OpenStack Nova, also known as OpenStack Compute, is massively scalable and provides self-service style access to compute resources like virtual machines, containers, and bare metal services.
OpenStack Nova, also known as OpenStack Compute, is massively scalable and provides self-service style access to compute resources like virtual machines, containers, and bare metal services. Asides from being absolutely fundamental to your OpenStack cloud, Nova creates the computing resources of your cloud. Certainly, we don't need to tell you that this is a significant role and there's a reason why Nova is one of the most important services in your cloud.
Our aim today is to talk about OpenStack Nova and its role within your OpenStack powered cloud. Keep reading to learn more about this integral OpenStack project and how it relies upon and interacts with other projects to power your cloud.
What Is OpenStack Nova?
The OpenStack project Nova is a powerhouse that is responsible for everything from instance sizing to creation and management location. It is the project that enables virtual servers and has the ability to support the creation of virtual machines. Nova is able to provide on-demand access to compute resources thanks to its capacity to provision and manage big networks of virtual machines. By virtue of OpenStack Ironic, Nova is also able to support bare metal services. Moreover, Nova is also able to offer some support for system containers through Linux servicers that are able to run daemons. Thus making it a powerful but versatile aspect of your OpenStack cloud.
Basic OpenStack Services That Interact With Nova
There are certain OpenStack services needed to ensure that Nova functions at its most basic level. These are OpenStack Keystone, Glance, Neutron, and Placement. Even though Nova is able to integrate with other projects to provide other services such as bare metal compute instances, block storage and more, these are the base projects that allow Nova to work.
Keystone
Firstly, Keystone authenticates all of OpenStack's services and provides them with an identity. Keystone is the first element installed on OpenStack and it is in charge of all projects, including Nova.
Glance
Glance, on the other hand, works to manage server images for your cloud. Therefore, it has the power to upload OpenStack compatible images through the compute image repository.
Neutron
Neutron is extremely powerful, as it provisions the virtual or physical networks that compute instances inside your OpenStack cloud. Everything from creating virtual networks, firewalls and more begins with Neutron.
Placement
Finally, when it comes to tracking the inventory of resources inside your OpenStack cloud, Nova needs Placement to provide assistance in choosing which provider of resources will be the best choice when creating a virtual machine.
These additional OpenStack services heavily interact with Nova to ensure optimal functionality and performance. As an end-user, Nova will be a powerful tool for users to create and manage servers with tools or with API directly. OpenStack Client completes this task, which is the command-line interface that commands most of the projects in OpenStack. Moreover, if you need to avail of more advanced features, Nova Client is another option but it's recommended that users opt to use OpenStack Client or Horizon as tools for Nova.
Get Started With OpenStack Nova
Curious to learn more about how Nova powers your OpenStack cloud? The team of experts at VEXXHOST is here to guide you through every step of your OpenStack journey. We're here to ensure that you utilize each project to their fullest potential. Contact us today to get set up with the very best OpenStack cloud environment to suit your unique needs.
