Book Image

Learning OpenStack Networking (Neutron)

By : James Denton
Book Image

Learning OpenStack Networking (Neutron)

By: James Denton

Overview of this book

OpenStack Neutron is an OpenStack component that provides networking as a service for other OpenStack services to architect networks and create virtual machines through its API. This API lets you define network connectivity in order to leverage network capabilities to cloud deployments. Through this practical book, you will build a strong foundational knowledge of Neutron, and will architect and build an OpenStack cloud using advanced networking features. We start with an introduction to OpenStack Neutron and its various components, including virtual switching, routing, FWaaS, VPNaaS, and LBaaS. You’ll also get hands-on by installing OpenStack and Neutron and its components, and use agents and plugins to orchestrate network connectivity and build a virtual switching infrastructure. Moving on, you’ll get to grips with the HA routing capabilities utilizing VRRP and distributed virtual routers in Neutron. You’ll also discover load balancing fundamentals, including the difference between nodes, pools, pool members, and virtual IPs. You’ll discover the purpose of security groups and learn how to apply the security concept to your cloud/tenant/instance. Finally, you' ll configure virtual private networks that will allow you to avoid the use of SNAT and floating IPs when connecting to remote networks.
Table of Contents (21 chapters)
Learning OpenStack Networking (Neutron) Second Edition
Credits
About the Author
About the Reviewers
www.PacktPub.com
Preface
Index

Summary


This chapter laid a foundation for creating networks and subnets that can be utilized by instances and other virtual and physical network devices. Both the Horizon dashboard and the Neutron command-line client can be used to manage networks, subnets, and ports, though the latter is recommended for most administrative tasks.

For more information on network, subnet, and port attributes as well as for guidance on how to use the Neutron API, refer to the OpenStack Wikipedia page at https://wiki.openstack.org/wiki/Neutron/APIv2-specification.

For additional details on deployment scenarios based on provider networks, refer to OpenStack Networking Guide available at http://docs.openstack.org/networking-guide/.

In the next chapter, you will learn how to leverage the Neutron security group functionality to provide network-level security to instances. The configuration of virtual firewalls can be found in Chapter 11, Firewall as a Service.