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Networking in OpenStack

In OpenStack, networking is a central component that enables connectivity between virtual machines (VMs), external networks, and other services. It provides a flexible and scalable infrastructure for creating and managing various network topologies.

This chapter offers an overview of the key networking functionalities in OpenStack and how to configure them.

Key Networking Concepts

  • Virtual Routers (VR): Facilitate the connection between private networks and the public internet. They provide functionalities such as NAT (Network Address Translation) and routing.
  • Private Networks: Isolated networks where your VMs operate. They are not directly accessible from the internet and offer a secure environment for your applications.
  • Floating IPs: Public IP addresses that can be dynamically assigned to VMs to make them accessible from the internet.
  • Security Groups: Firewall rules that control inbound (Ingress) and outbound (Egress) traffic for VMs.
  • Port Forwarding: Redirects incoming traffic from a Floating IP to a specific port on a VM.
  • Load Balancer: Distributes traffic across multiple VMs to enhance the availability and performance of applications.
  • IPSEC VPN: Enables secure site-to-site connections between your OpenStack network and external networks.
  • RBAC Networking: Enables the sharing of networks between different projects using Role-Based Access Control.
  • DNS Management (Designate): Allows for the creation and management of DNS zones and PTR records directly via the OpenStack interface or CLI.