F5 Private Cloud Solutions > 1. Class 1: F5 Private Cloud Solutions for Openstack Source | Edit on
1.1. Getting Started¶
During this lab you will learn how to:
- Install the F5 LBaaS Agent using Ansible
- Deploy Basic L4-L7 services using LBaaS
- Deploy enhanced L4-L7 services using ESD.
1.1.1. About OpenStack¶
OpenStack provides an Open Source Infrastructure As-A Service (IaaS) solution that provides a framework for provisioning Network, Compute, and Storage in an automated and repeatable manner.
1.1.2. About LBaaS¶
Load Balancing As-A Service (LBaaS) is a community standard around providing Load Balancing as a standardized service within OpenStack. The current version, LBaaS v2, provides basic L4-L7 capabilities.
1.1.3. About F5 & OpenStack¶
F5 can be deployed in two ways in an OpenStack environment. The two methods are a undercloud or overcloud deployment. It is possible to use one or both of these methodologies when deploying F5 & OpenStack.
1.1.3.1. Undercloud: LBaaS¶
Undercloud commonly refers to a deployment where the BIG-IP device (physical or virtual) is outside of the OpenStack environment. Typically this is done with physical hardware to provide a multi-tenant environment and used with LBaaS.
1.1.3.2. Overcloud: HEAT¶
Overcloud refers to a deployment where a BIG-IP Virtual Edition (VE) is provisioned within a tenant network as a virtual machine within OpenStack Nova. In this scenario the BIG-IP is in a similar topology to other tenant virtual machines. When deploying in overcloud OpenStack HEAT templates (automation templates) are commonly used to deploy the BIG-IP device. A customer can manage the BIG-IP device through traditional methods, HEAT templates, and/or other automation templates.
It is also possible to deploy a BIG-IP VE in an overcloud deployment and use LBaaS. In this deployment you are limited by the number of interfaces currently supported on BIG-IP VE can use (9 data & 1 mgmt).
1.1.4. Under or Over?¶
The decision to use one method or both will depend on customer requirements. An undercloud deployment using LBaaS is well suited to providing basic services that can be provided in a multi-tenant manner. Overcloud is well suited to providing access to features and functions that may not be exposed via LBaaS or provide per-tenant services.