How to Install OpenStack on Ubuntu 24.04: A Complete Beginner’s Guide

🧩 Introduction

Looking to build your own cloud environment without relying on external vendors like AWS or Azure? OpenStack is a powerful open-source solution that allows you to deploy and manage cloud infrastructure—on your own terms.

In this tutorial, you’ll learn how to install OpenStack on Ubuntu 24.04 LTS using DevStack—a convenient tool for setting up a development or testing environment.

☁️ What Is OpenStack?

OpenStack is an open-source cloud computing platform designed to manage large pools of compute, storage, and networking resources. It enables you to:

• Launch virtual machines (like EC2)
• Manage virtual networks and storage
• Provide multi-tenant cloud access
• Build private Infrastructure-as-a-Service (IaaS)

OpenStack is widely used by enterprises, universities, telecoms, and developers looking to build private or hybrid cloud infrastructure.

✅ System Requirements

Before starting the installation, make sure your system meets the following prerequisites:

Minimum Hardware

• Ubuntu 24.04 LTS (64-bit, clean install)
• At least 8GB RAM (16GB recommended)
• 2 or more CPU cores
• 50GB+ free disk space

Other Requirements

• Sudo/root access
• A stable internet connection
• Updated system packages:

  sudo apt update && sudo apt upgrade -y

🛠️ Step-by-Step: Installing OpenStack with DevStack

We’ll be using DevStack, a lightweight and developer-friendly OpenStack deployment tool that spins up a single-node environment (ideal for testing).

🔹 1. Create a Dedicated User

Create a new user called stack:

sudo adduser stack
sudo usermod -aG sudo stack

Then switch to that user:

su - stack

🔹 2. Clone the DevStack Repository

git clone https://opendev.org/openstack/devstack.git
cd devstack

🔹 3. Create a Configuration File

Inside the devstack folder, create a file named local.conf:

nano local.conf

Paste the following configuration:

[[local|localrc]]
ADMIN_PASSWORD=stack
DATABASE_PASSWORD=$ADMIN_PASSWORD
RABBIT_PASSWORD=$ADMIN_PASSWORD
SERVICE_PASSWORD=$ADMIN_PASSWORD
HOST_IP=127.0.0.1

Save and exit (CTRL+O, ENTER, then CTRL+X).

🔹 4. Start the Installation

Now start the OpenStack setup:

./stack.sh

🕒 Note: This process may take 15–30 minutes depending on your system and network speed.

🔹 5. Access the OpenStack Dashboard

Once complete, open your browser and go to:

http://<your-server-ip>/dashboard

Login using:

• Username: admin
• Password: stack (or the one you set in local.conf)

⚠️ Important Notes

• DevStack is for development or testing only, not production.
• For production-grade deployments, consider using Kolla-Ansible, OpenStack Helm, or Juju.
• You can manage services via the Horizon dashboard or OpenStack CLI tools.

🧽 How to Uninstall DevStack

If you want to remove DevStack from your system:

cd devstack
./unstack.sh
./clean.sh

🧠 Conclusion

Installing OpenStack on Ubuntu 24.04 using DevStack is a great way to get hands-on experience with cloud infrastructure. It’s fast, free, and an excellent starting point for anyone looking to explore private cloud solutions.

Whether you’re a DevOps engineer, a student, or an enterprise IT administrator—OpenStack gives you full control of your cloud.