---
title: "Get Started with your OpenStack Cluster"
source: "https://docs.nexcess.com/hosting/hosting-services/get-started-with-your-openstack-cluster/"
description: "Elevate your web hosting with Managed Cloud Servers. Start with Web/File Server and Load Balancer nodes, expand horizontally, and enjoy Acronis backups."
vertical: "Hosting"
date: "2024-03-04"
last_modified: "2026-07-21"
---

# Get Started with your OpenStack Cluster

Our older OpenStack Cluster product offered a Web Server/File Server node and a Load Balancer node. Web nodes can be added to your Load Balancer, allowing your websites to scale horizontally. Acronis backups are included on the File Server and Load Balancer nodes also.

The File Server node is where website content is stored. Every File Server automatically makes your website content available to the Web nodes without requiring additional configuration.

The Load Balancer node is included for easy scalability. As your web hosting needs grow, Web nodes can be added to your [Load Balancer](https://www.liquidweb.com/hosting-add-ons/load-balancer-solutions/) for easy horizontal scalability.

## Navigating an OpenStack Cluster Project

When you purchased your OpenStack Clustered solution, a Project was automatically created to help organize your resources. The [Project Dashboard](https://docs.nexcess.com/hosting/portal/using-the-project-dashboard/) provides an easy to use interface for management.

The File Server, Load Balancer and Web nodes are all listed in the Servers section.

![project server list](https://docs.nexcess.com/wp-content/uploads/2026/06/help.liquidweb.com_iiNREa.png)Domains related to the Project can be viewed and managed from the Project Dashboard.

![projects domain list](https://docs.nexcess.com/wp-content/uploads/2026/06/help.liquidweb.com_dwug63.png)Acronis backup status and File Server replication status are listed for easy identification of potential problems.

![projects services list](https://docs.nexcess.com/wp-content/uploads/2026/06/help.liquidweb.com_fN5g6h.png)- ## [Manage OpenStack Cluster Backups](https://docs.nexcess.com/hosting/hosting-services/get-started-with-your-openstack-cluster/manage-openstack-cluster-backups/)
    
    Acronis Cyber Backups are included with the OpenStack Cluster Product. These backups cover both the Load Balancer and the File Server.
- ## [OpenStack Cluster Alerts](https://docs.nexcess.com/hosting/hosting-services/get-started-with-your-openstack-cluster/openstack-cluster-alerts/)
    
    At Liquid Web, we are continually monitoring the functionality and health of all our servers to make sure that our customers have the best experience possible.
- ## [Restarting a Virtual Machine on your OpenStack Server](https://docs.nexcess.com/hosting/hosting-services/get-started-with-your-openstack-cluster/restarting-a-virtual-machine-on-your-openstack-server/)
    
    Rebooting a OpenStack Server instance from your Liquid Web account is a simple process and only takes a few clicks. Make sure to save any configuration changes prior to rebooting.
- ## [Restore from an OpenStack Cluster Backup](https://docs.nexcess.com/hosting/hosting-services/get-started-with-your-openstack-cluster/restore-from-an-openstack-cluster-backup/)
    
    Acronis Cyber Backups are included with the OpenStack Cluster Product. These backups cover both the Load Balancer and the File Server.
- ## [Troubleshoot Unresponsive OpenStack Cluster WebNodes](https://docs.nexcess.com/hosting/hosting-services/get-started-with-your-openstack-cluster/troubleshoot-unresponsive-openstack-cluster-webnodes/)
    
    The process of troubleshooting unresponsive WebNodes on your Cloud Server environment is pretty simple.