Training-labs Python port¶

Problem description¶

Training labs is growing with ever increasing features and complexity. There is a demand from users to add support for more features and plugins like Public Cloud support. Moving to a modern programming language addresses many inherent limitations of Bash for the given use-cases. The following short comings, new feature demands are listed below which explain the need for this rewrite.

• Adding new functionality like public cloud support (AWS, GCE, RackSpace).
• Providing better support for Windows platform.
• Using better configuration format.
• Supporting multiple architectures for OpenStack.
• Reducing the complexity for better testing, bug fixing, and more.
• Better support for new features like PXE booting.
• Providing proper modularity and abstraction for the host side scripts.

Proposed change¶

Rewriting the host side scripts in Python. Host side scripts carry out tasks to orchestrate the hypervisors (KVM/VirtualBox) and manage virtual networks, provide logging, inject guest side scripts etc.

Initially, we plan to introduce Python scripts in parallel with existing Bash scripts to eliminate the impact of this change to the end-users. Once the Python port is tested, we will remove the host side Bash scripts. At this point the end-users will invoke training-labs via Python. The impact to the end-users is minimal to zero.

This is a major rewrite of the project and should impact the entire project itself. But the migration plans provide a safe way to implement this change and have minimal impact.

Implementation¶

Dependencies¶

• None

Testing¶

Mostly manual testing in the initial phases. During the latter part of the implementation, the CI system should also carry out automated testing.

References¶

None