Freedom251 › Container Networking Software
DANM
What DANM is
DANM is a self-hosted network management suite for Kubernetes clusters on Linux, originally developed as Nokia’s TelCo-grade solution. Its CNI metaplugin can provision several network interfaces for a Pod and delegate configuration to other CNI plugins. Built-in IP address management supports dynamic, static, or no allocation for IPv4 and IPv6, with up to 8 million allocations per network object. Its IPVLAN CNI provisions L2 IPVLAN interfaces and supports routes and policy-based routes in Pod network namespaces. Documented integrations include Intel SR-IOV and MACVLAN, as well as delegation to Calico and Flannel. Production-grade mode provides TenantNetwork and ClusterNetwork APIs for administrator-managed shared resources and tenant access. An optional Svcwatcher extends Kubernetes Service discovery across a Pod’s interfaces, while a webhook validates API objects and connects tenant networks to configured physical interface profiles. Users must create a Kubernetes cluster and install DANM manually; the deployment guide says there is no Docker container release. The project is free under the 3-Clause BSD License.
Who it suits
DANM suits Kubernetes administrators who need multiple Pod networks, IP allocation controls, or tenant network management. Its documentation distinguishes lightweight use for new users or single-tenant clusters from production-grade deployments with tenant and administrator roles.
What it does well
- Supports dynamic, static, or no IPv4 and IPv6 allocation.
- Can provision multiple network interfaces to a Pod.
- Documents integration with SR-IOV, MACVLAN, Calico, and Flannel.
- Production mode includes tenant and cluster network APIs.
- Free under the 3-Clause BSD License.
What to know first
- Requires users to create a cluster and install it manually.
- Deployment guide says there is no Docker container release.
- Guide identifies Kubernetes 1.17.x as tested.
- Earlier than Kubernetes 1.9.x is not officially supported.
Limits
DANM requires a self-created Kubernetes cluster and manual installation, and its deployment guide says there is no Docker container release. The guide identifies Kubernetes 1.17.x as tested and says versions earlier than 1.9.x are not officially supported.
Plans
| Plan | Billed and limits | Price |
|---|---|---|
| DANM | Always free · Kubernetes network management | Free |
As github.com lists them, read 7 Oct 2026. The maker's own page has the final word.
Getting started
- Create a Kubernetes cluster on Linux.
- Review the DANM deployment guide and install the project manually.
- Configure a Kubernetes service account with the required RBAC roles.
- Deploy the webhook with certificates.
- Choose the network management mode and configure the network APIs and CNI integrations you need.
Verdict
DANM offers substantial network and tenant-management controls for self-managed Kubernetes clusters. Its manual deployment and stated Kubernetes compatibility should fit the operator’s environment before adoption.
Questions
How much does DANM cost?
DANM is free and listed as always free.
What platforms does DANM support?
It supports Kubernetes on Linux and is deployed as a self-hosted cluster project.
Is DANM open source?
Yes. It is licensed under the 3-Clause BSD License.
Which Kubernetes versions are covered by its deployment guidance?
The guide says DANM is tested with Kubernetes 1.17.x and that versions earlier than 1.9.x are not officially supported.
Does DANM provide a Docker container release?
No. Its deployment guide says users create their own Kubernetes cluster and install DANM manually, and that there is no Docker container release.
What networking integrations are documented?
The documentation describes Intel SR-IOV and MACVLAN integration, plus delegation to Calico and Flannel.
Facts from DANM's own pages
- CNI integrations
- The documentation describes integration with Intel SR-IOV and MACVLAN, and delegation to CNIs including Calico and Flannel. · github.com, 7 Oct 2026
- Deployment requirement
- Users create their own Kubernetes cluster and install DANM manually; the deployment guide says the project has no Docker container release. · github.com, 7 Oct 2026
- Founded
- 2015 · github.com, 28 Sept 2026
- Intended users
- The documentation presents lightweight network management for new users or single-tenant clusters and production-grade management for clusters with tenant and administrator roles. · github.com, 7 Oct 2026
- IP address management
- Built-in IPAM supports dynamic, static, or no IP allocation for IPv4 and IPv6, with up to 8 million allocations per network object. · github.com, 7 Oct 2026
- Kubernetes compatibility
- The deployment guide says DANM is tested with Kubernetes 1.17.x and does not officially support versions earlier than 1.9.x. · github.com, 7 Oct 2026
- Kubernetes services
- The optional Svcwatcher extends Kubernetes Service discovery to work across all network interfaces of a Pod. · github.com, 7 Oct 2026
- License
- The project is licensed under the 3-Clause BSD License. · github.com, 7 Oct 2026
- Multiple interfaces
- Its CNI metaplugin can provision multiple network interfaces to a Pod and delegate setup to other CNI plugins. · github.com, 7 Oct 2026
- Network interfaces
- DANM’s IPVLAN CNI provisions L2 IPVLAN interfaces and supports routes and policy-based routes in Pod network namespaces. · github.com, 7 Oct 2026
- Purpose
- DANM is an end-to-end network management suite for Kubernetes, originally developed as Nokia’s TelCo-grade solution. · github.com, 7 Oct 2026
- Security controls
- DANM deployment instructions call for a Kubernetes service account with RBAC roles, and the webhook deployment uses certificates. · github.com, 7 Oct 2026
- Support and community
- The project README invites users to join its Slack community and says maintainers are happy to discuss networking requirements. · github.com, 7 Oct 2026
- Tenant management
- Production-grade mode provides TenantNetwork and ClusterNetwork APIs so administrators can manage shared network resources and tenants can use resources allocated to them. · github.com, 7 Oct 2026
- Validation and resource assignment
- The webhook validates DANM API objects and connects tenant networks to administrator-configured physical interface profiles. · github.com, 7 Oct 2026
Where DANM stands on Freedom251
- Container Networking Software#8 of 28