InMotion Cloud

What is Horizon Dashboard in cloud hosting?

Horizon Dashboard is the web-based graphical interface for OpenStack. It provides a point-and-click way to manage cloud resources without using command-line tools. Through Horizon Dashboard, users can launch instances (virtual machines), create volumes, configure networks, manage security groups, and perform other cloud operations using their web browser.

Horizon Dashboard translates user actions into API calls to OpenStack services. When you click a button to create an instance, Horizon sends the appropriate commands to the OpenStack compute service. This makes cloud management accessible to users who prefer graphical interfaces over terminal commands.

Why the Horizon Dashboard exists

Managing cloud infrastructure through command-line tools requires memorizing commands, understanding API parameters, and writing scripts. Not all users have this technical background or want to work exclusively in terminals. Cloud administrators need a faster way to perform routine tasks without typing complex commands every time.

Without Horizon Dashboard, teams would need to train all users on OpenStack CLI commands. Simple tasks like checking instance status or creating a security group would require looking up syntax documentation. This creates barriers to cloud adoption and slows down daily operations.

What does the Horizon Dashboard actually do?

Provides a web interface for all major OpenStack services including compute, storage, networking, and identity management
Displays real-time information about instances, volumes, networks, and resource usage
Translates button clicks and form submissions into OpenStack API calls
Shows visual representations of infrastructure including network topology diagrams and resource graphs
Enforces role-based access control so users only see actions they are permitted to perform
Aggregates information from multiple OpenStack services into unified views
Validates user input before submitting requests to prevent common configuration errors
Generates downloadable configuration files and access credentials for instances and networks

When would I use the Horizon Dashboard?

You would use Horizon Dashboard for day-to-day cloud management tasks when a graphical interface is more convenient than command-line tools. Creating a new instance with specific network and storage configurations is faster through a form than constructing a complex CLI command. Checking the status of multiple resources across your cloud requires fewer steps when viewing a dashboard page versus running separate CLI queries.

Horizon Dashboard is valuable when training new team members on OpenStack. They can explore available options through dropdown menus and learn what configurations are possible without memorizing command syntax. The interface provides immediate visual feedback when actions succeed or fail.

Administrators use Horizon Dashboard to monitor resource quotas, view usage patterns across projects, and manage user permissions. These oversight tasks benefit from the consolidated views that Horizon provides rather than collecting information from multiple CLI commands.

When would I NOT use the Horizon Dashboard?

You would not use Horizon Dashboard for automated infrastructure deployment or configuration management. Automation tools need to execute operations programmatically without human interaction. These scenarios require direct API calls or CLI commands that can be scripted, scheduled, and version-controlled.

Horizon Dashboard is not suitable for high-frequency operations or bulk actions. Launching 50 instances one-by-one through the web interface is inefficient compared to running a single script. Large-scale infrastructure changes belong in automation pipelines, not web forms.

Advanced users who work primarily in terminals may find Horizon Dashboard slower than direct CLI commands. Experienced OpenStack operators can often type a command faster than navigating through web pages. The dashboard adds an extra layer between the user and the API that command-line tools bypass.

Horizon Dashboard cannot perform operations that are not exposed through its interface. Some OpenStack features or advanced configurations may only be available through direct API access or CLI tools. If your workflow requires these capabilities, the web interface will not be sufficient.

Real-world example

Company A runs a software development agency with 15 developers working on various client projects. Each project team needs isolated cloud environments for development, testing, and staging. The company uses OpenStack to provide these environments but developers have different technical skill levels. Some are comfortable with Linux terminals while others prefer graphical tools.

Company A deploys Horizon Dashboard as the primary interface for developers to manage their project resources. Developers log into Horizon, use the Project Selector to switch to their assigned project, and create instances from pre-approved images. They can attach volumes for database storage, configure security groups to allow specific ports, and view real-time resource usage against their project quotas.

The operations team uses Horizon Dashboard to monitor overall cloud health and manage user permissions across projects. They can quickly identify which projects are approaching quota limits and adjust allocations without writing scripts. When onboarding new developers, the operations team grants them access to Horizon and provides a brief tour of the interface rather than comprehensive CLI training.

For production deployments and infrastructure-as-code workflows, Company A uses Terraform scripts that call OpenStack APIs directly. Horizon Dashboard handles the interactive management tasks while automation handles repeatable deployments. This gives the team flexibility to use the right tool for each situation.

Frequently Asked Questions

Do I need to install anything to use the Horizon Dashboard?

No installation is required on your local computer. Horizon Dashboard runs on your OpenStack cloud provider's servers and you access it through any modern web browser. Your cloud provider will give you a URL to access Horizon Dashboard. You log in with your OpenStack credentials and can immediately start managing resources. If you cannot access the dashboard, contact your cloud provider to verify that Horizon is enabled for your account.

Can I manage resources created through CLI using the Horizon Dashboard?

Yes, Horizon Dashboard displays all resources in your OpenStack project regardless of how they were created. Instances launched via CLI commands, API calls, or automation tools all appear in the Horizon interface. You can view their details, modify their configurations, and delete them through the dashboard. The interface connects to the same OpenStack services that CLI tools use. Resources are stored in OpenStack databases, not tied to the creation method.

What happens if the Horizon Dashboard is unavailable?

Your running instances, volumes, and networks continue operating normally if Horizon Dashboard goes offline. The dashboard is a management interface, not part of the infrastructure itself. You can manage resources using OpenStack CLI tools or direct API calls while the dashboard is down. Your cloud provider should restore Horizon Dashboard access, but your infrastructure remains unaffected. If you cannot access any management interface including CLI, contact your provider's support team.

Does using the Horizon Dashboard cost extra?

No, Horizon Dashboard is a standard component of OpenStack and typically does not incur additional charges beyond your normal cloud resource costs. You pay for the instances, volumes, and networks you create, not for using the web interface to manage them. Different cloud providers may have different pricing models, but the dashboard itself is generally included. Check your provider's pricing documentation if you have concerns about management interface costs.

Can I customize what appears in the Horizon Dashboard?

Customization options depend on whether you are a cloud user or the cloud provider administrator. Regular users see the projects and resources they have permission to access based on their assigned roles. Cloud provider administrators can customize Horizon Dashboard by enabling or disabling specific panels, changing themes and branding, and configuring which OpenStack services appear in the interface. If you need different dashboard capabilities, discuss customization options with your cloud provider or administrator.

Summary

Horizon Dashboard is the web-based graphical interface for managing OpenStack cloud resources through a browser
It translates button clicks and form submissions into OpenStack API calls, making cloud management accessible without command-line knowledge
Users can launch instances, create volumes, configure networks, manage security groups, and perform other cloud operations through the web interface
Horizon Dashboard is ideal for interactive management tasks but should not be used for automation, bulk operations, or infrastructure-as-code workflows
The dashboard displays all resources in your project regardless of how they were created and continues to function alongside CLI and API access methods

Related terms

Instance (virtual machine): A running virtual server that you launch and manage through Horizon Dashboard, such as web servers, application servers, or development environments.
Volume (block storage): Persistent disk storage that you can attach to instances using Horizon Dashboard, such as data drives, database storage, or backup volumes.
Network (virtual network): Isolated network segments that you create and configure in Horizon Dashboard, such as private subnets, public networks, or VPN connections.
Security Group (firewall rules): Collections of network access rules that you define in Horizon Dashboard, such as allowing SSH access, opening web server ports, or blocking unwanted traffic.
Image (bootable template): Pre-configured operating system templates that you select when launching instances through Horizon Dashboard, such as Ubuntu 22.04, CentOS Stream 9, or custom application images.
Flavor (resource template): Predefined resource configurations that you choose in Horizon Dashboard when creating instances, such as small (2 vCPUs, 4GB RAM), medium (4 vCPUs, 8GB RAM), or large (8 vCPUs, 16GB RAM).
Project Selector (tenant switcher): The dropdown menu in Horizon Dashboard that lets you switch between different projects or organizations, such as development, staging, or production environments.