ofproto_v1_3.OFP_VERSION]Verify before relying
- Whether the package works with specific OpenFlow versions beyond what the classifiers indicate.
- Performance characteristics and scalability limits for large network topologies.
- Integration requirements and compatibility with specific OpenStack releases.
Package facts
| License | Apache-2.0 permissive |
| Python support | Supports the current Python release >=3.10 |
| Install friction | Low. Pure-Python wheel |
| Runtime dependencies | 10 packagespbreventletmsgpackncclientnetaddroslo.configovspackagingRoutesWebOb |
| Maintenance | Actively maintained 63 days since the last release |
| First released | |
| Downloads | 141,065 / month, #11,253 on PyPI 30-day window, as of 2026-08-14 |
| Known vulnerabilities | None known OSV.dev, checked 2026-08-14 |
| Classifiers | Environment :: OpenStackIntended Audience :: Information TechnologyIntended Audience :: System AdministratorsLicense :: OSI Approved :: Apache Software LicenseOperating System :: POSIX :: LinuxProgramming Language :: PythonProgramming Language :: Python :: 3Programming Language :: Python :: 3 :: OnlyProgramming Language :: Python :: 3.10Programming Language :: Python :: 3.11Programming Language :: Python :: 3.12Programming Language :: Python :: 3.13Programming Language :: Python :: Implementation :: CPython |
Evidence: os_ken-4.2.1-py3-none-any.whl
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See also os-vif · os-client-config · neutron-lib · os-service-types · os-resource-classes · os-brick · python-neutronclient · os-traits · castellan · openstacksdk