Apache CloudStack

While being tired of OpenStack (and even DevStack) complexity I somehow found nice alternative: Apache CloudStack.

Followed QuickStart (tested on AlmaLinux 8.10, 4 CPUs, 10GB RAM, 45GB disk, 40GB filesystem, 5GB swap):

• https://docs.cloudstack.apache.org/en/4.20.0.0/quickinstallationguide/qig.html

Were able to follow setup with one small exception: there is no network available to be selected for New Instance.

NOTE: before running example CentOS 5.5 instance you have to also create at least one network

Combining several resources (for example https://kb.leaseweb.com/kb/elastic-compute/elastic-compute-getting-started-with-apache-cloudstack/ I was able to SSH from remote host:

• in right-top Blue menu click on Create Network
• fill-in:
  • Name: isonat (isolated with nat)
  • Zone: select only zone Zone1
  • Owner type: Account
  • Domain: select only domain ROOT
  • Account select only account admin
  • Network offering: Offering for Isolated networks with Source Nat Service enabled
• you can leave other fields empty and click on OK to create that network

But before using this network you have to:

• enable egress and ingress traffic
• associate "public" IP address (where "public" means that such network is available outside VM)
• setup SSH port forwarding to reach instance

To allow traffic:

• please follow https://kb.leaseweb.com/kb/elastic-compute/elastic-compute-getting-started-with-apache-cloudstack/ section Step 3: Setting up firewall rules in an Isolated Network both Egress Traffic and Ingress Traffic

Additionally I clicked on assigned "public" IP address and added on "Port Forwarding" tab:

• Private Port: 22
• Public Port: 22
• Protocol: TCP:

When I then started VM a was able to SSH (even from remote machine) to that "public IP address" on SSH port 22. Now one undocumented part:

• use login root and password password to login to VM
• I have found that there is no cloud-init (or similar) so using SSH key-pairs is pointless for this CentOS 5.5 template

NOTE: If you have still troubles to reach VM you can also use Console link (noVNC) and again login as root and password password.

Summary

It is my first touch with Apache CloudStack and so far I'm impressed with it - it took me just around 2 hours from AlmaLinux 8 installation to launching first VM with working SDN network and SSH access.

To compare it: I spend several weeks to install OpenStack with flat network - see https://github.com/hpaluch/osfs/tree/master/linuxbridge