The xlcloud project, initiated in early 2012, aims to create a high performance cloud computing platform using OpenStack for compute-intensive workloads such as interactive games and 3D graphics. It addresses common challenges in cloud computing including virtualization overhead and security concerns, while enhancing management features and providing GPU support. The project also encourages contributions to OpenStack, emphasizing community engagement and proactive participation.

1. Provisioning the Cloud within XLCloud
Sylvain Bauza
2013/11/14

2. XLcloud project
http://xlcloud.org/
A three-year long collaborative project
Funded by the French FSN (Fonds national pour la Société
Numérique) programme, started early 2012
Apache 2.0 license
Members
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Bull
Institut Telecom (Telecom Sud Paris)
Silkan
CEA List
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EISTI
ATEME
OW2
Inria RESO

3. Mission statement of XLcloud
The XLcloud project strives to establish the demonstration
of a High Performance Cloud Computing (HPCC)
platform based on OpenStack that is designed to run a
representative set of compute intensive workloads
including more specifically interactive games, interactive
simulations and 3D graphic applications.
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4. Common HPCC issues
Issues
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Virtualization overhead (5% to 30%)
especially for I/O
Large data volume transfers
Solutions
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HVM, LXC, bare-metal instances
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GPU support for compute and graphics
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Low latency / high bandwidth networks
Lack of mature management,
orchestration and monitoring features
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Security concerns (data privacy,
authorization)
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High performance full-bisection network with
traffic control
GUI & REST API (XMS) to manage and
monitor full software stacks
Strong and standard AuthN / AuthZ
protocols
Instances can be allocated on reserved,
dedicated and homogeneous HW with CPU
affinity

5. XLcloud interactions with OpenStack
Designed for DevOps minded users
to create and manage the life-cycle
of multi-tier middleware stacks
Vertically integrated with the
OpenStack CMS and physical infra
Advanced Identity & Access
Management integration
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6. Walkthrough of stack creation
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7. Deploying Openstack on baremetal
A three-step process:
Installing the OS
Installing the packages
Configuring Openstack
Various solutions :
MaaS/JuJu : Canonical
Crowbar : Suse
TripleO : Openstack On Openstack (official program, HP/RedHat)
Others...
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8. Foreman and Puppet
Foreman
Lifecycle management tool with “Smart Proxies”
Support of pre-seed (Ubuntu), Kickstart (RHEL) config files
Puppet SmartProxy : Puppet External Node Classifier (ENC)
Puppet manifests for Openstack
Stackforge projects, one per Openstack project
Librarian-puppet for managing dependencies
Definition of HostGroups and SmartVariables for managing
configuration of our clusters
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9. Foreman : hosts view
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10. Foreman : Puppet integration
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11. Provisioning the stack
Heat : should I present ?
Userdata usage with cfn-tools
Chef recipes
Chef-solo only
Synchronization/communication thanks to MCollective
Climate : A resource reservation service (0.1 by December)
Implements lease management
Plans to implement both virtual and physical resources (Vms, stacks,
compute hosts...)
TBD : Marconi for notifications, HOT software templates ?
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12. XLcloud contributions to OpenStack
Puppet for Openstack
Climate project
Heat
Ceilometer (KWAPI)
Nova (CPU affinity, GPU)
Neutron (Infiniband)
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13. How to contribute to OpenStack ?
https://wiki.openstack.org/wiki/How_To_Contribute
Very dynamic community with many skilled and creative people
Mailing lists and IRC channels are really important to learn, build
relationships and credibility
Don't wait for features to land, be proactive and show that you care
Test new features
Report bugs
Write documentation
Fix bugs
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14. Thank you. Any questions ?