OpenNOP
OpenNOP is a free, open-source network accelerator for Linux and self-hosted deployments.
What OpenNOP is
OpenNOP is a free, open-source network accelerator for Linux and self-hosted deployments. It is designed to improve traffic performance across point-to-point and meshed IP networks, with a stated focus on low-speed links such as ISDN, DSL, DS1, frame-relay, and VPN circuits. Its implemented TCP feature compresses segment payloads with LZ. It can identify peer accelerators by looking for custom TCP options in IP packets. A heartbeat between its user-space daemon and kernel module enables the module to move into bypass mode. The manual describes inline installation as well as out-of-line deployment using policy-based routing. Administrators can use a prebuilt appliance image or prepare a Linux host with libnfnetlink, libnetfilter_queue, and libnl; the manual says any Linux distribution should work. The project is labeled Alpha, and its last listed update is 2015-12-28. Several features—including block-based data reduction, a WCCPv2 client, CLI configuration and statistics, and a web interface—are marked as todo.
Good
- Free and open source under GPLv3
- Compresses TCP payloads using LZ
- Supports inline and policy-based routing deployments
- Prebuilt appliance image is an installation option
Watch out
- Project is labeled Alpha
- Last listed update is 2015-12-28
- Web interface and CLI configuration remain todo
- Custom hosts require three listed software dependencies
Who it suits
OpenNOP suits system administrators looking for a command-line Linux accelerator for low-speed or meshed IP networks. It may also suit teams able to work with a self-hosted deployment and its listed Linux dependencies.
Verdict
OpenNOP offers a focused set of Linux network acceleration features, including TCP payload compression and peer discovery. Its Alpha label, dated update, and unfinished interface and configuration work are important considerations.
Plans and prices
From OpenNOP's own pricing page, checked 4 Oct 2026.
| Plan | Price | What it gives you |
|---|---|---|
| OpenNOP | Free | GPLv3 open-source Linux network accelerator |
The facts
Each one read from OpenNOP's own pages, with the date it was checked.
Where it runs
- Appliance
- The manual calls the prebuilt appliance image the easiest installation option.checked 4 Oct 2026
- Linux requirements
- The manual says any Linux distribution should work and lists libnfnetlink, libnetfilter_queue, and libnl as required software for a custom host.checked 4 Oct 2026
What it does
- Deployment
- The manual describes inline deployment and out-of-line deployment using policy-based routing.checked 4 Oct 2026
- Failure handling
- A heartbeat between the user-space daemon and kernel module allows the kernel module to switch to bypass mode.checked 4 Oct 2026
- Integration
- The overview describes a WCCPv2 client that informs Cisco routers what traffic to redirect to the accelerator.checked 4 Oct 2026
- Intended audience
- SourceForge lists system administrators as the intended audience and command-line as the user interface.checked 4 Oct 2026
- Intended goal
- The project aims to improve performance over low-speed connections such as ISDN, DSL, DS1, frame-relay, and VPN circuits.checked 4 Oct 2026
- License
- The SourceForge project page identifies the license as GNU General Public License version 3.0 (GPLv3).checked 4 Oct 2026
- Peer discovery
- OpenNOP discovers other accelerators by detecting custom TCP options they add to IP packets.checked 4 Oct 2026
- Project status
- SourceForge labels the project Alpha and lists its last update as 2015-12-28.checked 4 Oct 2026
- Purpose
- OpenNOP is an open-source Linux network accelerator designed to optimize traffic over point-to-point, partially meshed, and full-meshed IP networks.checked 4 Oct 2026
- Support
- The official site links to SourceForge forums and support requests.checked 4 Oct 2026
- TCP compression
- The implemented features include LZ compression of TCP segment payloads.checked 4 Oct 2026
- Unfinished features
- The Features page lists block-based data reduction, a WCCPv2 client, CLI configuration and statistics, and a web interface as todo items.checked 4 Oct 2026
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