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Open Network Automation Platform (ONAP)

Open Network Automation Platform (ONAP) is an open-source platform for real-time, policy-driven orchestration and automation of physical and virtual network functions across multi-vendor, multi-technology environments (network automation / orchestration).

  • End-to-end service orchestration and lifecycle management for physical and virtual network functions (network service orchestration).
  • Policy-driven automation framework for closed-loop control and remediation (network automation / policy management).
  • Model-driven design of services, resources, and workflows using standardized information models (service modeling).
  • Telemetry collection, analytics, and event processing to support monitoring and closed-loop automation (network observability and analytics).
  • Extensible, modular architecture integrating with Software Defined Networking (SDN) controllers, MANO stacks, and OSS/BSS systems via open interfaces (integration and interoperability).

More About Open Network Automation Platform (ONAP)

Open Network Automation Platform (ONAP) addresses automation of design, deployment, and operation of network services and infrastructure across heterogeneous environments, including physical network functions, virtualized network functions, and cloud-native network functions (network automation / orchestration). It was created within the Linux Foundation and is hosted under LF Networking, combining earlier automation efforts into a unified platform for large-scale service providers and operators.

ONAP provides a model-driven framework for service and resource design (service modeling). Using modeling tools, operators define services, network functions, relationships, and policies in a way that can be reused and versioned. These models drive the orchestration and lifecycle management processes, enabling instantiation, scaling, updating, and retirement of services across distributed infrastructure.

The platform implements end-to-end service orchestration and management (network service orchestration). It coordinates provisioning of resources across multiple domains, including cloud infrastructure, virtual infrastructure managers, and physical network devices. ONAP interacts with SDN controllers and Network Functions Virtualization (NFV) management and orchestration systems through standardized and open interfaces, which allows integration into multi-vendor environments and coexistence with existing OSS/BSS platforms (systems integration).

Policy-driven control is a core function within ONAP (policy management). The platform includes a policy framework through which operators define rules for service behavior, security, and operational constraints. These policies guide orchestration decisions and enable automations such as scaling, healing, and reconfiguration without manual intervention, aligning behavior with operator-defined intent.

ONAP also includes capabilities for data collection, analytics, and closed-loop automation (network observability and analytics). Telemetry from network elements, services, and infrastructure is ingested and processed to detect events, anomalies, or Service Level Agreement (SLA) deviations. Based on analytics outcomes and defined policies, ONAP can trigger corrective actions, such as rerouting, resource scaling, or function restart, enabling closed-loop control workflows.

The architecture is modular and extensible (platform architecture). ONAP is composed of multiple subsystems handling design, orchestration, control, analytics, policy, and external integration. It exposes APIs for integration with operator workflows, external inventory, customer-facing portals, and business support systems. This positions ONAP as a central automation and orchestration layer in carrier and enterprise networks seeking a model-driven, policy-controlled operations framework for complex, multi-domain network services.