Preface

In the fall of 2015, the OpenStack Foundation released the 12th version of OpenStack, code-named Liberty, to the public. Since its introduction as an open source project in 2010 by NASA and Rackspace, OpenStack has undergone significant improvements in its features and functionality and has matured into production-ready cloud software that powers workloads of all sizes throughout the world.

In 2012, the Folsom release of OpenStack introduced a standalone networking component, known then as Quantum. Now known as Neutron, the networking component of OpenStack provides cloud operators and users with an API to create and manage networks in the cloud. Neutron's extensible framework allows for third-party plugins and additional network services, such as load balancers, firewalls, and virtual private networks, to be deployed and managed.

As an architect and operator of hundreds of OpenStack-based private clouds since 2012, I have seen much of what OpenStack has to offer in terms of networking capabilities, and I have condensed what I feel are its most valuable and production-ready features to date into this book. Throughout this book, we will take a look at a few common network and service architectures and lay a foundation for deploying and managing OpenStack Networking, which will help you develop and sharpen your skills as an OpenStack cloud operator.