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How to Install OpenStack on Ubuntu?

Cloud computing has been transforming business operations through its continuous improvement in terms of scalability, efficiency, and innovation. OpenStack is one such cloud computing platform that offers an open-source, flexible solution for building cloud infrastructure on Ubuntu, a stable operating system. This platform offers businesses to create virtual machines, manage storage, and configure networks within a comprehensive cloud environment. By leveraging OpenStack, businesses can deploy customizable, cost-effective cloud solutions that adapt to their evolving technological needs.

In this blog, we are going to provide you a step-by-step tutorial for OpenStack installation on Ubuntu. Let’s start.

How to Install OpenStack on Ubuntu

Prerequisites

  • Ubuntu Version: Use Ubuntu 24.04 LTS for the latest compatibility with OpenStack.
  • Hardware: A multi-core amd64 processor with preferably 4+ cores, adequate RAM (minimum 8GB, but 16GB or more recommended), and sufficient disk space (at least 40GB).
  • Network: A stable internet connection for downloading packages.

Step-by-Step Installation Using MicroStack (Sunbeam)

To begin with, we are going to first install Microstack, a fully-fledged program of OpenStack designed for development, testing, and small-scale cloud deployments. MicroStack, based on the Sunbeam project, offers a simplified way to deploy OpenStack for small to medium-scale deployments:

1. Install Openstack

  • Firstly, we will install OpenStack using snap:
sudo snap install openstack --channel 2023.1

Next, we have to prepare the machine to make sure all our dependencies are installed.

2. Prepare the Machine

  • Prepare the machine, by running the below command
sunbeam prepare-node-script | bash -x && newgrp snap_daemon

It will run a script that will install missing dependencies and set system configurations.

Use this command, to view the contents of this script,

sunbeam prepare-node-script

The script will install dependencies and set passwordless sudo for the present user.

3. Update Your System

  • If system is not updated, update your system to ensure all packages are up to date:
sudo apt update && sudo apt upgrade -y
  • Reboot if necessary after upgrades:
sudo reboot

4. Deploy OpenStack

Once the script has finished running, we can start to deploy the OpenStack cloud using this command:

sunbeam cluster bootstrap --accept-defaults

This will bootstrap the cloud cluster with the help of some set pre defaults.

We can skip and use values by running this command instead:

sunbeam cluster bootstrap

Next, we’ll be asked to enter the address ranges and also CIDR of our control plane; Example:

Management networks shared by hosts (CIDRs, separated by comma) (10.20.20.0/24): 172.16.1.0/24
 MetalLB address allocation range (supports multiple ranges, comma separated) (10.20.20.10-10.20.20.20): 172.16.1.201-172.16.1.220

Then, we have to configure our cluster and get our login credentials:

sunbeam configure --accept-defaults --openrc demo-openrc

This command will again use the prefilled defaults. To skip this, and to choose our values, we can just remove the –accept-defaults part from the command.

Now, we’ll have our OpenStack cluster deployed.

5. Launch a VM

Finally, our cluster is ready, and we can start testing it by VM instance:

sunbeam launch ubuntu --name test

We will set the name of our VM as a test for example, and it is based on an Ubuntu image.

An example of the output for the previous command:

Launching an OpenStack instance ...
Access instance with `ssh -i /home/ubuntu/.config/openstack/sunbeam [email protected]`

Now, we have a deployed OpenStack cluster, and we have also created a VM instance within it.

Note: Always refer to the official OpenStack and Ubuntu installation guide for latest updates.

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FAQ’s

How can I perform OpenStack installation on Windows 10?

OpenStack is typically designed for Linux environments. However, you can use a virtual machine (e.g., VirtualBox) on Windows 10 to create a Linux environment and install OpenStack.

Is it possible to do OpenStack installation on bare metal servers?

Yes, OpenStack can be installed on bare metal servers. You’ll need a supported Linux distribution (like Ubuntu or CentOS) and tools like OpenStack-Ansible or Kolla-Ansible for deployment.

What are the hardware requirements for installing OpenStack?

The minimum requirements include 8 GB RAM, 2 CPUs, and 100 GB of disk space. For production, you may need higher specifications based on workloads.

Can I install OpenStack without virtualization?

Yes, you can install OpenStack directly on physical (bare metal) hardware. This method is often used for high-performance and production environments.

What is the easiest way to install OpenStack for beginners?

The simplest method is using DevStack, a lightweight OpenStack distribution. Install it on a Linux-based system or virtual machine to explore OpenStack’s features in a non-production setting.

May 22, 2025