OpenStack Networking Essentials

Build and manage networks in OpenStack using Neutron

About This Book

• Deploy an all-in-one cloud based on OpenStack Liberty (2015.2) using RDO
• Learn the fundamentals of the Neutron API including networks, subnets, and ports, and how to manage these resources in the cloud
• Build simple virtual network infrastructures in the cloud

Who This Book Is For

The book is for those who are new to OpenStack and Neutron who want to learn the cloud networking fundamentals and get started with OpenStack networking. Prior networking experience along with a virtual or physical server is recommended to follow along with the concepts demonstrated in the book.

What You Will Learn

• Install the latest Liberty (2015.2) release of OpenStack using RDO in VirtualBox
• Discover the basics of the Neutron API, including networks, subnets, and ports
• Interact with Neutron using the CLI and Horizon dashboard
• Create networks and subnets that provide connectivity to instances
• Implement software routers that connect networks and provide network address translation
• Secure instances using Neutron's security group functionality

In Detail

The OpenStack Networking API offers users the ability to create and manage both basic and complex network architectures that blend the virtual and physical network infrastructure.
This book kicks off by describing various components of Openstack Neutron and installing Ubuntu OpenStack based on Canonical's process. Further on, you will use various methods to interface with Neutron to create and manage network resources. You will also get to grips with the relationship between ports, networks, and subnets through diagrams and explanations, and see how the logical components are implemented via plugins and agents.
Moving forward, you will learn how virtual switches are implemented and how to build Neutron routers. You will also configure networks, subnets, and routers to provide connectivity to instances using simple examples. At the end, you will configure and manage security groups, and will observe how these rules translate to iptables rules on the host machines.
By the end of the book, you will be able to build basic network architectures using Neutron networks and routers in no time.

Style and approach

An easy-to-follow guide that covers the networking features of OpenStack and the core Neutron API components providing a solid foundation to deploy networks and instances.