Features/OpenStack Quantum

= OpenStack Quantum = Quantum is a virtual networking service for OpenStack. For installation, configuration and troubleshooting please refer to Quantum

Owner

 * Name: Bob Kukura
 * Email: rkukura@redhat.com

Current status

 * Targeted release: Fedora 17
 * Last updated: March 5, 2012
 * Percentage of completion: 100%

Detailed Description
Quantum is a virtual networking service developed for the OpenStack cloud computing platform, but also applicable to other advanced virtual machine network deployments. The Diablo release of Quantum has been available for Fedora 16 for several months as a standalone service. Fedora 17 will include the Essex release of Quantum, integrated with the the Essex release of OpenStack Compute (nova). Plugins will be provided supporting Features/Open vSwitch, Linux bridging, the Ryu network operating system, and certain Cisco and Nicira products for network transport between VMs within and across hosts.

Information on the upstream project is available at Quantum Launchpad and Quantum Wiki.

Benefit to Fedora
Fedora users will be able to construct and manage arbitrary independent virtual layer 2 networks for OpenStack clouds or other large-scale virtual machine deployments. These virtual networks are realized using any of several included plugins, or a custom plugin.

As Quantum continues to evolve, layer 3 and higher constructs such as routing, VPNs, firewalls, and load balancing will be incorporated.

Scope
This feature involves packaging, integration, and testing for Fedora, along with participation in the upstream development community. The F16 Diablo-based package has been updated to the Essex E4 milestone release and will be updated to the final 2012.1 Essex release prior to the F17 Final Change Deadline.

How To Test
Quantum will be tested along with other OpenStack components as part of OpenStack Test Day. Test procedures will be developed and documented in preparation.

User Experience
OpenStack cloud adminstrators will have the option of installing and deploying Quantum, allowing cloud users to use it to create and manage tennant networks. Other users can explore Quantum's capabilities, and integrate it with their own infrastructure.

Dependencies
All external dependencies (mainly python libraries) for Quantum's core and its Linux bridge and Cisco plugins are already in Fedora. The ability to deploy Quantum's Open vSwitch plugin depends on inclusion of Features/Open vSwitch in Fedora 17, but there is no build dependency on that feature.

Contingency Plan
If the Quantum Essex schedule falls behind the Fedora 17 schedule, either the most recent available milestone release or a git snapshot will be shipped, and the package will be rebased to the final Essex release when it becomes available. If Features/Open vSwitch is not available, that plugin will not be supported. Integration with OpenStack Compute depends on Features/OpenStack Essex, but Quantum can be used standalone without it.

Documentation
See the upstream Quantum Admin Guide.

Release Notes

 * Fedora now includes the OpenStack Quantum virtual networking service, with plugins supporting realization of virtual L2 networks via Open vSwitch, Linux bridging, and certain Cisco products.

Comments and Discussion

 * See Talk:Features/OpenStack Quantum