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☁️ Practical 9: OpenStack Networking (Neutron)

OpenStack Neutron

Objective: Configure Software-Defined Networking (SDN) in OpenStack using Neutron, including virtual networks, routers, and floating IPs.

🖥️ Method 1: Console / GUI Guide (OpenStack Horizon)

If you prefer to configure networking via the Horizon Dashboard, follow these steps:

  1. Log In: Access your Horizon Dashboard.
  2. Create Network: Go to Project > Network > Networks. Click Create Network.
  3. Define Subnet: Provide a network name and configure a subnet (e.g., 192.168.10.0/24). Enable DHCP.
  4. Create Router: Go to Project > Network > Routers. Click Create Router.
  5. Set Gateway: Once created, click Set Gateway and select the external/public network.
  6. Add Interface: Click on the router name, go to the Interfaces tab, and click Add Interface to connect it to your private subnet.
  7. Floating IP: Go to Compute > Instances. On your instance, click the dropdown and select Associate Floating IP to map a public IP for external access.

🚀 Method 2: Automated Script Guide

For rapid, reproducible deployments, use the provided bash scripts.

🔍 Script Analysis

Script Name Action Performed
9neutrondeploy.sh 🟢 Configures a complete Neutron stack, creating a private network, a subnet with DHCP, a virtual router, and successfully bridges it to the public provider network for external connectivity.
9neutroncleanup.sh 🔴 Systematically removes floating IPs, deletes router interfaces, and destroys the virtual networks to reset the networking state.

🛠️ Usage Instructions

Prerequisites:

  • OpenStack environment (DevStack) installed and running.
  • Admin or Project user credentials sourced.

Execute the following commands from the root directory:

# 1. Navigate to scripts folder
cd scripts/

# 2. Provide execution permission
chmod +x 9_neutron_deploy.sh 9_neutron_cleanup.sh

# 3. Set up OpenStack Routers, Networks, and Floating IPs reliably
./9_neutron_deploy.sh      

# 4. Tear down completely OpenStack networking infra when permanently finished
./9_neutron_cleanup.sh

🖼️ Result / Output

Creating a custom software-defined network in OpenStack

Figure 9.1: Creating a custom software-defined network in OpenStack.

OpenStack Neutron dashboard listing configured networks

Figure 9.2: OpenStack Neutron dashboard listing configured networks.

Visualizing the network topology with routers and subnets

Figure 9.3: Visualizing the network topology with routers and subnets.

Configuring a virtual router to bridge internal and external networks

Figure 9.4: Configuring a virtual router to bridge internal and external networks.

Overview of active routers and their gateway interfaces

Figure 9.5: Overview of active routers and their gateway interfaces.

Managing floating IPs for external access to nested instances

Figure 9.6: Managing floating IPs for external access to nested instances.

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