What is opendaylight?

OpenDaylight is an open‑source platform that acts as a brain for computer networks. It’s a software controller that lets you program and manage the flow of data across many devices (like switches and routers) from a single place, using the ideas of Software‑Defined Networking (SDN).

Let's break it down

  • Software‑Defined Networking (SDN): separates the control part of a network (the “brain”) from the hardware that moves packets (the “muscle”).
  • Controller: the brain; it decides where traffic should go.
  • OpenDaylight (ODL): a specific, community‑driven controller written in Java. It talks to network devices using standard protocols (e.g., OpenFlow, NETCONF).
  • Modules/Plugins: ODL is built from many small pieces called “plugins” that add features like routing, firewall, or virtualization.
  • Northbound APIs: ways for other software (applications, cloud platforms) to tell ODL what they want the network to do.
  • Southbound APIs: ways ODL talks to the actual switches/routers to enforce those decisions.

Why does it matter?

Because it makes networks more flexible, programmable, and cheaper to operate. Instead of manually configuring each device, you can write code or use an app to change the whole network in seconds. This speeds up innovation, supports cloud and IoT growth, and helps operators react quickly to problems or new requirements.

Where is it used?

  • Telecom carriers building virtualized 5G and NFV infrastructures.
  • Data centers that need automated, scalable networking for cloud services.
  • Enterprises looking to implement network automation, security policies, or multi‑tenant isolation.
  • Research labs experimenting with new networking ideas, because ODL is open and extensible.
  • IoT platforms that require dynamic, programmable connectivity for many devices.

Good things about it

  • Open source: free to use, modify, and share; large community contributes improvements.
  • Modular: you can pick only the features you need, keeping the controller lightweight.
  • Standards‑based: supports widely adopted protocols, ensuring compatibility with many devices.
  • Vendor‑neutral: works across hardware from different manufacturers, avoiding lock‑in.
  • Extensible: developers can add custom plugins or integrate with cloud platforms, orchestration tools, and analytics.

Not-so-good things

  • Complexity: the learning curve can be steep for beginners; many modules and configuration files to understand.
  • Performance overhead: being Java‑based and highly modular, it may need careful tuning to handle very high‑throughput environments.
  • Documentation gaps: while improving, some parts of the project still have sparse or outdated docs, making troubleshooting harder.
  • Community support variability: response times and quality can differ depending on the specific plugin or issue.
  • Integration effort: connecting ODL to legacy hardware that doesn’t support modern southbound protocols may require extra adapters or workarounds.