Rackspace OpenStack Flex vs Rackspace Cloud
The differences of Rackspace OpenStack Flex and Rackspace Cloud
Understanding the Difference: Rackspace OpenStack Flex vs. Rackspace Cloud
For those using Rackspace services, you may have heard of theRackspace Cloud platform or our Rackspace OpenStack Flex platform. While they both offer public cloud-based multi-tenant infrastructure, they’re built on different underlying platforms, architecture, and OpenStack versions. This document is meant to highlight and understandsome of the key differences in the two platforms.
Platform Foundation
-
Rackspace Cloud
Launched years ago, this platform is proprietary and built using Rackspace's own custom technology stack but based around various versions OpenStack. -
Rackspace OpenStack Flex
Built to be more in-line with a single modern version of vanilla OpenStack, an open-source cloud platform. This allows more flexibility and compatibility with modern cloud-native tools and upstream OpenStack documentation.
Terminology
While there are many differences, there is a lot of similarity. Unfortunately, the two platforms do not always make use of the same terminology. As a result the terminology used for what is ultimately the same component may differ between the two platforms. Below is a table showing some of the key terms that you may be familiar with and what they are called on each platform.
| Component | Rackspace Cloud Term | OpenStack Flex Term |
|---|---|---|
| Control Panel | Cloud Control Panel (aka Reach) | Skyline |
| Server (Compute / VM) | Cloud Server | Compute Instance |
| Server Snapshot | Saved Image | Instance Snapshots |
| Load Balancer | Cloud Load Balancer | Load Balancer |
| Private Network | Cloud Network | Network |
| File Storage | Cloud Files | Object Storage |
| Storage Volumes | Cloud Block Storage (CBS) | Volume |
| Images | Base Images | Public Images |
| Identity Service | Cloud Identity | Keystone |
Know the Pros and Cons of Each Platform
Both platforms offer a robust array of products and services. It's important to understand the availability of features and services on each of the platforms. The tables below outline some of the details on each platform.
Rackspace Cloud
| Pros | Cons |
|---|---|
| Simple to Use Interface | Lack of CLI Support |
| CDN Object Storage Compatibility | Limited Customization |
| RackConnectv2 & RackConnectv3 Support | Older Platform |
| Database as a Service Support | Not Aligned with Vanilla OpenStack |
| Scheduled Snapshotting and Backup Services | Custom Images Not Officially Supported |
| Multiple Accounts Required for Segmentation |
Rackspace OpenStack Flex
| Pros | Cons |
|---|---|
| Flexible and Scalable | Steeper Learning Curve |
| Advanced Networking and Storage Options | RackConnect Not Currently Supported |
| OpenStack CLI Support | Requires Initial Network Setup |
| Newer Modern Hardware | Different UI for Each Region |
| License-Free Solution | |
| Security and Compliance Features | |
| Retained and Floating IP Addresses | |
| In Line with Upstream OpenStack | |
| Supports Custom Image Import | |
| Allows for Segmentation within Single Account |
Migration and Future Focus
Since we are continuing operate, maintain, and make slight improvements to our Rackspace Cloud platform, it is perfectly fine for customers to continue using its products and services. However, customers should be aware that they can build new projects out in Rackspace OpenStack Flex without interruption to any existing Rackspace Cloud workloads. This means customers can slowly migrate their workloads and spin up new projects on Racksapce OpenStack Flex to take advantage of the better performance, more modern tooling, and increased flexibility.
To see more about how to access and plan your migration to Rackspace OpenStack Flex, check our guides out here:
Accessing Rackspace OpenStack Flex
Planning a Migration to Rackspace OpenStack Flex
Summary
In summary, while we continue to operate, maintain, and improve on our Rackspace Cloud platform - focus on major improvements and new offerings will shift towards Rackspace OpenStack Flex.
Updated 21 days ago