Step 5: An overview of the most important OpenStackClient commands

Start

Now that you have installed the OpenStack client in Step 4, you will learn some important commands.

To get more information about a specific subcommand, append the --help flag to it.

To list all commands, you can use the --help flag:

openstack --help

Server

With the command openstack server you can create, administrate, or delete a VM.

Here is a list of some common commands:

• openstack server add Adds parameters (Fixed IP, Floating IP, Security group, Volume) to a VM
• openstack server create Creates a VM
• openstack server delete Deletes a VM
• openstack server list Shows a list of all VMs
• openstack server remove Removes parameters (Fixed IP, Floating IP, Security group, Volume) from a VM
• openstack server show Shows all important information about the specified VM

Stack

With the command openstack stack you are able to administrate complete stacks, like openstack server for instances.

Here is a list for some common commands:

• openstack stack create Creates a new stack
• openstack stack list Shows a list of all stacks
• openstack stack show Shows all important information about the specified stack
• openstack stack delete Deletes the specified stack

Security Group

Security Groups are used to allow or deny incoming and outgoing network traffic based on IP adresses and ports for VMs.

You can also manage security groups in the OpenStackClient.

Here are some common commands:

• openstack security group create Creates a new security group.
• openstack security group delete Deletes a security group
• openstack security group list Shows a list of all security groups
• openstack security group show Shows all important information about a security group
• openstack security group rule create Adds a rule for a security group
• openstack security group rule delete Deletes a rule in a security group

Network

To create VMs, a network is required. Here are some common network commands:

• openstack network create Creates a new network
• openstack network list Shows a list of all networks
• openstack network show Shows all important information about a network
• openstack network delete Deletes a network

Router

For the VMs on your network to reach the internet, you need a router. Here are some common router commands.

• openstack router create Creates a new router
• openstack router delete Deletes a router
• openstack router add port Adds a port to a router
• openstack router add subnet Adds a subnet to a router

Subnet

To use a virtual router correctly, you need a subnet that can be administrated with openstack subnet. Here are some common commands:

• openstack subnet create Creates a new subnet
• openstack subnet delete Deletes a subnet
• openstack subnet show Shows all infomation about a subnet

Port

Ports connect your VMs to your network. Here are some common commands:

• openstack port create Create a new port
• openstack port delete Deletes a port
• openstack port show Shows all infomation about a port

Volume

Volumes are storage locations that persist across the existence of individual instances. Here are some common commands:

• openstack volume create Creates a new Volume
• openstack volume delete Deletes a volume
• openstack volume show Shows all infomation about a volume

Conclusion

Now you know some common OpenStack commands, and have a better overview of the system.

These commands are required in the next steps and form the basis for the rest of the guided tour.

In Step 6, you will create and use your own SSH key pairs.