OpenStack is open source software for building public and private clouds as well as privately hosted software defined infrastructure services. In the fall of 2017, the OpenStack Foundation released the 16th version of OpenStack, known as Pike, to the public. Since its introduction as an open source project in 2010 by NASA and Rackspace, OpenStack has undergone significant improvements in its features and functionality thanks to developers and operators worldwide. Their hard work has resulted in production-ready cloud software that powers workloads of all sizes throughout the world.

In 2012, the Folsom release of OpenStack introduced a standalone networking component known then as Quantum. Long since renamed Neutron, the networking component of OpenStack provides cloud operators and users with an API used to create and manage network resources in the cloud. Neutron's extensible framework allows for third-party plugins and additional network services, such as load balancers, firewalls, and virtual private networks, to be deployed and managed.

As an architect and operator of hundreds of OpenStack-based private clouds since 2012, I have seen much of what OpenStack has to offer in terms of networking capabilities. In this book, I have condensed what I feel are its most valuable and production-ready features to date. Throughout this book, we will take a look at a few common network and service architectures and lay a foundation for deploying and managing OpenStack Networking that can help you develop and sharpen your skills as an OpenStack cloud operator.