Question 1

What is On-Demand OpenStack?

Answer

OpenStack is an open source, multi-tool software platform that enables the construction and management of public and private clouds. This software platform is the overarching cloud management software and handles networking, computing, storage connection, access levels, and much more. Read a Support Center article on OpenStack.

Question 2

How do I add a Flex Metal Cloud as a new Region to my current OpenStack?

Answer

This is native functionality for OpenStack. The steps (simplified) are as follows: Create your new Flex Metal Cloud in the new Pod/geographic location - called Cloud 2. Edit Cloud 2’s OpenStack to use Cloud 1’s Keystone as the source of administration truth and to turn off Cloud 2’s Keystone and Horizon. Then edit Cloud 1 to recognize and admin Cloud 2. Cloud 2 will now appear as a Region in Cloud 1. For the non-simplified version, see “Adding a Region to an Existing OpenStack”.

Question 3

What is the overall connectivity in a Flex Metal Cloud?

Answer

Flex Metal Clouds are organized by “Pods”. Each pod has a minimum of 200gbits of connectivity that can be upgraded based on usage. Pods/overall network may also have direct peering with other cloud providers for maximum throughput.

Question 4

What APIs are available?

Answer

As this is a fully private OpenStack and Ceph cloud, you will have full access to all of OpenStack and Ceph’s APIs.

Question 5

Is there a graphical user interface?

Answer

We offer Flex Metal Central as a GUI as well as by API. OpenStack and Ceph both have an administrative GUI and a “Self Service User” GUI. Of note, as OpenStack and Ceph are often considered to be “API first” or “Infrastructure as Code first” applications, more administrative features are available via API or Command Line than within the administrative interface. For users that you might give Self Service access, OpenStack and Ceph have strong capabilities within the GUI.

Question 6

What is the Open Infrastructure Foundation?

Answer

InMotion Hosting is a Silver Founding Member of the Open Infrastructure Foundation (OIF). OIF builds communities that write open source infrastructure software that runs in production. With the support of over 100,000 individuals in 187 countries, the OIF hosts open source projects and communities of practice, including infrastructure for AI, container-native apps, edge computing, and datacenter clouds. InMotion Hosting is committed to delivering open source projects, community engagement, and services that ensure open source stays transparent and one of the most actively developed projects on the planet. Read our Support Center announcement on becoming a Silver Founding Member.

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