OpenStack API
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| OpenStack API | |
|---|---|
| Name | OpenStack API |
| Developer | OpenStack Foundation |
| Initial release | 2010 |
| Written in | Python |
| Operating system | Cross-platform |
| License | Apache License 2.0 |
OpenStack API The OpenStack API provides programmatic interfaces to control Rackspace, NASA, Red Hat, IBM, Canonical and other cloud computing resources developed under the OpenStack Foundation. It exposes RESTful endpoints that interact with services like Nova (software), Swift (software), and Neutron (software), enabling integration with orchestration systems such as Kubernetes, Ansible, Terraform (software), and CloudStack. Major adopters and contributors include HP, Cisco Systems, Intel, Dell Technologies, and Oracle Corporation.
Overview
OpenStack API defines how clients request compute, storage, and networking from projects including Nova (software), Glance (software), Cinder (software), Neutron (software), and Keystone (OpenStack). The API follows REST principles popularized by practitioners around Roy Fielding, and leverages patterns used by Amazon Web Services, Google Cloud Platform, and Microsoft Azure. The project has drawn participation from enterprises like Fujitsu, Samsung, VMware, Huawei, and research organizations such as Lawrence Livermore National Laboratory and Los Alamos National Laboratory.
Architecture and Components
The API surface maps to OpenStack projects: compute via Nova (software), image via Glance (software), block storage via Cinder (software), object storage via Swift (software), networking via Neutron (software), and identity via Keystone (OpenStack). Supporting components include telemetry from Ceilometer, orchestration from Heat (software), and database services via Trove (software). Integrations exist with configuration management tools like Puppet (software), Chef (software), and SaltStack, and with platforms such as OpenShift, Cloud Foundry, and Mesos.
Authentication and Authorization
Authentication is centralized through Keystone (OpenStack), which implements token issuance, service catalog, and federated identity using SAML and protocols influenced by OAuth and OpenID Connect. Keystone enables integration with identity providers including Active Directory, LDAP, and corporate SAML providers used by NASA or Rackspace. Role-based access control aligns with practices seen at Netflix (company), Facebook, and Twitter for large-scale multi-tenant deployments.
Core Service APIs
Core APIs expose resources: instances via Nova (software), images via Glance (software), volumes via Cinder (software), objects via Swift (software), and networks via Neutron (software). Additional service APIs include orchestration via Heat (software), bare metal provisioning via Ironic (software), and container orchestration via Zun (OpenStack). Metrics and monitoring integrate with Prometheus, Grafana, and logging solutions like Elasticsearch, Logstash, and Kibana.
API Design and Versioning
OpenStack APIs adopt semantic versioning patterns and microversioning approaches reflected in projects like Nova (software), enabling incremental changes similar to strategies used by GitHub and Stripe. API design uses RESTful resources, JSON payloads, and HTTP status codes consistent with practices promoted by Roy Fielding and adopted by Dropbox (service), Slack Technologies, and Pinterest. Version management facilitates compatibility for clients maintained by vendors like Red Hat and Canonical.
Client Libraries and SDKs
Client SDKs exist in languages such as Python, Go, Java, Ruby, and JavaScript, with upstream SDKs maintained by contributors including OpenStack Foundation, Red Hat, Canonical, and community members from IBM. Popular tooling includes python-openstackclient, os-client-config, and SDKs used by orchestration tools like Terraform (software) and configuration systems such as Ansible. Language ecosystems for SDKs mirror those of Google, Amazon, and enterprise SDKs from Microsoft.
Security, Rate Limiting, and Best Practices
Security practices recommend TLS as used by Let’s Encrypt, mutual TLS patterns seen at Apple Inc., and secrets management using systems like HashiCorp Vault. Rate limiting and API throttling strategies take cues from Twitter and GitHub to protect multi-tenant clouds. Best practices include RBAC via Keystone (OpenStack), auditing with Auditd-style tooling, vulnerability scanning with OpenSCAP, and compliance workflows inspired by NIST and ISO/IEC 27001 frameworks. Operators often follow deployment patterns from Red Hat, Canonical, and Mirantis to ensure hardened, scalable API endpoints.