> ## Documentation Index
> Fetch the complete documentation index at: https://resources.devweekends.com/llms.txt
> Use this file to discover all available pages before exploring further.

# LF Networking Mentorship (LFN)

> Guide to the Linux Foundation Networking Mentorship — contribute to open-source networking projects

<Info>
  **TL;DR** — The LFN Mentorship Program focuses on open-source networking projects like ONAP, OPNFV, and OpenDaylight. It's part of the broader LFX Mentorship ecosystem with similar stipends and structure, but specialized for networking and telecom infrastructure.
</Info>

## What is LFN Mentorship?

The Linux Foundation Networking (LFN) Mentorship Program connects developers with open-source **networking and telecom** projects. It's ideal for developers interested in:

* Software-defined networking (SDN)
* Network function virtualization (NFV)
* 5G and telecom infrastructure
* Cloud-native networking
* Network automation and orchestration

## Key Projects

| Project         | Description                                                  |
| --------------- | ------------------------------------------------------------ |
| ONAP            | Open Network Automation Platform — orchestration for telecom |
| OpenDaylight    | SDN controller platform                                      |
| FD.io           | Fast data input/output — high-performance networking         |
| Tungsten Fabric | Multi-cloud networking platform                              |
| Anuket          | Reference architecture for NFV infrastructure                |

## Program Structure

| Aspect   | Details                                      |
| -------- | -------------------------------------------- |
| Duration | 12 weeks (full-time) or 24 weeks (part-time) |
| Format   | Fully remote                                 |
| Stipend  | $3,000 – $6,600 USD (PPP-based, same as LFX) |
| Platform | Hosted on LFX Mentorship portal              |

## How to Apply

1. Browse LFN mentorship projects on the [LFX Mentorship portal](https://mentorship.lfx.linuxfoundation.org/)
2. Filter by networking-related projects
3. Follow the standard LFX application process (see [LFX Mentorship page](/resources/open-source-programs/lfx-mentorship) for details)

## Who Should Apply?

This program is particularly good for:

* Computer science students interested in **networking** and protocol-level systems programming
* Developers working on or learning about **cloud infrastructure** who want to specialize in the networking layer
* Anyone interested in **telecom and 5G** technologies -- the industry is actively hiring and LFN experience is a strong differentiator
* Developers who want to work on **high-performance, low-latency systems** where nanoseconds matter

## Practical Tips for Strong Applications

1. **Learn networking fundamentals first** — Before applying, ensure you understand TCP/IP basics, SDN concepts, and can explain what a virtual network function (VNF) does. The projects assume baseline networking knowledge.
2. **Deploy ONAP or OpenDaylight locally** — Even a partial local deployment demonstrates genuine interest and technical capability. Document any setup issues you encounter -- this itself can become a contribution.
3. **Familiarize yourself with the ONAP wiki and architecture docs** — These projects have steep learning curves. Reading the architecture documentation before applying shows mentors you are serious about the domain.
4. **Highlight any networking coursework or projects** — Even academic projects involving socket programming, network simulation, or SDN controllers (like using Mininet) are relevant and help your application stand out.

## Resources

| Resource              | Link                                                                                                                       |
| --------------------- | -------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------- |
| LFN Mentorship Info   | [wiki.lfnetworking.org/display/LN/LFN+Mentorship+Program](https://wiki.lfnetworking.org/display/LN/LFN+Mentorship+Program) |
| LFX Mentorship Portal | [mentorship.lfx.linuxfoundation.org](https://mentorship.lfx.linuxfoundation.org/)                                          |
| LF Networking         | [lfnetworking.org](https://www.lfnetworking.org/)                                                                          |