How To Get Started With OpenStack
Try OpenStack
Option 1: Public Clouds on the Marketplace
To see how an OpenStack Cloud operates, you can quickly try one of the many OpenStack public clouds in production across the world with the swipe of a credit card. Find the list of public clouds on the OpenStack Marketplace.
Option 2: Local Dev Environment: devstack.org
With some technical skills, DevStack is a great option to install and run an OpenStack cloud on your laptop (or even inside the VM on a cloud). DevStack is ideal for potential users who want to see what the Dashboard looks like from an admin or user perspective, and OpenStack contributors wanting to test against a complete local environment.
Learn About OpenStack
OpenStack Documentation
Detailed OpenStack documentation, developer and administrator guides
OpenStack User Stories
Read about other users, like Cisco Webex and the San Diego Super Computer Center, who are solving real world problems with OpenStack today.
OpenStack Summit Videos
Experience the OpenStack Summit in HD, with over 300 sessions from leaders throughout the cloud computing industry.
Books
Several members of the community came together to produce the "OpenStack Operations Guide", now available electronically and in print. A portion of the proceeds benefit the OpenStack Foundation.
Deploy OpenStack
When choosing an open source cloud operating system, a vibrant commercial ecosystem is key to the long term viability of your platform choice. With OpenStack, there are over 180 participating companies and we encourage you to dig in and find the right path for you.
Distributions
To start, there are many ways to install and deploy OpenStack through software distributions, each of which add their own value to the cloud operating system. The OpenStack Marketplace includes a list of commercial software distributions powered by OpenStack. In addition to commercial offerings, OpenStack is also included with several non commercial linux distributions including Debian and Fedora.
Some Popular How-To Guides
Companies Who Can Help
There are many service companies that bring OpenStack expertise to the table. If you are looking for someone to guide you through these choices, help you execute your cloud strategy, provide support or training, the OpenStack Marketplace is a great place to start.
Download the Source Code
Most users get started by selecting a distribution from the Marketplace or by picking one of the options listed under "Install OpenStack" from the official documentation, but if you're interested in going straight to the source for each component, you can also download the source code. If you're a developer, also be sure to learn how to contribute.
OpenStack Tools
Once you have your OpenStack cloud up and running, you'll want to explore the many tools available to help you manage it. These are tools that talk to the OpenStack API and can be found by looking for the "OpenStack Compatible" logo.
Next Steps
Do you have more questions?
OpenStack strives to be an extremely helpful community. Try the new Ask.OpenStack.Org Q&A site.
