Sign in Subscribe
Old Blog

Building a Bulletproof OpenStack Cloud: A Guide to High Availability on Ubuntu-based Systems

Kevin Coupal

• 2 min read
Building a Bulletproof OpenStack Cloud: A Guide to High Availability on Ubuntu-based Systems

OpenStack is a powerful open-source platform for building and managing cloud computing infrastructure. One of its key features is its ability to provide high availability (HA) for various services, such as compute, storage, and networking. This is particularly valuable in environments where uptime and availability are critical, such as in production settings. In this blog post, we will explore how to create the best OpenStack environment in HA mode on Ubuntu-based systems.

Understanding OpenStack Components for HA

Before setting up OpenStack in HA mode, it’s important to understand its components and how they can be configured for HA. OpenStack consists of several core services, including:

  • Nova (Compute)
  • Cinder (Block Storage)
  • Neutron (Networking)

Each service can be configured for HA differently, depending on the requirements of your environment.

Key Considerations for High Availability

1. Redundant Controllers

Controller nodes are the central point of management in OpenStack. To ensure HA, configure redundant controllers so that if one fails, another takes over seamlessly.

How:

  • Use a virtual IP managed by a cluster resource manager like Pacemaker or Corosync to provide failover capabilities.

2. Compute Nodes

OpenStack’s Nova service supports HA by enabling multiple compute nodes to share storage and network resources.

Benefit:

  • If one compute node goes down, another can take over and continue providing computing resources.

3. Storage Nodes

The Cinder service can achieve HA by using multiple storage nodes with shared storage resources.

Result:

  • If a storage node fails, another node ensures uninterrupted access to storage resources.

4. Networking

Networking is a critical part of any OpenStack deployment and should be configured for HA.

Options:

  • Use Neutron’s L3 High Availability to create redundant routers that take over in case of failure.
  • Use a virtual IP address managed by Pacemaker or Corosync for failover capabilities.

System Setup on Ubuntu-based Systems

Ubuntu is a popular choice for OpenStack deployments and offers several tools to simplify the installation process:

OpenStack Autopilot

  • Automates the installation and setup of OpenStack on Ubuntu servers.
  • Provides an efficient way to deploy OpenStack quickly.

conjure-up Tool

  • A user-friendly interface designed specifically for deploying OpenStack on Ubuntu-based systems.
  • Ideal for newcomers to OpenStack, it simplifies the management of OpenStack environments.

Conclusion

Setting up an OpenStack environment in high availability mode can be challenging but is essential for any production environment. By:

  • Configuring redundant controllers,
  • Ensuring HA for compute, storage, and networking resources,

you can create a robust OpenStack environment that continues to operate even during failures. Ubuntu-based systems, with tools like OpenStack Autopilot and conjure-up, make the process easier and more accessible.

For detailed instructions, refer to the official OpenStack HA Guide: https://docs.openstack.org/ha-guide/.

Visit our Helpdesk to learn more. We are one of the most secure cloud providers in Canada. KeepSec: securing your future, one byte at a time!