OpenShift on OpenStack

Introduction

OpenShift, an enterprise Kubernetes platform, provides a versatile solution for deploying containerized applications. With its flexibility, organizations can install OpenShift in various environments, including on-premises data centers, public cloud platforms, and hybrid cloud setups. For those leveraging OpenStack infrastructure, the installation process is not only straightforward but also offers seamless integration with existing resources.

Advantages of OpenShift on OpenStack:

1. Utilizing Cinder Volumes for Persistent Volume Claims: OpenShift seamlessly integrates with OpenStack’s Cinder Volumes, ensuring persistent data availability and reliability. This capability is crucial for applications requiring consistent access to storage resources, enhancing the overall stability of the OpenShift cluster.

2. Dynamic Scaling with OpenStack Nova Instances: OpenShift can dynamically scale up and down based on workload demands, leveraging OpenStack Nova instances. This flexibility allows resources to adapt to varying workloads, optimizing efficiency and resource utilization within the OpenStack infrastructure.

3. Accessibility for a Wide Range of Organizations: Any OpenStack tenancy with reasonable resources can deploy an OpenShift cluster. This accessibility democratizes the adoption of container orchestration technology, catering to a diverse range of organizations, from small businesses to large enterprises.

Requirements for Deploying OpenShift on OpenStack:

To embark on the journey of deploying OpenShift on OpenStack, you’ll need the following:

• A tenancy on OpenStack Private Cloud: Ensure you have access to an OpenStack tenancy where you can deploy and manage resources.

• Quota for Resources: Provision a minimum of 80GB and 40 Cores, with specific allocations for 3 Control Plane nodes and 2 Worker nodes, each equipped with 16GB RAM and 8 Cores.

• Floating IPs and DNS Records: Allocate 3 floating IPs for the API endpoint, applications endpoint, and a temporary bootstrap node. Set up DNS records for api.mycluster.domain.com and *.apps.mycluster.domain.com.

• Cloud.yaml File: Create a cloud.yaml file containing tenancy information and API credentials, ensuring secure communication between OpenShift and OpenStack.

• OpenShift Client and Installer: Download the OpenShift client and installer from the provided link.

• OpenShift Subscription: Subscribe for a 60-day trial of OpenShift to access premium features during the deployment process.

Deployment Steps:

1. Prepare Configuration Files: Place your cloud.yaml file in a directory along with the extracted OpenShift install binary.

2. Run the Installer: Execute the OpenShift installer, triggering the creation of a bootstrap node within your project tenancy. This bootstrap node manages the remainder of the deployment process.

3. Monitor Deployment Progress: Sit back and monitor the deployment progress. Once completed, the bootstrap node is automatically removed.

4. Access Your OpenShift Cluster: Upon successful deployment, you’ll receive credentials to access your OpenShift Cluster. Utilize the OpenShift client (oc) from your laptop to interact with the cluster seamlessly.

Conclusion: Deploying OpenShift on OpenStack offers organizations a powerful and flexible solution for managing containerized applications. With minimal effort and in less than an hour, you can unlock the benefits of Kubernetes orchestration on your existing OpenStack infrastructure. Embrace the future of containerization with OpenShift and OpenStack, streamlining your application deployment and management processes.