Open Stack

Hi everybody, 

I stumbled over a definition that explains the difference between a
Provider network and a self service network. [1] 

To summarize it says:
- Provider Network: primarily uses layer2 services and vlan segmentation
and cannot be used for advanced services (fwaas,..)
- Self-service Network: is Neutron configured to use a overlay network
and supports advanced services (fwaas,..)


But my understanding is more like this:
- Provider Network: The Openstack user needs information about the
underlying network infrastructure to create a virtual network that
exactly matches this infrastructure. 

- Self service network: The Openstack user can create virtual networks
without knowledge about the underlaying infrastructure on the data
network. This can also include vlan networks, if the l2 plugin/agent was
configured accordingly.


Did the meaning of a provider network change in the meantime, or is my
understanding just wrong?

Thanks!




[1]
http://docs.openstack.org/liberty/install-guide-rdo/overview.html#id4


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Andreas (IRC: scheuran)