We are developing several proof-of-concepts using userspace networking in OpenShift (FDP-1284):

• Primary network in userspace with OVS-DPDK bridges for OVN-Kubernetes, VDUSE/virtio-vdpa for containers and VDUSE/vhost-vdpa for KubeVirt VMs (FDP-1286)
• Secondary networks in userspace with host-based OVS-DPDK and Userspace CNI for KubeVirt VMs (FDP-2762, precursor to PoC FDP-2761, without VDUSE)
• Secondary networks in userspace with pod-ified OVS-DPDK and VDUSE/vhost-vdpa CNI for KubeVirt VMs (FDP-2761, high-perf ref. CNI)

We collected preliminary benchmarks results (iperf3, netperf, and DPDK testpmd) for VM-to-VM traffic over OVN-Kubernetes with VDUSE (FDP-1286) and presented them in our talk Beam Me Through the Datapath: VDUSE for OpenShift Virtualization at OVS+OVN 2025 Conference (recording, slides).

Now, we want to develop user stories that outline the customer scenarios targeted by our experimental userspace networking stack and explain how it addresses customer needs.

For example, we have previously identified scenarios involving Telcos, VMware customers considering migration, and real-time networking requirements. We now aim to map this landscape to communicate it effectively to (product) management and refine our solutions into market-ready products.