Cloud: A Secure and Cost-Effective Storage Solution

The biggest advantage of cloud solutions is that they can be accessed even from devices without high-performance hardware. Flexible and scalable computing power is in the cloud. You only need a fast and reliable connection. This makes complex networks much cheaper. The acquisition cost is greatly reduced. 

For example, you can use a cloud environment on a virtual rental server. This is a very interesting use for small businesses and start-ups who can’t afford a lot in the IT field.

What do I need to know about OpenStack?

The OpenStack software package contains all the necessary components to create a cloud environment. It’s a relatively recent project, but it’s already stable and safe. OpenStack was founded in 2010 by NASA, the US Space Agency and Rackspace.

NASA wanted to develop software for projects that would allow flexible and temporary setup of computer networks. Well-known companies such as AT&T, RedHat, Canonical (Ubuntu developer), Intel, IBM and Huawei have been involved in this project and have been involved in the development.

What are the components of OpenStack?

Nova

Nova is the computing component of OpenStack Cloud and is the first component to be integrated with OpenStack in 2010. It is a kind of cloud backbone and performs its core task: virtual machine management.  Virtual machines are interconnected by synaptic connections. The number of nodes (also called synapses) is variable. Nova uses an unlicensed KVM hypervisor built into the Linux and Xen kernels developed by the University of Cambridge as the basis for the mostly used virtual machines.

Keystone

Keystone is responsible for user authentication and authentication (Identity). Cloud computing not only manages virtual machines, but also sets up an entire network. In this context, user identification and distinction between activities are essential. Keystone gives individualized access to each cloud user (referred to as “subject”). This access also identifies the rights of the subject.

Glance

Glance makes it possible to use “images”, that is, data carrier images of virtual machines. In addition, Glance can also backup and restore images. You can create some sort of library with a model of the system you need. It can be recreated later on the network whenever needed. Plus, Glance guarantees availability because you can always rebuild the machines you need.

Neutron

Neutron (formerly Quantum) is OpenStack’s virtual network infrastructure. This allows you to deploy subnets, manage IP addresses, and create VLANs (virtual networks). Virtual Private Networks (VPNs) are also supported by Neutron. This component primarily allows data exchange between OpenStack elements (e.g. between individual virtual machines). The network firewall is also set up by Neutron.

Cinder

Cinder provides persistent storage with bulk storage like hard drives. It is created through concrete through virtualization. So, you can adjust the volume as needed (scalability). Cinder block storage behaves like a computer’s physical hard drive. Data security is simple as users can access the hard drive through a central interface with snapshot function.

Swift

Swift is Object Storage. You can link repositories from different locations so that you can use randomly distributed data objects across adjacent repositories. This creates transparent redundancy if necessary because the object can be physically stored multiple times. In addition, storage provided by Swift can be used by Cinder or Glance. Thanks to Ceph or GlusterFS, you can also use distributed object memory as a substructure.

Horizon

Horizon is your dashboard. In short, Horizon is a graphical user interface that allows you to manage grouped components in OpenStack. It is also used for user management. Horizon’s design and functionality are adjustable.