Installing OpenStack on CentOS 7 with Ease using Packstack

OpenStack, an open-source project that provides everything needed to deliver cloud computing services from physical infrastructure, is now widely used across various enterprise and development environments. This guide will walk you through the process of setting up OpenStack on CentOS 7 using the Packstack tool.

Prerequisites

To begin, ensure that your CentOS 7 system is up-to-date. This includes installing the necessary tools and configuring your system properly before proceeding with the installation.

Prerequisites Checklist

CentOS 7 installed and updated. A user with sudo privileges. Ensure your system is fully updated: sudo yum update -y

Steps to Install OpenStack using Packstack

Step 1: Install EPEL Repository

Red Hat Enterprise Linux Extras Package (EPEL) is a voluntary collection of packages that provide functionality useful to the broader Linux community. You will need to install the EPEL repository to proceed with the installation of Packstack.

sudo yum install -y epel-release

Step 2: Install Packstack

The next step is to install Packstack on your CentOS 7 system. This tool uses Puppet modules to deploy OpenStack efficiently.

sudo yum install -y openstack-packstack

Step 3: Create an Answer File (Optional but Recommended)

To customize your installation, you can create an answer file. This file acts as a configuration template for Packstack during the installation process.

packstack --gen-answer-filepackstack-answers.txt

Step 4: Edit the Answer File

Open the packstack-answers.txt file and make any necessary modifications, such as setting passwords or specifying services to install.

Step 5: Run Packstack

Now, you can run the installation either with or without an answer file. Here are the commands for both:

With customization: packstack --answer-filepackstack-answers.txt For a quick installation without customization (All-in-One install): packstack --allinone

This All-in-One installation is ideal for proof of concept or development environments where compute and control nodes are deployed on the same machine.

Step 6: Access the OpenStack Dashboard

Once the installation is complete, you can access the OpenStack dashboard Horizon via a web browser. The URL is typically http://your-server-ip/dashboard. The admin credentials will be provided in the terminal output after installation.

Additional Notes

Packstack is well-suited for proof of concept or development environments. For more robust and scalable production environments, consider using OpenStack Ansible or Kolla.

Ensure necessary firewall ports are open and appropriate networking configurations are in place for OpenStack.

Alternative Methods for Installation

Tried and True: TripleO Quickstart

If you have at least 32GB of RAM available, another excellent option is to use the TripleO quickstart. This method is highly customizable and allows you to deploy OpenStack with specific configurations. You can find the necessary code and detailed instructions here.

To run the quickstart:

Clone the repository: git clone Navigate to the repository directory: cd tripleo-quickstart Run the TripleO quickstart script:

TripleO quickstart offers extensive flexibility in customizing your OpenStack deployment, making it an ideal choice for advanced users or those seeking more control over their setup.

Conclusion

Installing OpenStack on CentOS 7 using Packstack or TripleO quickstart is a straightforward process that can significantly simplify your deployment efforts. Whether you are looking for a quick proof of concept or a highly customized production environment, these tools provide the flexibility and ease-of-use you need.

Feel free to ask if you have any specific requirements or run into any issues during the installation process. Enjoy your OpenStack journey!