Ovs License Agreement

OVS License Agreement: An Overview

If you`re a software developer or a user of open-source software, you might have heard of OVS. OVS stands for Open vSwitch, which is a popular open-source virtual switch used in data centers and cloud computing environments. Like most open-source projects, OVS has a license agreement that governs its usage, distribution, and modification. In this article, we`ll take a closer look at the OVS license agreement and what it means for developers and users.

The OVS License Agreement: GPL v2

The OVS project is licensed under the GNU General Public License version 2 (GPL v2), which is one of the most widely used open-source licenses. The GPL v2 is a copyleft license that grants users the right to use, distribute, and modify the software under certain conditions. The key condition of the GPL v2 is that any derivative works of the software must also be licensed under the GPL v2. In other words, if you modify OVS and distribute your modifications, you must also distribute your modifications under the GPL v2.

What Does the OVS License Agreement Mean for Developers?

If you`re a developer who wants to modify or distribute OVS, you must comply with the terms and conditions of the GPL v2 license agreement. This means that any modifications you make to OVS must also be licensed under the GPL v2. Additionally, any programs that use OVS must also be licensed under the GPL v2 if they are distributed as part of a single product.

It`s worth noting that the GPL v2 doesn`t require you to release the source code of your modifications if you don`t distribute them. For example, if you modify OVS for your own personal use and don`t distribute the modified version, you don`t have to release the source code. However, if you distribute the modified version, you must release the source code under the GPL v2.

What Does the OVS License Agreement Mean for Users?

If you`re a user of OVS, you can use the software for any purpose, including commercial purposes, as long as you comply with the terms and conditions of the GPL v2 license agreement. This means that any programs that use OVS must also be licensed under the GPL v2 if they are distributed as part of a single product.

As a user, you also have the right to modify OVS for your own personal use. However, if you distribute the modified version, you must comply with the terms and conditions of the GPL v2 license agreement.

Conclusion

The OVS license agreement is an important aspect of the OVS project. It ensures that the software remains open-source and that any modifications to the software are also open-source. As a developer or user of OVS, it`s important to understand the terms and conditions of the GPL v2 license agreement and to comply with them. By doing so, you`ll be contributing to the open-source community and helping to ensure that open-source software remains free and accessible to everyone.